GPCC: Global Precipitation Climatology Centre

Teaser image
GPCC: Global Precipitation Climatology Centre
Main content

The GPCC provides gridded gauge-analysis products derived from quality controlled station data. Two products are for climate: (a) the Full Data Reanalysis Product  (1901-2010) is recommended for global and regional water balance studies, calibration/validation of remote sensing based rainfall estimations and verification of numerical models, and (b) the VASClimO 50-Year Data Set which is for climate variability and trend studies. The products are not bias corrected for systematic gauge measuring errors. However, the GPCC provides estimates for that error as well as the number of gauges used on the grid.

Key Strengths

Key Strengths

Large number of stations used; gauge network extends beyond GHCN

Key Limitations

Key Limitations

Variable number of stations per grid over time can be a major inhomogeneity source.

Monitoring products are frequently updated but climate products are not

Please cite data sources, following the data providers' instructions
Dataset DOIs
None
Hosted Climate Index Files
None
Usage Restrictions
None

Expert Developer Guidance

Expert Developer Guidance

The GPCC Full Data Reanalysis uses the complete GPCC station database (ca. 64.400 stations with at least 10 years of data) available at the time of analysis and therefore is recommended to be used for global and regional water balance studies, calibration/validation of remote sensing based rainfall estimations and verification of numerical models. When interpreting applications and assessments based on GPCC Full Data Reanalysis users should carefully take into account the number of stations available for a specific analysis grid in a specific month.

Cite this page

Acknowledgement of any material taken from or knowledge gained from this page is appreciated:

National Center for Atmospheric Research Staff (Eds). Last modified "The Climate Data Guide: GPCC: Global Precipitation Climatology Centre.” Retrieved from https://climatedataguide.ucar.edu/climate-data/gpcc-global-precipitation-climatology-centre on 2024-10-03.


Citation of datasets is separate and should be done according to the data providers' instructions. If known to us, data citation instructions are given in the Data Access section, above.


Acknowledgement of the Climate Data Guide project is also appreciated:

Schneider, D. P., C. Deser, J. Fasullo, and K. E. Trenberth, 2013: Climate Data Guide Spurs Discovery and Understanding. Eos Trans. AGU, 94, 121–122, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013eo130001

Key Figures

Climate Data Guide Image: GPCC precipitation for May,2012

GPCC precipitation for May,2012. (Figure produced via "GPCC Visualizer" tool)

Climate Data Guide Image: GPCC % of normal

GPCC percent [%] of normal for May 2012. (Figure produced via "GPCC Visualizer" tool)

Climate Data Guide Image: GPCC precipitation estimates

GPCC precipitation estimates (mm/day) for May 2012 [mm/month]. (Figure produced via "GPCC Visualizer" tool)

Climate Data Guide Image: GPCC: Number of station sused

Number of stations used by GPC for May 2012. (Figure produced via "GPCC Visualizer" tool)

Other Information

Earth system components and main variables
Type of data product
None

Years of record
to
Data time period extended
Yes, data set is extended
Timestep
Climatology, Daily, Monthly
Domain
Formats:
Input Data

station gague data

Vertical Levels:
Missing Data Flag
None
Ocean or Land
Land Only
Spatial Resolution

0.5x0.5, 1x1, 2.5x2.5

Model Resolution (reanalysis)
None
Data Assimilation Method
None
Model Vintage (reanalysis)
None