Precipitation

"In meteorology, precipitation (also known as hydrometeor) is any product of the condensation of atmospheric water vapor that is deposited on the earth's surface. It occurs when the atmosphere (being a large gaseous solution) becomes saturated with water vapors and the water condenses and falls out of solution (i.e., precipitates) Air becomes saturated via two processes, Cooling and Adding Moisture. Precipitation that reaches the surface of the earth can occur in many different forms, including rain, freezing rain, snow, sleet, and hail." (European Environmental Agency, 2019)

“Precipitation is a key hydrological and climate variable and includes both the liquid (rain) and solid (snow and ice) forms. Precipitation occurs when a particle formed by the condensation of water vapor becomes heavy enough to fall under the force of gravity. Precipitation can be measured at any vertical level in the atmosphere, but it is the amount that falls at Earth’s surface that is most relevant for people.” (“Rain Rate” 2025)

Sources

European Environmental Agency. "Water glossary". Accessed March 2, 2019. Available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/glossary

“Rain Rate.” 2025. Accessed September 22. https://www.remss.com/measurements/rain-rate/.

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Monitoring Precipitation from Space

Global Precipitation Measurements Constellations

In recent years, with the rapid development of satellite-based Earth observation technologies, more and more quasi-global satellite products observe the Earth.

Space technologies for drought monitoring and management

The impacts of climate change are ever more apparent. The frequency and scale of devastation and destruction of weather hazards are on an increasing trend. According to the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report (IPCC, 2021) climate change is intensifying the water cycle. This will cause more intense droughts in many regions. Moreover, water-related extremes impact the quality of life disproportionately strong. Drought accounts for 25% of all losses from weather-related disasters in the United States of America (Hayes et al., 2012).

Relation of extreme precipitation with temperature: How do open-access global gridded datasets work in a hydrometeorological study?

Analysts have long noted that extreme precipitation appears to intensify with temperature at a rate of around 7%/°C, which is governed by the Clausius-Clapeyron (CC) equation. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the spatio-temporal properties of hourly precipitation and daily dew point temperature. Specifically, the global gridded products of bias-corrected Climate Prediction Center morphing technique (CMORPH-CRT) and ERA5 reanalysis were applied for nine locations in the world. The results show that significant spatial heterogeneity in extreme precipitation scaling is present at the selected locations, which might be attributed to local conditions, such as regional climate and the proximity to humidity sources. Despite the potential limitations, this study provides insight into the application of high-resolution open-access global gridded products in analysing precipitation scaling.

Space technologies for drought monitoring and management

Technologies Spatiales pour la Surveillance et la Gestion de la Sécheresse

Merci à Mussa Kachunga Stanis d'avoir traduit cet article volontairement.

Technologies Spatiales pour la Surveillance et la Gestion de la Sécheresse

Merci à Mussa Kachunga Stanis d'avoir traduit cet article volontairement.

Global Precipitation Mission: Improved, accurate and timely global precipitation information

Continuous and reliable global precipitation information is crucial for myriad of weather, climate and hydrological applications. The importance of precipitation in the form of rain, hail, sleet, snow etc. is known to science and clear to a layman. However, it’s quite tricky to measure past precipitation trends or predicting accurate future forecasts. There are three main categories of precipitation data sets available: ground based, satellite-based and blended products of ground and space data (Climate Data Guide, 2014).

ARSET - Water resource management using NASA Earth science data

Overview:

This online course covers precipitation (rainfall and snow fraction), soil moisture, evapotranspiration, runoff and streamflow, groundwater, and lake level heights. Participants are introduced to a number of NASA data products.

Objective:

Participants will be able to use NASA remote sensing observations and land-atmosphere models to:

ARSET - Introduction to Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) data and applications

Overview:

This online training introduces participants to the data and applications of the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission. GPM is an international satellite mission that provides next-generation observations of rain and snow worldwide every three hours.

ARSET - Applications of GPM IMERG reanalysis for assessing extreme dry and wet periods

Overview:

It is well recognized that long-term precipitation measurements are necessary for understanding and monitoring regional precipitation characteristics. This includes characteristics crucial for monitoring water resources and hazards, like floods and droughts. TRMM was the first NASA mission dedicated to observing precipitation. It operated from November 1997 to April 2015. The Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Mission launched in February 2014 as a follow-on to TRMM.

Women and their everyday lives related to Water: Yamileth Campos-Garita, Costa Rica

The use of septic tanks to dispose of wastewater is a significant problem in our community. In many cases, technical criteria was not taken into account for the proper design of wastewater systems. Besides, there are cases where it is evident that the groundwater levels and the capacity of filtration of the soil are not adequate to dispose of wastewater. Because of this situation, the ASADA is carrying out a study of the existing septic tanks in the area that will serve as input for the development of the sewerage project.

GPM/DPR : Global Precipitation Measurement/Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar

The 21st century is often called "the century of water." Water is an essential element of the Earth's environment and is indispensable for our life and economic activities. Many places in the world now face water problems, such as water shortages and floods, which can cause food shortages, epidemic diseases, and so on. In addition to these problems, global warming and climate change affect the global water cycle and result in abnormal weather, such as frequent heavy rains and droughts.

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) is a world-leading independent research institute focused on delivering integrated environmental science to address some of the most pressing challenges facing society and the planet. With over 50 years of expertise, UKCEH operates at the interface of ecology, hydrology, atmospheric science, and data science, providing evidence and tools to support sustainable environmental management.

Gu

Jiayue Gu

PhD Candiate at Tongji University

Jiayue Gu is a doctoral candidate at the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tongji University in China. She graduated from Hohai University with a bachelor’s degree in 2017. She researches in the field of hydrological response under climate change. She researched rainfall prediction, based on a stacking ensemble model and future rainfall changes under different shared socio-economic pathways (SSPs), based on CMIP6 in the Taihu basin, China. She is also a volunteer at China Clean Air Policy Partnership (CCAPP).

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Article

Monitoring Precipitation from Space

Space technologies for drought monitoring and management

Relation of extreme precipitation with temperature: How do open-access global gridded datasets work in a hydrometeorological study?

Space technologies for drought monitoring and management

Technologies Spatiales pour la Surveillance et la Gestion de la Sécheresse

Technologies Spatiales pour la Surveillance et la Gestion de la Sécheresse

Global Precipitation Mission: Improved, accurate and timely global precipitation information

Capacity Building and Training Material

ARSET - Water resource management using NASA Earth science data

Overview:

Objective:

ARSET - Introduction to Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) data and applications

Overview:

ARSET - Applications of GPM IMERG reanalysis for assessing extreme dry and wet periods

Overview:

Local Perspectives Case Studies

Women and their everyday lives related to Water: Yamileth Campos-Garita, Costa Rica

Project / Mission / Initiative / Community Portal

GPM/DPR : Global Precipitation Measurement/Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar

Stakeholder

UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology

Person

Jiayue Gu

Space-based Solution

Rainwater harvesting in Samburu County – in development

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