Summary
This comparative evaluation assessed 17 gridded rainfall products (satellite-based and reanalysis) combined with 6 temperature datasets in a fully distributed hydrological model across the semi-arid Volta River basin in West Africa. Model outputs were validated against in situ streamflow and satellite remote-sensing data for evaporation, soil moisture, and water storage. The findings reveal substantial performance variability across datasets and climatic zones, with implications for selecting appropriate meteorological forcing for hydrological modelling in data-sparse regions.
UK applicability
This study focuses on semi-arid West African hydrology and the suitability of satellite-based and reanalysis datasets in that region. Direct applicability to UK conditions is limited, though the methodological framework for evaluating gridded meteorological datasets could inform similar assessments in regions with sparse in situ monitoring networks.
Key measures
Model performance in simulating streamflow, actual evaporation, soil moisture temporal and spatial patterns, and terrestrial water storage; bias-insensitive metrics for assessing meteorological forcing impact on spatial patterns
Outcomes reported
The study compared 17 precipitation and 6 temperature datasets (102 combinations total) as inputs to a hydrological model, evaluating their ability to simulate streamflow, actual evaporation, soil moisture, and terrestrial water storage across the Volta River basin. Performance varied substantially across datasets and climatic zones, with TAMSAT, CHIRPS and PERSIANN-CDR performing best for streamflow simulation.
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