GPM Ground Validation | Global Hydrology Resource Center (GHRC)
GPM Ground Validation

GPM Ground Validation

GHRC involvement in the NASA GPM GV program

The NASA Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPM) Ground Validation (GV) program, as a member of the broader NASA Precipitation Measurement Mission, is providing ground and airborne precipitation datasets supporting physical validation of satellite-based precipitation retrieval algorithms.

The requisite GV measurements include multi-frequency dual-polarimetric radar (S, C, X, Ka/Ku and W bands), airborne microphysical probe, radar and radiometer observations (e.g., provision of a GPM core satellite "proxy"), and ground-based disdrometer and raingauge network observations as a core instrument and measurement complement.

The GPM-GV instrument suite was deployed in numerous field campaigns in several different precipitation regimes. In addition to the ones listed below, these campaigns and regimes also include the NOAA Hydrometeorological Testbed-Southeast campaign (HMT-SE; North Carolina, Summer 2014) as well as international partner-lead field efforts such as the GPM-Brazil CHUVA campaign (2009-2013).

The associated GV measurements and observational strategies seek to advance our physical understanding of precipitation processes and assure consistency between this understanding and the representation of those physical processes in NASA GPM retrieval algorithms. The GPM Ground Validation program also supports a Validation Network (VN) that currently matches TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) rain rate and Precipitation Radar (PR) reflectivity and rain rate to ground‑based meteorological radars.

Additional GPM-GV datasets are available here, including APU, JW, C3VP, TWP-ICE, and 2DVD datasets.

GPM-GV Field Campaigns

Field research campaigns are essential for observing and measuring actual Earth system phenomena and validating computer models that simulate Earth systems. Ultimately, field data help improve the nation's ability to predict climate change and its impacts. The collaborative effort between Earth Scientists at the Global Hydrology and Resource Center (GHRC) and IT researchers has resulted in unique solutions to the collection, archive, management and dissemination of science data.

Olympic Mountains Ground Validation Experiment (OLYMPEX)

Hydrologic validation in extreme coastal and topographic gradients. Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Nov 2015-Feb 2016.

Integrated Precipitation and Hydrology Experiment (IPHEx)

Characterized warm season orographic precipitation regimes, and the relationship between precipitation regimes and hydrologic processes in regions of complex terrainNorth Carolina, Apr-June, 2014.

Iowa Flood Studies (IFloodS)

Studied characteristics, variability, and roles of rain and rainfall and other factors in flood genesis. Northeast Iowa, April-June 2013.

Mid-latitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E)

Collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility and NASA's GPM-GV program, to provide complete characterization of convective cloud systems, precipitation, and the environment. Ponca City, OK, April-May, 2011, partnered with DOE-ARM.

GPM Cold-season Precipitation Experiment (GCPEx)

Addressed shortcomings in GPM snowfall retrieval algorithm by collecting microphysical properties, associated remote sensing observations, and coordinated model simulations of precipitating snowOntario, Canada, Jan-Feb. 2012, partnered with Environment Canada.

Light Precipitation Evaluation Experiment (LPVEx)

Collected microphysical properties, associated remote sensing observations, and coordinated model simulations of high latitude precipitation systems. Helsinki, Finland, fall-winter 2010, partnered with CloudSat.