Evaluating TRMM multi-satellite precipitation analysis using gauge precipitation and MODIS snow-cover products

The Tropical RainfallMeasuringMission(TRMM)Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis(TMPA)3B 42 product is evaluated using the gaugeprecipitations from 650 weather stations across China at daily, monthly and annual tine steps.The TMPA-3B42 performance accuracy is also assessed using theModerate Resolution Inaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) daily snow-cover product for the Tibetan Plateau region.Results show that TMPA-3B42 performs well at coarse temporal resolutions.However, less satisfactory result is obtained at the daily tine step.At the same temporal resolution, the humid region TMPA-3B42 performs better than the arid region ones.An exception is found for regionswith the annual precipitation excess the 2500 mm threshold.During winter, the average difference between the TMPA-3B42 product and the MODIS snow-coverproduct is only around 15% at a regional scale.However, the difference can be as high as 40% if only the region's snow covered areas are considered in the product comparison, which indicates that the TMPA-3B42 product is less skilful in winter.The MODIS snow-cover product can thus be used to improve the performance of TMPA-3B42.