In addition to the January to March 1999 data, we successfully downloaded the April and May data from Remote Sensing System. We can now finish processing the monthly rain estimates 6 weeks after the month is over. With the new calibrated brightness data and modified radiative transfer calculations we found the new rainfall estimates are only slightly higher than the old version. GPCC is not able to distribute station-related observational data to others in order to respect the interests of the data suppliers. The gridsize is both 2.5 by 2.5 and 1 by 1 degree geographical latitude by longitude.
All data used are quality-controlled on high level with automatic plus visual checks.
New gridded data sets were created during 2nd quarter of 1999 for the months December 1998 until April 1999. The database is presented in Tables 2 and 3. NASA DAAC has published a CD ROM containing GPCC's landsurface monthly precipitation for the period January 1986 to December 1997. 2.4.2.2 Extended Database Product Status as before. The mirror is updated once per month so far.