Towards IMERG V07: Responses to the IMERG User Survey

Abstract:

In June 2020, the IMERG Algorithm Development Team released a user survey to solicit feedback and help prioritize enhancements for IMERG V07. At the core of the survey, the questions seek the opinions of users on the importance of various aspects of the algorithm, such as the continuity of IMERG, the use of daily gauges for adjustment, and improvement to the Quality Index. This presentation summarizes the feedback collected from the survey and outlines the Team’s responses. While most of the user feedback was largely in line with expectations—such as the high importance of the future continuity of IMERG—there were some surprising aspects. For example, users assigned high importance to switching from monthly to daily gauges, which involves substantial challenges that will likely exceed the developmental timeframe for V07. This presentation will highlight shifted priorities in response to the survey feedback, such as an increase in focus on improving the Quality Index. This presentation will also summarize and discuss the feedback received from the open questions, the most prominent of which is the limitation of IMERG over orography. Finally, this presentation will provide a preliminary glimpse of the likely developments for IMERG V07, shaped by the feedback received from the survey.