THE GLOBAL PRECIPITATION CLIMATOLOGY PROJECT (GPCP) COMBINED PRECIPITATION DATASET

The Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) has released the G PCP Version 1 Combined Precipitation Data Set, a global, monthly preci pitation dataset covering the period July 1987 through December 1995. The primary product in the dataset is a merged analysis incorporating precipitation estimates from low-orbit-satellite microwave data, geosy nchronous-orbit-satellite infrared data, and rain gauge observations. The dataset also contains the individual input fields, a combination o f the microwave and infrared satellite estimates, and error estimates for each field. The data are provided on 2.5 degrees x 2.5 degrees lat itude-longitude global grids. Preliminary analyses show general agreem ent with prior studies of global precipitation and extends prior studi es of El Nino-Southern Oscillation precipitation patterns. At the regi onal scale there are systematic differences with standard climatologie s.