I have measured my rainfall for more than 20 years using a rain gauge and when I check the Mean Annual Depth for my location I can see that the satellite measurements are within 0.4" (10.2mm) of my measured mean annual totals. The satellite data suggests a larger amount than that actually measured but I know that the area of the calculation is pretty large, about 50 sq miles whereas my data comes from a single point source within that rectangle.
I notice that your stats come from the time period 2001-2020. Mine cover 2002-2022. Is it possible for you to add the more recent data from 2021-2022? I have found that the long-term mean appears to be increasing for my area of North Texas (climate change is giving my area more rainfall). Data that I have from the period 1981-2010 shows mean total that is 1.7" (43.2mm) lower than that from my own measurements for the time period 2011-2020.
It may be worth considering using current data as a flash flood likelihood tool. Use drought monitoring data combined with projected rainfall as a predictive tool for flash floods.
Areas that are in drought may be more flood-prone due to vegetation loss and the first rain that falls can quickly trigger flash flooding if the rain event is a heavy downpour. It takes time to wet the surface enough to capture rainfall instead of having it all run off.
Another predictive tool could be for flash flooding or landslide probability using drought and wildfire data as a predictive tool. That would be a value-add for your customers.
At my location we are in an extreme drought. As of today we are 14.4" (365.8mm) below the 21 year mean accumulated rainfall for this calendar date. We ended last year with a 13.5" (342.9mm) deficit relative to the 21 year mean annual total. Last year was the second driest year in the last 21 years and at this point in time we are 1.4" (35.6mm) under the accumulation relative to this date last year. I have not noticed the beneficial effects of the El Nino so far but my data indicates that we will likely end next year well above normal accumulation if the El Nino holds. El Nino years tend to give us 120 - 200% of our mean annual accumulation during the first year and then tail off into the next La Nina.
I have measured my rainfall for more than 20 years using a rain gauge and when I check the Mean Annual Depth for my location I can see that the satellite measurements are within 0.4" (10.2mm) of my measured mean annual totals. The satellite data suggests a larger amount than that actually measured but I know that the area of the calculation is pretty large, about 50 sq miles whereas my data comes from a single point source within that rectangle.
I notice that your stats come from the time period 2001-2020. Mine cover 2002-2022. Is it possible for you to add the more recent data from 2021-2022? I have found that the long-term mean appears to be increasing for my area of North Texas (climate change is giving my area more rainfall). Data that I have from the period 1981-2010 shows mean total that is 1.7" (43.2mm) lower than that from my own measurements for the time period 2011-2020.
It may be worth considering using current data as a flash flood likelihood tool. Use drought monitoring data combined with projected rainfall as a predictive tool for flash floods.
Areas that are in drought may be more flood-prone due to vegetation loss and the first rain that falls can quickly trigger flash flooding if the rain event is a heavy downpour. It takes time to wet the surface enough to capture rainfall instead of having it all run off.
Another predictive tool could be for flash flooding or landslide probability using drought and wildfire data as a predictive tool. That would be a value-add for your customers.
At my location we are in an extreme drought. As of today we are 14.4" (365.8mm) below the 21 year mean accumulated rainfall for this calendar date. We ended last year with a 13.5" (342.9mm) deficit relative to the 21 year mean annual total. Last year was the second driest year in the last 21 years and at this point in time we are 1.4" (35.6mm) under the accumulation relative to this date last year. I have not noticed the beneficial effects of the El Nino so far but my data indicates that we will likely end next year well above normal accumulation if the El Nino holds. El Nino years tend to give us 120 - 200% of our mean annual accumulation during the first year and then tail off into the next La Nina.
Good site. I like this.