GPM Applications: Too Much Too Little

Water is fundamental to life on Earth. Knowing where and how much rain and snow falls globally is vital to understanding how weather and climate impact both our environment and Earth's water and energy cycles, including effects on agriculture, fresh water availability, and responses to natural disasters. Since rainfall and snowfall vary greatly from place to place and over time, satellites can provide more uniform observations of rain and snow around the globe than ground instruments, especially in areas where surface measurements are difficult. GPM's next-generation global precipitation data will lead to scientific advances and societal benefits in the following areas: Improved knowledge of the Earth's water cycle and its link to climate change New insights into precipitation microphysics, storm structures and large-scale atmospheric processes Better understanding of climate sensitivity and feedback processes Extended capabilities in monitoring and predicting hurricanes and other extreme weather events Improved forecasting capabilities for natural hazards, including floods, droughts and landslides. Enhanced numerical prediction skills for weather and climate Better agricultural crop forecasting and monitoring of freshwater resources.