Evaluation of products 3B42 v7 and 3IMERG for the hydroclimatic regions of Chile

Data provided by products 3B42 V7 (TRMM) and its successor 3IMERG (GPM) are compared with discrete rainfall information throughout the Chilean territory covering four macro hydroclimatic zones. Precipitation data was obtained from weather stations available on a daily basis from the 1930s to present. A total of 143 stations were chosen and rainfall estimates performed for years 2014 through 2018. Applying the same metrics we showed how GPM performances improve as the temporal aggregation increases. Several drawbacks were detected in the coastal areas, which were characterized by lower accuracy performances than internal areas. However, the 3IMERG product could be a strong source of data to study the impact that climatic disturbances have on the hydrologic cycle in the Central and South zones of Chile. Additionally, its offers a fundamental source of data for remote zones or areas where access is complicated to install weather stations. [Display omitted] •3B42 V7 and 3IMERG SRE products were evaluated for four hydroclimatic zones.•Results showed that latitude, season, and topography affect the SRE estimations.•GPM estimates rainfall occurrence and amounts better than TMPA.