Assessing satellite and reanalysis-based precipitation products in cold and arid mountainous regions

Study region: The Xiying and Heihe River basins, cold and arid mountainous regions of northwestern China. Study focus: In data-limited areas of Northwestern China, satellite- and reanalysis-based precipitation products provide crucial assistance. However, a comprehensive evaluation of their advantages, limitations, and hydrological performance has yet to be ascertained. This knowledge gap impedes a deeper understanding of hydrological processes within the region. This study evaluates the accuracy of ERA5L, IMERG-F, GSMaP-G, and FY4A-QPE from three aspects: time, space, and extreme precipitation. Comprehensive validation was conducted on four products using discharge, flood events, and peak flood simulated by Geomorphology-Ecology-Hydrology Model. New hydrological insights for the region: ERA5L data can be used to build long-term studies on regional meteorological and hydrological trends. IMERG-F is valuable for analyzing extreme precipitation and hydrological events. GSMaP-G is well-suited for identifying precipitation events in the region. It is essential to be cautious of precipitation underestimation when using satellite precipitation products at high elevations and during the winter. This study highlights the differences in accuracy among various precipitation products and provides recommendations for policymakers in selecting data for high-altitude research. It also offers critical information on hydrometeorology and directions for producing high-accuracy precipitation products.