Evaluation of Hourly Precipitation Characteristics from a Global Reanalysis and Variable-Resolution Global Model over the Tibetan Plateau by Using a Satellite-Gauge Merged Rainfall Product

High-resolution meteorological datasets are urgently needed for understanding the hydrological cycle of Tibetan Plateau (TP), where ground-based stations sparse. Rapid advances in remote sensing create possibilities to represent spatiotemporal properties precipitation at a high resolution. In this study, hourly characteristics over TP from two gridded products, one global reanalysis (the fifth generation European Center Medium-Range Weather Forecasts atmospheric climate; ERA5) and other is simulated by Global-to-Regional Integrated forecast SysTem (GRIST) nonhydrostatic model, compared against satellite-gauge merged analysis (China Merged Precipitation Analysis; CMPA) 27 July 31 August 2014, satellite-retrieved estimate Multi-satellitE Retrievals Global Measurement (IMERG) also evolved. Two aspects mainly focused on: spatial distribution elevation dependence (including amount, frequency, intensity, diurnal variations, frequency–intensity structure). Results indicate that: (1) The intensity CMPA IMERG decrease with altitude Yarlung Tsangpo river valley (YTRV), but increase first then (except intensity) eastern periphery (EPTP). ERA5 performed well on variation amount (especially EPTP), poorly frequency intensity. GRIST antithesis ERA5, they all overestimate (underestimate) (intensity) heights; (2) With increasing altitude, phase shifted night evening sub-regions. IMERG’s 1 3 h earlier than CMPA’s, discrepancy decreases (increases) as increases YTRV significantly CMPA, peaks around midday except basin. GRIST’s simulation various altitudes consistent CMPA; (3) weak (intense) precipitation, ERA5’s deviance being most severe. deviations increased altitude. These findings provide intensive metrics evaluate complex terrain helpful deepening biases further improving performance high-resolution simulation.