Relationship between rainfall intensity and cloud brightness temperature measured through MTSAT-IR geo-stationary satellite application

Station-based rainfall data are usually used in forecasting and estimating areal rainfall patterns. The use of radar in estimating and predicting areal rainfall, however, has its own weakness in terms of being limited within restricted regions as well as requiring high expertise in calibration works and involving enormous costs. This article analysed the relationship between cloud brightness temperature based on geostationary MTSAT-IR satellite and rainfall intensity in urban areas. The application of the MTSAT-IR satellite in this study is based on its high temporal frequency of images (24 images/day) and moderate spatial resolutions (4km/pixel). This preliminary investigation proved that the cloud temperature information both from infrared and water vapour bands has the capability of estimating rainfall intensity during the study period. However, substantial works have to be done before a valid rainfall estimation model based on the MTSAT-IR satellite images can be developed.