Evaluation of Satellite-Based Estimation Techniques for Improving Rainfall Monitoring as a Potential Water Resource in Arid Areas

In arid and semi-arid areas, rainfall represents a potential water source through harvesting and recharge of groundwater aquifers. Therefore, it is imperative that water resource managers and decision makers in such areas are equipped with analysis tools on how to predict rainfall amounts available for water management and conservation. The pronounced rainfall variability in arid areas makes rainfall monitoring using sparse rain gauges difficult and costly. In this paper, the potential of using satellite techniques for improving rainfall estimation as a potentially valuable water resource in arid areas is investigated. In particular, the study focuses on new satellite algorithms that are based on merging microwave and infrared observations and evaluates their utility for water resources management and savings. The analysis compares satellite rainfall estimates versus observations from surface rain gauges and provides insight on the accuracy of satellite rainfall estimation techniques methodologies. This work has significant implications for water resource management and conservation efforts and the use of rainfall as a potential water resource in arid areas in the face of increased water scarcity and anticipated global climate change.