IMKTRO researcher joins the WMO GPEX WG2 Team

Dr. Simon Ageet, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Tropical Meteorology Group at IMK-TRO, has been selected to join an international team of scientists coordinating the newly established World Meteorological Organization (WMO) / World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) lighthouse activity, the Global Precipitation Experiment (GPEX) (https://www.wcrp-climate.org/gpex-overview). The activity is aimed at improving precipitation prediction (quantity, phase, timing and intensity) by addressing gaps in observations and understanding key precipitation processes. This initiative is centralized around the WCRP Years of Precipitation (YoP) and associated activities before and after and is expected to take 8-10 years to complete and is structured into three phases, i.e., Pre-YoP, YoP, and Post-YoP.

Specifically, in WG2 - Precipitation-Relevant Databases, the team shall; a) review and take stock of the wide range of existing global and regional precipitation datasets, b) contribute to the systematic evaluation and intercomparison of these datasets, particularly across regions influenced by different GPEX precipitation drivers (e.g., Atmospheric Rivers), c) promote the development of low-cost, easy-to-maintain instruments to strengthen global precipitation measurement networks, and c) collaborate with other projects and data users to assess and quantify uncertainties in gridded precipitation products (including reanalysis) across various spatial and temporal scales.

With his extensive expertise in both satellite and in situ observations, particularly across Africa, Dr. Simon Ageet will play a key role in advancing the global use of these data products. “One of my main goals in this WG is to help close the gaps in observational data across sub-Saharan Africa, which often pose barriers to research” says Dr. Ageet. Simon has previously evaluated the quality of various satellite rainfall estimates over Equatorial East Africa (EEA) and continues this important work in his current project focused on southern Africa. His research highlights the strengths and limitations of these products across different regions and applications, contributing to more reliable use of satellite-derived information for climate and water resource management. “I see my membership as a great opportunity to enhance the international visibility of IMK, enhance the African perspective, and further develop my own scientific career” adds Dr. Ageet.