First GPM Data Now Public

The first set of data from the Global Precipitation Measurement mission is now available to the public.

The data set consists of GPM Microwave Imager instrument observations, called brightness temperatures. Brightness temperatures are a measurement of naturally occurring energy radiated, in this case, by precipitation particles like raindrops or snowflakes. Other data sets, like the rain rate information, will be released later this summer. By themselves, however, the brightness temperatures convey valuable data on the location and structure of storm systems – including tropical cyclones and hurricanes. The earlier-than-expected data release is part of an effort to give forecasters the best possible data for the full summer Atlantic hurricane season.

13 GMI channelsGMI has 13 channels that observe different types of precipitation – liquid, mix and ice – inside storm clouds. Shown here is one of GMI's first images of an extra-tropical cyclone in the Pacific Ocean observed on March 10.
Credit: NASA Goddard Science Visualization Studio/JAXA

All GPM data products will be released to the public by September 2. Current and future data sets are available to registered users from NASA Goddard's Precipitation Processing Center website at: http://pps.gsfc.nasa.gov/

Hurricane Cristina in the Eastern Pacific GMI data that sees inside storms will complement data from other satellites such as this June 12 visible light image of Hurricane Cristina in the Eastern Pacific from NASA's Terra satellite. 
Credit: NASA Goddard MODIS Rapid Response Team