Precipitation Systems Climatology (PCS)
Precipitation systems climatology is one of the key scientific disciplines at IARSc. Precipitation systems exist world wide and the associated distribution of rain totals has been studied. However, the temporal and spatial structure of the systems has been investigated only based on Case studies. Recent advent of space technology and the satellite missions, such as TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) and GPM (Global Precipitation Measurement) enabled study of precipitation system climatology. However, these studies are still in the beginning phase, and a long way remains in front of us to gain deeper understanding.
The objective here is to address new challenges in both science and engineering aspects of this subject, particularly, the key science issues, the new measurements, advancement in algorithm development, and the new satellite mission required to meet all these aspects.
JAXA’s PMM (Precipitation Measuring Mission) team is working for rain estimate algorithm development, ground validation, and characteristics of precipitation systems using data from TRMM or GPM core satellite. JAXA is also investigating a kind of GPM follow-on mission. The probable scientific objectives of the GPM follow-on mission are
- Cloud-precipitation transition processes.
- Dynamics of precipitation systems.
- Climatology of precipitation systems, etc.
Solid precipitation is, of course, a new challenge. New satellite measurements may need
- Doppler function.
- Better horizontal resolution.
- Better temporal resolution.
- Better sensitivity, etc.