Evaluation of GPM-based Multi-satellite IMERG Precipitation Products Over the Lower Colorado River Basin, Texas

This study evaluates the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) satellite products by analyzing extreme rainfall events over the Lower Colorado River Basin, Texas that resulted in unprecedented flash floods in May 2015. Records of a dense rain gauge network (241 stations) are compared with Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) products. The spatial resolution of the GPM satellite product is 0.1° x 0.1° and the temporal resolution is 30 minutes. Reference gauge-based observations are distributed through the basin with total area of over 5,000 square kilometers at 15-minute time intervals. A preliminary assessment of GPM-based IMERG precipitation products shows reasonable correlation, especially when for periods of high amounts of rainfall. the results indicate that GPM satellite products can potentially be employed in hydrologic modeling, especially for large events. Moreover, since the IMERG products have semi-global coverage, it can be extremely useful in hydrological modeling and analysis studies over ungauged or poorly gauged regions.