Validation of the Persiann-CDR rainfall data over Uganda

Abstract

Precipitation is arguably the meteorological phenomenon that has the greatest impact on human activity. Therefore, having an appropriate approach for rainfall prediction makes it possible to take preventive measures especially to curb its associated impacts.Precipitation measurement continues to present a great challenge to the scientific community, mainly due to its spatiotemporal

variability. This research aimed at assessing the accuracy of the PERSIANN-CDR rainfall data product compared to ground-based observations over Uganda from 2008 to 2018, as a means to improve on rainfall measurement systems in the country. The main objective of this study was to establish a relationship between the PERSIANN-CDR satellite data and ground observations over Uganda.The study found out that the PERSIANN-CDR satellite under estimated rainfall over most parts of Uganda (especially the northern and western parts) and also under estimated the MAM and SON seasonal means over the study period with only a few over estimations of the seasons in selective years. Further, the satellite rainfall peaked at relatively the same time with the ground observations for the MAM season across the study period while for the SON season it peaked sequentially at the same time, or earlier and a little later than ground observations. Therefore, the validation of more satellite rainfall products can be further explored to improve on the quality of rainfall information that is acquired for forecasting, model simulations and hydrological purposes.