Assessment of Rainfall Estimates from the TRMM-3B43 Product in the State of Amazonas

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to evaluate the rainfall data via satellites in Amazonas state, Brazil. To this end, the estimates from the TRMM-3B43 product (2004-2008) were compared with data from seven Conventional Weather Stations (CWS). The comparison was based on the following statistical parameters: Average Error (AE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), linear correlation coefficient (r), and Wilmott’s index of agreement (d). The TRMM-3B43 estimates were similar to the surface data and represent well the seasonal variability of rainfall. The data showed high linear correlation (r = 0.83), high index of agreement (d = 0.85), and satisfactory RMSE (66.6 mm/month). Therefore, rainfall estimates from the TRMM-3B43 product can be used as an alternative source of quality data.