10-years (1998-2007) of monthly precipitation data from TRMM TMI and PR are used to examine the relations between tropical rainfall and surface temperature. A technique is developed to adjust the PR monthly rainfall data to account for the effect of the TRMM orbit boost in August 2001. The relationships between the tropical rainfall and surface temperature are then examined. It is found that the PR surface precipitation-temperature slopes do not confirm slopes based on passive microwave observations. This may be a result of PR retrieval error, or inherent passive/ active retrieval differences.

The analysis of TRMM precipitation estimates from various instruments and techniques has led to development of a 10-year TRMM Composite Climatology. This approach uses three estimates of surface rainfall both over ocean and land (different combinations) and gives both a mean value and an estimate of variation or error. This approach will help provide a TRMM-based overview answer to questions as to rainfall climatology in the Tropics and an excellent product to compare with pre-TRMM climatologies.