Differing Estimates of Observed Bangladesh Summer Rainfall

Abstract The differences in boreal summer (June–August) monthly-mean rainfall estimates over the Indian Ocean region in five research-quality products are examined for the period 1979–2003. Two products derived from the merged satellite and surface observations are considered: the Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) and the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP). In addition, three products derived solely from rain gauge observations are considered: the Chen et al. product; the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) product; and a new, objectively analyzed product based on the Climate Anomaly Monitoring System (CAMS) dataset. Significant discrepancies have been found between the different products across the entire Indian Ocean region, with the greatest disagreement over Burma and neighboring Bangladesh. These differences appear to…