But TRMM is at least enabling experts to generate data for tropical rainfall averages taken over the past few years with a measure of accuracy never before possible. The following images show rainfall averages on a monthly time scale for territory beneath TRMM's ground track. About two thirds of all the Earth's rain falls in the tropics. Moreover, the energy released by that rain accounts for the vast majority of energy released in the atmosphere. As we come to better understand the rain on a planetary scale, we also begin to understand the processes describing localized rainfall events around the world.
Blue regions show low quantities, while yellows and reds show high quantities.
Rainfall anomalies also allow experts to study local or regional changes in climate. As we'll see in the next section, anomalous rainfall measurements can be harbingers of change, as in the case of desertification in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, or severe short term events, such as the intense floods of Mozambique in early 2000 or the pounding rains of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. Capturing Heavy Precipitation - The following visualizations focus on specific, localized rainfall events in different parts of the world. Notice how the relative rainfall intensity over each area suddenly increases around to the dates of each event. By studying events like these, experts hope to gain insight into better forecasting techniques, as well as provide broader analysis into regional and global climate change.