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Evaluating Satellite Precipitation Products for Hydro-Meteorological Applications

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Research conducted by Jimma University and published in the journal Discover Sustainability has found that satellite precipitation products have the potential to be used in hydro-meteorological applications, but require further refinement. The study analyzed rainfall data from Modjo catchment in central Ethiopia using ground observations and two satellite datasets, CHIRPS v2.0 and PERSIANN-CDR, from 1985 to 2020.

The research employed different statistical metrics to investigate the performance of satellite precipitation products, and the results indicate that CHIRPS v2.0 outperformed PERSIANN-CDR in terms of correlations, errors, and model efficiency. Trend analysis using the Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, and ITA revealed divergent patterns, with satellite data suggesting strong annual and Kiremt increases at Ejere and Modjo, while PERSIANN-CDR indicated decreasing trends.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated the performance and detected trends in annual and seasonal rainfall across Modjo catchment in central Ethiopia using ground observations and two satellite datasets (CHIRPS v2.0 and PERSIANN-CDR) from 1985 to 2020.
  • CHIRPS v2.0 outperformed PERSIANN-CDR, exhibiting stronger correlations (R = 0.885-0.915), lower errors (RMSE: 40.16-47.72 mm; MAE: 24.68-28.01 mm), higher model efficiency (NSE: 0.770-0.816), and minor underestimation (PBIAS: 6.22-7.65%).
  • Trend analysis using the Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, and ITA revealed divergent patterns, with satellite data suggesting strong annual and Kiremt increases at Ejere and Modjo, while PERSIANN-CDR indicated decreasing trends.
  • The study concludes that satellite precipitation products show strong potential for hydro-meteorological applications, though further refinement is needed.
  • The research highlights the importance of conjunction with ground observation datasets to ensure more reliable results for climate trend analysis.

Statistics:

  • The study analyzed rainfall data from Modjo catchment in central Ethiopia using ground observations and two satellite datasets (CHIRPS v2.0 and PERSIANN-CDR) from 1985 to 2020.
  • The research employed different statistical metrics to investigate the performance of satellite precipitation products, including correlations (R = 0.885-0.915), errors (RMSE: 40.16-47.72 mm; MAE: 24.68-28.01 mm), model efficiency (NSE: 0.770-0.816), and bias (PBIAS: 6.22-7.65%).
  • Trend analysis using the Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, and ITA revealed divergent patterns, with satellite data suggesting strong annual and Kiremt increases at Ejere and Modjo, while PERSIANN-CDR indicated decreasing trends.

Sources:

  • Wakjira Takala Dibaba et al. (2025). Evaluation of accuracy and changing rainfall trends of gridded satellite precipitation products: a comparative analysis with ground observations over the Modjo catchment, central Ethiopia. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1-25.
  • NewsRx. (2025, September 5). Reports Outline Sustainability Research Study Findings from Jimma University (Evaluation of accuracy and changing rainfall trends of gridded satellite precipitation products: a comparative analysis with ground observations over the Modjo ...). Ecology, Environment & Conservation, p 909.

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