A comparative analysis of precipitation estimates of cyclone Shaheen and Al Azm trough using GPM-based near-real-time satellite

Abstract

The knowledge of the expected amounts and location of precipitation is crucial to avoid disasters, especially in arid countries—like the Sultanate of Oman—which is subjected to flash floods and tropical storms. Oman has experienced two flash floods that caused significant losses of lives and severe damage. According to recent literature, trying to collect precipitation data using ground means only is an almost impossible task. The GPM-based near-real-time satellite precipitation estimates are specifically designed to set a new standard for the measurements of precipitation using advanced radar technology in which a radar pulse for electromagnetic energy is used to determine the reflection of the hydrometeors in the atmosphere. However, the evaluation of the accuracy of these technologies is important before using them in any application. This study aims to compare precipitation estimates obtained from the Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) and global satellite mapping of precipitation GSMaP with the ground data obtained from the rain gauges during the two most recent flash floods in Oman, Shaheen cyclone and Al Azm trough, using several representative statistic metrics—qualitative and quantitative. Results show that GSMaP_NRT gave slight errors in estimations that varied between overestimations and underestimations but gave an excellent performance when it comes to the detection capability. Such study investigates the appropriation of using these satellite means and flood mitigation and warning systems as well as the recommendations found to improve their algorithm.