THE APPROACH TO REMOTE SENSING OF WATER VAPOR BASED ON GPS AND LINEAR REGRESSION Tm IN EASTERN REGION OF CHINA

The approach to remote sensing of water vapor by using global positioning systems(GPS) isdiscussed.In order to retrieve the vertical integrated water vapor(IWV) or the precipitable water(PW),the weighted "mean temperature" of the atmosphere,T_m would be estimated to the specificarea and season.T_m depends on surface temperature,tropospheric temperature profile,and thevertical distribution of water vapor.The surface temperature dependence is borne out by acomparison of T_m and the values of surface temperature T_s using radiosonde profiles of BeijingStation(No.54511) throughout 1992.The analysis of radiosonde profiles spanning a one-yearinterval(1992) from sites in eastern region of China with a latitude range of 20-50°N and alongitude range of 100-130°E yields the coefficients a and b of a linear regression equation T_m=a+bT_s.     

Satellite monitoring of global land cover changes and their impact on climate

Land cover is a crucial, spatially and temporally varying component of global carbon and climate systems. Therefore accurate estimation and monitoring of land cover changes is important in global change research. Although, land cover has dramatically changed over the last few centuries, until now there has been no consistent way of quantifying the changes globally.In this study we used long-term climate, soils data along with coarse resolution satellite observations to quantify the magnitude and spatial extent of global land cover changes due to anthropogenic processes. Differences between potential leaf area index, derived from climate-soil-leaf area equilibrium and actual leaf area index obtained from satellite data were used to estimate changes in land cover.Forest clearing for agriculture and irrigated farming in arid and semi-arid lands are found to be two major sources of climatically important land cover changes. Satellite derived Spectral Vegetation indices (SV I) and surface temperatures (T s) show strong impact of land cover changes on climatic processes. Irrigated agriculture in dry areas increased energy absorption and evapotranspiration (ET) compared to natural vegetation. On the other hand, forest clearing for crops decreased energy absorption andET. A land cover classification and monitoring system is proposed using satellite derivedSV I andT s that simultaneously characterize energy absorption and exchange processes. This completely remote sensing based approach is useful for monitoring land cover changes as well as their impacts on climate. Monitoring the spatio-temporal dynamics of land cover is possible with current operational satellites, and could be substantially improved with the Earth Observing System (EOS) era satellite sensors.     

An analogue model to derive additional climate change scenarios from existing GCM simulations

 Changes in land surface driving variables, predicted by GCM transient climate change experiments, are confirmed to exhibit linearity in the global mean land temperature anomaly, ΔT _l . The associated constants of proportionality retain spatial and seasonal characteristics of the GCM output, whilst ΔT _l is related to radiative forcing anomalies. The resultant analogue model is shown to be robust between GCM runs and as such provides a computationally efficient technique of extending existing GCM experiments to a large range of climate change scenarios. As an example impacts study, the analogue model is used to drive a terrestrial ecosystem model, and predicted changes in terrestrial carbon are found to be similar to those when using GCM anomalies directly. Received: 4 January 1999 / Accepted: 11 December 1999     

Modeling water and heat balance components for the river basin using remote sensing data on underlying surface characteristics

The method of the AVHRR-3 (NOAA) radiometer measurement data subject processing is produced for the retrieval of underlying surface temperature and several vegetation characteristics under cloud-free conditions. A technology for deriving the values of these parameters from the MODIS (EOS/Terra and Aqua) radiometer data is developed. The estimation of the temperature and vegetation characteristics is carried out for the Seim River basin (Kursk region) with the catchment area of 7460 km² for 2003–2005 vegetation seasons. Practical coincidence of estimations of AVHRR- and MODIS-derived temperatures, as well as the coincidence with ground observation results, is revealed. Statistics of these estimation errors is analyzed. Satellite-derived estimations of land surface temperature (LST) and vegetation characteristics are used for the calibration and verification of the developed model of the vertical heat and water transfer in the soil-vegetation-atmosphere system (SVAT). The model is intended for calculations of evapotranspiration, soil water and heat content, latent and sensible heat fluxes, and other water and heat balance components. The abilities to compute these parameters using the satellite estimations of the leaf area index and projective vegetation cover fraction as the model parameters and LST satellite estimations as the model input variable are investigated.     

Variance Method to Determine Turbulent Fluxes of Momentum And Sensible Heat in The Stable Atmospheric Surface Layer

Evidence is presented that in the stable atmospheric surface layer turbulent fluxes of heat and momentum can be determined from the standard deviations of longitudinal wind velocity and temperature, σ _u and σ _T respectively, measured at a single level. An attractive aspect of this method is that it yields fluxes from measurements that can be obtained with two-dimensional sonic anemometers. These instruments are increasingly being used at official weather stations, where they replace the standard cup anemometer–wind vane system. With methods such as the one described in this note, a widespread, good quality, flux network can be established, which would greatly benefit the modelling community. It is shown that a ‘variance’ dimensionless height (ζ _σ) defined from σ _u and σ _T is highly related to the ‘conventional’ dimensionless stability parameter ζ=z/L, where z is height and L is the Obukhov length. Empirical functions for ζ _σ are proposed that allow direct calculation of heat and momentum fluxes from σ _u and σ _T. The method performs fairly well also during a night of intermittent turbulence.     

Monin–Obukhov Similarity Functions of the Structure Parameter of Temperature and Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation Rate in the Stable Boundary Layer

The Monin–Obukhov similarity theory (MOST) functions f_ε and f_T, of the dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). ε, and the structure parameter of temperature, C_T², were determined for the stable atmospheric surface layer using data gathered in the context of CASES-99. These data cover a relatively wide stability range, i.e. ζ=z/L of up to 10, where z is the height and L the Obukhov length. The best fits were given by f_ε = 0.8 + 2.5ζ and f_T= 4.7[ 1+1.6(ζ)^2/3], which differ somewhat from previously published functions. ε was obtained from spectra of the longitudinal wind velocity using a time series model (ARMA) method instead of the traditional Fourier transform. The neutral limit f_ε =0.8 implies that there is an imbalance between TKE production and dissipation in the simplified TKE budget equation. Similarly, we found a production-dissipation imbalance for the temperature fluctuation budget equation. Correcting for the production-dissipation imbalance, the ‘standard’ MOST functions for dimensionless wind speed and temperature gradients (φ_m and φ_m) were determined from f_ε and f_T and compared with the φ_m and φ_h formulations of Businger and others. We found good agreement with the Beljaars and Holtslag [J. Appl. Meteorol. 30, 327–341 (1991)] relations. Lastly, the flux and gradient Richardson numbers are discussed also in terms of f_ε and f_T.     

Spatial gridding of daily maximum and minimum 2 m temperatures supported by satellite observations

The usefulness of two remotely sensed variables, land surface temperature (LST) and cloud cover (CC), as predictors for the gridding of daily maximum and minimum 2 m temperature (T _min/T _max) was assessed. Four similar gridding methods were compared, each of which applied regression kriging to capture the spatial variation explained by the predictors used; however, both methods differed in the interpolation steps performed and predictor combinations used. The robustness of the gridding methods was tested for daily observations in January and July in the period 2009–2011 and in two different regions: the Central European region (CER) and the Iberian Peninsula (IP). Moreover, the uncertainty estimate provided by each method was evaluated using cross-validation. The regression analyses for both regions demonstrated the high predictive skills of LST for T _min and T _max on daily and monthly timescales (and lower predictive skills of CC). The application of LST as a predictor considerably improved the gridding performance over the IP region in July; however, there was only a slight improvement over the CER region. CC reduced the loss of spatial variability in the interpolated daily T _min/T _max values over the IP region. The interpolation skill was mainly controlled by the station density, but also depended on the complexity of the terrain. LST was shown to be of particular value for very low station densities (1 station per 50,000 km²). Analyses with artificially decreasing station densities showed that even in the case of very low station densities, LST allows the determination of useful regression functions.     

我国东西部地区地气温差的年代际变化特征

利用1960~2006年我国地温、气温逐日4个时次[02:00(北京时间,下同)、08:00、14:00和20:00]的台站观测资料,计算并分析了我国东南、西北地区各季地气温差的年代际变化特征。分析结果表明:我国东南部地区各季地气温差在20世纪70年代末以前,大部分年份偏高,高于平均值,而在20世纪70年代末以后,我国东南部地区各季地气温差偏低,在夏季和冬季表现尤为明显。我国西北地区春季和夏季地气温差在20世纪70年代末以前大部分年份偏低,低于平均值;而在20世纪70年代末以后,地气温差则大部分年份明显偏高。我国西北地区秋季地气温差的年代际变化特征不明显,而冬季地气温差的年代际变化趋势与春夏季相反,在20世纪70年代末以前大部分年份偏高,高于平均值,而在20世纪70年代末以后偏低。另外,发现地温和气温对我国东南、西北地区各季地气温差的年代际变化在各季所起的贡献作用不同。     

The urban heat island of Bucharest during the extreme high temperatures of July 2007

This paper explores the characteristics of the air (T_air) and land surface temperature (LST) from the city of Bucharest (Romania) during the extreme high temperatures that affected the region in July 2007. The behavior of Bucharest’s Urban Heat Island (UHI) is quantitatively described following similar methodological approaches to previous studies. The analysis integrates thermal data supplied by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors aboard the NASA satellites and meteorological data provided by the ground-based weather stations. Based on the T_air, one may claim that during extreme high summer temperatures, the UHI preserves its spatial and temporal pattern regarding the differences between the central urban perimeter and the suburban area. The investigation of the LST from July 2007 reveals that the nocturnal changes refer mainly to the magnitude and the limits of the UHI, while the shape is not changed. However, the extreme temperatures induce significant modifications of the features of the diurnal UHI, obliterating and dissipating it in certain spots, enlarging it and creating shifted heat islands in some other spots. The main explanation is the outstanding duration and intensity of the hot mass of air impacting the area. The correlations between the T_air measured at the weather stations in Bucharest and the corresponding LST retrieved significant values both under “normal” conditions and extreme temperature persistence, and offer good premises for robust validation studies. The MODIS products performed like an extremely useful instrument for analyzing the UHI.     

FY-3A陆表温度反演及高温天气过程动态监测

采用FY-3A/VIRR数据,利用Becker局地分裂窗改进算法反演得到逐日陆表温度 (LST), 对2009年一次高温天气过程进行动态监测, 并分析不同下垫面的热环境变化。结果显示:此过程中可见光红外扫描辐射计 (VIRR) 陆表温度产品在敦煌辐射校正场地两次验证的误差为-0.17 K和1.77 K,与同时间过境的MODIS产品均方根误差为2.64 K,直方图对比陆表温度的频数分布基本一致;对高温天气过程监测发现,此次出现以华北的石家庄、郑州、北京等地和西北地区东部的西安等地为中心的两个陆表温度高值区, 部分地区达到了320.2 K以上;城市剖面资料证实城市热岛现象存在,并发现工矿用地的热岛效应不容忽视,主要是大面积的工矿用地周围植被破坏严重,地表增温更为显著。     

Tropical cyclones and polar lows: Velocity,size, and energy scales,and relation to the 26°C cyclone origin criteria

The goal of this paper is to quantitatively formulate some necessary conditions for the development of intense atmospheric vortices. Specifically, these criteria are discussed for tropical cyclones (TC) and polar lows (PL) by using bulk formulas for fluxes of momentum, sensible heating, and latent heating between the ocean and the atmosphere. The velocity scale is used in two forms: (1) as expressed through the buoyancy flux b and the Coriolis parameter l_c for rotating fluids convection, and (2) as expressed with the cube of velocity times the drag coefficient through the formula for total kinetic energy dissipation in the atmospheric boundary layer. In the quasistationary case the dissipation equals the generation of the energy. In both cases the velocity scale can be expressed through temperature and humidity differences between the ocean and the atmosphere in terms of the reduced gravity, and both forms produce quite comparable velocity scales. Using parameters b and l_c, we can form scales of the area and, by adding the mass of a unit air column, a scale of the total kinetic energy as well. These scales nicely explain the much smaller size of a PL, as compared to a TC, and the total kinetic energy of a TC is of the order 10¹⁸-10¹⁹ J. It will be shown that wind of 33 m s^-1 is produced when the total enthalpy fluxes between the ocean and the atmosphere are about 700 W m^-2 for a TC and 1700 W m^-2 for a PL, in association with the much larger role of the latent heat in the first case and the stricter geostrophic constraints and larger static stability in the second case. This replaces the mystical role of 26^oC as a criterion for TC origin. The buoyancy flux, a product of the reduced gravity and the wind speed, together with the atmospheric static stability, determines the rate of the penetrating convection. It is known from the observations that the formation time for a PL reaching an altitude of 5--6 km can be only a few hours, and a day, or even half a day, for a TC reaching 15--18 km. These two facts allow us to construct curves on the plane of T^s and ΔT=T_s-T_a to determine possibilities for forming an intense vortex. Here, T_a is the atmospheric temperature at the height z=10 m. A PL should have ΔT>20^oC in accordance with the observations and numerical simulations. The conditions for a TC are not so straightforward but our diagram shows that the temperature difference of a few degrees, or possibly even a fraction of a degree, might be sufficient for TC development for a range of static stabilities and development times.     

Modeling land surface phenology in a mixed temperate forest using MODIS measurements of leaf area index and land surface temperature

The development of satellite-derived vegetation indices and metrics has enabled researchers to monitor land surface phenology (LSP). While the use of satellite data to monitor LSP is prevalent, there has been minimal effort to model LSP in temperate climates using satellite observations of the land surface. Satellite-derived LSP models are beneficial for studying past and future changes in phenology and related ecosystem processes (e.g., water, energy, and carbon fluxes). The purpose of this study was to model LSP during the spring in a mixed temperate forest using satellite-derived measurements of leaf area index (LAI) and land surface temperature (LST). As part of the model validation process, the use of LST as a proxy for air temperature to model LSP was also investigated. The results indicate that LST derived from the MODIS Terra sensor at 10:30?a.m. (local solar time) can be used to develop a LSP model that predicts the full profile of LAI from winter dormancy to maturity and the date when LAI reaches half of the annual maximum (LAI_50%) with relatively low error. In addition, the modeled LAI values closely tracked in situ observations of the phenological development of the dominant deciduous tree species located in the study area where the model was developed. A comparison of LST and daily maximum air temperature at two levels above the ground surface revealed distinct differences and nonlinearities in the relationship between these two variables. However, accumulated growing degree-days calculated from each of these variables were similar because the largest differences between LST and daily maximum air temperature occurred prior to the beginning of heat accumulation. Consequently, the model predictions of LAI_50% derived from the use of LST and daily maximum air temperature were similar. When the developed model was applied in two other mixed forests, the errors were larger due to substantial interannual variability in the relationship between LAI and heat accumulation and systematic differences in this relationship between sites. Although the model cannot be successfully applied in these other mixed forests, the ability of the model to capture a consistent relationship between satellite estimates of LAI and LST in the study area where it was developed demonstrates that satellite observations of the land surface can be used in certain locations to create LSP phenology models. When validated, the models can be used to examine past and future changes in phenology and related ecosystem processes.     

Kinetic investigation of the OH + CH3Br reaction between 248 and 390 K

The rate parameters for the reaction of the OH radical with CH₃Br have been measured using the discharge flow-electron paramagnetic resonance method. The result isk ₁=(1.86±0.48)×10^–12 exp[–(1230±150)/T] cm³ molecule^–1 s^–1. This value is compared to earlier data and is found to be in excellent agreement with the most recent results, which greatly increases the accuracy of the ozone depletion potential of CH₃Br which can be derived from these kinetic data.     

Impact of absorbing aerosol deposition on snow albedo reduction over the southern Tibetan plateau based on satellite observations

We investigate the snow albedo variation in spring over the southern Tibetan Plateau induced by the deposition of light-absorbing aerosols using remote sensing data from moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) aboard Terra satellite during 2001–2012. We have selected pixels with 100 % snow cover for the entire period in March and April to avoid albedo contamination by other types of land surfaces. A model simulation using GEOS-Chem shows that aerosol optical depth (AOD) is a good indicator for black carbon and dust deposition on snow over the southern Tibetan Plateau. The monthly means of satellite-retrieved land surface temperature (LST) and AOD over 100 % snow-covered pixels during the 12 years are used in multiple linear regression analysis to derive the empirical relationship between snow albedo and these variables. Along with the LST effect, AOD is shown to be an important factor contributing to snow albedo reduction. We illustrate through statistical analysis that a 1-K increase in LST and a 0.1 increase in AOD indicate decreases in snow albedo by 0.75 and 2.1 % in the southern Tibetan Plateau, corresponding to local shortwave radiative forcing of 1.5 and 4.2 W m⁻², respectively.

     

Atmospheric turbidity of urban and desert areas of the Nile Basin in the aftermath of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption

Summary  The Linke T _L , ?ngstr?m β and Unsworth-Monteith δ _a turbidity parameters are investigated for two sites in Egypt: Cairo, a densely populated urban area, and Aswan, an arid unpolluted area. These three turbidity parameters are calculated from broadband pyrheliometric measurements recorded hourly over the period 1992–96. Monthly averages of T _L , β and δ _a show relatively flat and identical seasonal variations with a marked main maxima during spring at both sites, due to Khamsin depressions coming from the Great Sahara. A secondary maximum is observed at Aswan in summer, due to dust haze which prevails during that season, and at Cairo in autumn, due to the northern extension of the Sudan monsoon trough, which is accompanied by small scale depressions with dust particles. Annual mean values of T _L , β and δ _a (5.59, 0.250 and 0.372, respectively) at Cairo are larger than at Aswan (3.89, 0.139 and 0.213, respectively). In the same way, the seasonal mean values of T _L , β and δ _a at Cairo are larger than at Aswan. More generally, the monthly and yearly average turbidity values are significantly larger in Cairo than in Aswan for the whole period 1992–96, which is attributable in part to the urbanization/industrialization effect of Cairo. An estimate of the corresponding overburden is obtained by comparison between the present data and older T _L data from 1922–27. It is also shown that turbidity over both sites is largest during 1992, just after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. The dependence of β on some meteorological parameters such as wind speed and direction, precipitable water, relative humidity, temperature and visibility, is also analyzed. This reveals in particular that visibility is not a good predictor of turbidity at either site. Conversely, the wind direction and speed have a definite effect on turbidity, and consequently, largest turbidities occur when the wind carries aerosols from the main industrial particle source areas around Cairo. For any season of the year, the average turbidity at the latter site is larger than that at other big cities such as Athens, Rome, and Toronto, but is lower than at Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Received February 3, 2000 Revised August 25, 2000     

Evaluation of Haney-Type Surface ThermalBoundary Conditions Using a CoupledAtmosphere and Ocean Model

A coupled atmosphere-ocean model developed at the Institute for Space Studies at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Russell et al., 1995) was used to verify the validity of Haney-type surface thermal boundary condition, which linearly connects net downward surface heat flux Q to air / sea temperature difference △T by a relaxation coefficient k. The model was initiated from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) atmospheric observations for 1 December 1977, and from the National Ocean Data Center (NODC) global climatological mean December temperature and salinity fields at 1° ×1° resolution. The time step is 7.5 minutes. We integrated the model for 450 days and obtained a complete model-generated global data set of daily mean downward net surface flux Q, surface air temperature TA,and sea surface temperature To. Then, we calculated the cross-correlation coefficients (CCC) between Q and △T. The ensemble mean CCC fields show (a) no correlation between Q and △T in the equatorial regions, and (b) evident correlation (CCC≥ 0.7) between Q and △T in the middle and high latitudes.Additionally, we did the variance analysis and found that when k= 120 W m-2K-1, the two standard deviations, σQ and σk△T, are quite close in the middle and high latitudes. These results agree quite well with a previous research (Chu et al., 1998) on analyzing the NCEP re-analyzed surface data, except that a smaller value of k (80 W m-2K-1) was found in the previous study.     

北半球夏季对流性降水特征及其与厄尔尼诺的关系

利用2003—2014年6—8月CMORPH 3 h卫星降水资料,统计分析北半球夏季对流性降水的空间分布,发生的概率,日变化以及其对厄尔尼诺事件的响应等特征。结果表明,对流性降水在6—8月除了发生于热带辐合带等海域外,北美中部,东南亚和热带非洲等陆地区域更为突出。其降水强度发生在10~11 mm·h-1之间的概率最大,极端强对流性降水发生在陆地上的概率大于海洋。对流性降水的日变化表现为,陆地上于傍晚(18—20时)和夜间(22—01时)有两个峰值;海洋上对流性降水多出现于夜间到早晨这段时间,而下午出现的概率最低。厄尔尼诺发展年,海洋上对流性降水增强,而陆地上发生的概率总体偏小,衰减年则相反;中国东部,尤其是长江以南地区的非对流性降水在厄尔尼诺发展年,多于正常年,与对流性降水的响应不一致。     

梅汛期区域性暴雨的多尺度分析及临近预警

利用常规观测数据、NECP1°×1°逐6 h再分析资料、FY2E卫星黑体亮度温度TBB资料以及南京、常州多普勒天气雷达产品,对2012年江苏出梅之前的最后一场区域性暴雨过程进行多尺度分析。在此基础上,探索该类暴雨的临近预警线索,结果表明:(1)此次过程的雨带呈准纬向分布,属于典型的梅汛期静止锋降水。过程中主要有两次降水集中时段,两个阶段的降水性质存在差异,但都具备较高的降水效率。(2)中高纬大范围稳定的阻塞形势,为此次持续性暴雨过程的产生提供了有利的大尺度环流背景。而在此过程中,两段降水集中期的形成与地面触发系统的出现和维持有着较为密切的联系。(3)此次过程中两段降水集中期内的物理量特征以及TBB的演变情况和其对应的降水特征存在异同。(4)雷达特征分析表明,此次过程具有较高的降水效率和较长的持续时间。实际业务工作中可以通过判断回波的质心高度和边界层风速有无跃增来估计降水效率的潜势。当推断较高的降水效率潜势将持续较长时间时,应及时发布暴雨警报。     

Rate constants for the reactions of the NO3 radical with HCOOH/HCOO− and CH3COOH/CH3COO− in aqueous solution between 278 and 328 K

The kinetics of the aqueous phase reactions of NO₃ radicals with HCOOH/HCOO^– and CH₃COOH/CH₃COO^– have been investigated using a laser photolysis/long-path laser absorption technique. NO₃ was produced via excimer laser photolysis of peroxodisulfate anions (S₂O ₈ ^2– ) at 351 nm followed by the reactions of sulfate radicals (SO ₄ ^– ) with excess nitrate. The time-resolved detection of NO₃ was achieved by long-path laser absorption at 632.8 nm. For the reactions of NO₃ with formic acid (1) and formate (2) rate coefficients ofk ₁=(3.3±1.0)×10⁵ l mol^–1 s^–1 andk ₂=(5.0±0.4)×10⁷ l mol^–1 s^–1 were found atT=298 K andI=0.19 mol/l. The following Arrhenius expressions were derived:k ₁(T)=(3.4±0.3)×10¹⁰ exp[–(3400±600)/T] l mol^–1 s^–1 andk ₂(T)=(8.2±0.8)×10¹⁰ exp[–(2200±700)/T] l mol^–1 s^–1. The rate coefficients for the reactions of NO₃ with acetic acid (3) and acetate (4) atT=298 K andI=0.19 mol/l were determined as:k ₃=(1.3±0.3)×10⁴ l mol^–1 s^–1 andk ₄=(2.3±0.4)×10⁶ l mol^–1 s^–1. The temperature dependences for these reactions are described by:k ₃(T)=(4.9±0.5)×10⁹ exp[–(3800±700)/T] l mol^–1 s^–1 andk ₄(T)=(1.0±0.2)×10¹² exp[–(3800±1200)/T] l mol^–1 s^–1. The differences in reactivity of the anions HCOO^– and CH₃COO^– compared to their corresponding acids HCOOH and CH₃COOH are explained by the higher reactivity of NO₃ in charge transfer processes compared to H atom abstraction. From a comparison of NO₃ reactions with various droplets constituents it is concluded that the reaction of NO₃ with HCOO^– may present a dominant loss reaction of NO₃ in atmospheric droplets.     

The frequency, intensity, and diurnal cycle of precipitation in surface and satellite observations over low- and mid-latitudes

Global precipitation data sets with high spatial and temporal resolution are needed for many applications, but they were unavailable before the recent creation of several such satellite products. Here, we evaluate four different satellite data sets of hourly or 3-hourly precipitation (namely CMORPH, PERSIANN, TRMM 3B42 and a microwave-only product referred to as MI) by comparing the spatial patterns in seasonal mean precipitation amount, daily precipitation frequency and intensity, and the diurnal and semidiurnal cycles among them and with surface synoptic weather reports. We found that these high-resolution products show spatial patterns in seasonal mean precipitation amount comparable to other monthly products for the low- and mid-latitudes, and the mean daily precipitation frequency and intensity maps are similar among these pure satellite-based precipitation data sets and consistent with the frequency derived using weather reports over land. The satellite data show that spatial variations in mean precipitation amount come largely from precipitation frequency rather than intensity, and that the use of satellite infrared (IR) observations to improve sampling does not change the mean frequency, intensity and the diurnal cycle significantly. Consistent with previous studies, the satellite data show that sub-daily variations in precipitation are dominated by the 24-h cycle, which has an afternoon–evening maximum and mean-to-peak amplitude of 30–100% of the daily mean in precipitation amount over most land areas during summer. Over most oceans, the 24-h harmonic has a peak from midnight to early morning with an amplitude of 10–30% during both winter and summer. These diurnal results are broadly consistent with those based on the weather reports, although the time of maximum in the satellite precipitation is a few hours later (especially for TRMM and PERSIANN) than that in the surface observations over most land and ocean, and it is closer to the phase of showery precipitation from the weather reports. The TRMM and PERSIANN precipitation shows a spatially coherent time of maximum around 0300–0600 local solar time (LST) for a weak (amplitude <20%) semi-diurnal (12-h) cycle over most mid- to high-latitudes, comparable to 0400–0600 LST in the surface data. The satellite data also confirm the notion that the diurnal cycle of precipitation amount comes mostly from its frequency rather than its intensity over most low and mid-latitudes, with the intensity has only about half of the strength of the diurnal cycle in the frequency and amount. The results suggest that these relatively new precipitation products can be useful for many applications.