Clustering the Diurnal Cycle of Precipitation Using Global Satellite Data

Abstract

The diurnal cycle of precipitation (DCP) is a fundamental component of the precipitation cycles across various temporal scales. However, the absence of a comprehensive and intuitive clustering description of the DCP, including precipitation amount, frequency, intensity, and seasonality on the global scale, has impeded understanding of climate impacts on society. This study investigates the diurnal cycle and its seasonal differences in global precipitation using hierarchical clustering and high-resolution satellite precipitation data. Results indicate that regions with coastal and topographic complexity exhibit intricate clustering patterns globally. Significant inter-cluster differences suggest that the precipitation amount and frequency have stronger diurnal cycles than that of the precipitation intensity. Seasonal cluster transitions indicate that the global DCP exhibits significant seasonal differences. This study provides multiple sets of information-rich and user-friendly maps of the DCP, enhancing research on sub-daily precipitation mechanisms and their climatic impacts.