Recorded presentationJ10.1
Can satellite-derived rainfall really detect urban rainfall anomalies?
Marshall Shepherd, Univ. of Georgia, Athens, GA; and S. Burian and M. Jin
Satellite precipitation observations continue to be useful in identifying rainfall anomalies that may be associated with urbanization anthropogenic aerosols. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) is an advanced orbiting platform with multiple rainfall measuring instruments in the visible, infrared, and microwave (active and passive) regimes. We presented evidence (Shepherd et al. 2002) that TRMM could identify possible urban-induced rainfall anomalies. With the more advanced Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission on the horizon, it is important to establish the viability of these missions for studying urban-climate-water cycle interactions. This need is particularly critical since the most rapid urbanization is taking place in parts of the world that do not have robust ground observing networks. Here, we present continued evidence of urban rainfall anomalies from TRMM-based data. More importantly, TRMM's data record now exceeds 10-years and provides an ever-lengthening climatological record.
Joint Session 10, Urban Precipitation Patterns
Monday, 12 January 2009, 1:30 PM-2:30 PM, Room 124B
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