Bias correction of satellite and reanalysis products for daily rainfall occurrence and intensity

Fuente: arXiv
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Autori principali: Bagiliko, John, Stern, David, Torgbor, Francis Feehi, Parsons, Danny, Ansah, Samuel Owusu, Ndanguza, Denis
Natura: Preprint
Pubblicazione: 2025
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author Bagiliko, John
Stern, David
Torgbor, Francis Feehi
Parsons, Danny
Ansah, Samuel Owusu
Ndanguza, Denis
author_facet Bagiliko, John
Stern, David
Torgbor, Francis Feehi
Parsons, Danny
Ansah, Samuel Owusu
Ndanguza, Denis
contents In data-sparse regions, satellite and reanalysis rainfall estimates (SREs) are vital but limited by inherent biases. This study evaluates bias correction (BC) methods, including traditional statistical (LOCI, QM) and machine learning (SVR, GPR), applied to seven SREs across 38 stations in Ghana and Zambia. We introduce a constrained LOCI method to prevent the unrealistically high rainfall values produced by the original approach. Results indicate that statistical methods generally outperformed machine learning, though QM tended to inflate rainfall. Corrected SREs showed high capability in detecting dry days (POD $\ge$ 0.80). The ENACTS product, which integrates numerous station records, was the most amenable to correction in Zambia; most BC methods reduced mean error at >70% of stations. However, ENACTS performed less reliably at an independent station (Moorings), highlighting the need for broader validation at locations not incorporated into the product. Crucially, even after correction, most SREs (except ENACTS) failed to improve the detection of heavy and violent rainfall (POD $\le$ 0.2). This limits their utility for flood risk assessment and highlights a vital research gap regarding extreme event estimation.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2510_27456
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Bias correction of satellite and reanalysis products for daily rainfall occurrence and intensity
Bagiliko, John
Stern, David
Torgbor, Francis Feehi
Parsons, Danny
Ansah, Samuel Owusu
Ndanguza, Denis
Applications
J.2; I.2
In data-sparse regions, satellite and reanalysis rainfall estimates (SREs) are vital but limited by inherent biases. This study evaluates bias correction (BC) methods, including traditional statistical (LOCI, QM) and machine learning (SVR, GPR), applied to seven SREs across 38 stations in Ghana and Zambia. We introduce a constrained LOCI method to prevent the unrealistically high rainfall values produced by the original approach. Results indicate that statistical methods generally outperformed machine learning, though QM tended to inflate rainfall. Corrected SREs showed high capability in detecting dry days (POD $\ge$ 0.80). The ENACTS product, which integrates numerous station records, was the most amenable to correction in Zambia; most BC methods reduced mean error at >70% of stations. However, ENACTS performed less reliably at an independent station (Moorings), highlighting the need for broader validation at locations not incorporated into the product. Crucially, even after correction, most SREs (except ENACTS) failed to improve the detection of heavy and violent rainfall (POD $\le$ 0.2). This limits their utility for flood risk assessment and highlights a vital research gap regarding extreme event estimation.
title Bias correction of satellite and reanalysis products for daily rainfall occurrence and intensity
topic Applications
J.2; I.2
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2510.27456