MPE: Multisensor Precipitation Estimate

The graphics shown in this section are Multisensor Precipitation Estimates, otherwise known as MPE data,  The multisensors involved at this time are radar and precipitation gages.  In the future, satellite estimates may also be incorporated.

MPE is a gridded field, computed hourly.  The Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center is in the process of evaluating the accuracy of the data.  We currently quality control the past 24 hours of data each morning.  MPE is currently used to verify precipitation forecasts, and to help initialize the national meteorological forecast models.

MPE is typically available for initial viewing at 15 minutes ater the hour. More refined versions are available at 35 and 55 minutes after the hour.

When using MPE data, it is important to remember it is vulnerable to the same inaccuracies that can be caused by either radar or precipitation gages.  For radar, problems would be: freezing or frozen precipitation, low topped convection, bright banding, the reflectivity/rainfall relationship in use, calibration of the radar, radar location and elevation, range degradation, and the radar's effective coverage.  For precipitation gages, problems come from freezing precipitation, windy conditions, gage siting, undermeasurement by tipping bucket gages in high intensity rainfall, and gage maintenance.

For more information on how MPE is calculated, or to provide feedback on MPE in general, please contact the MARFC webmaster.