The CPC FEWS-NET team has recently implemented many GIS routines into its operational processes. Most files are available in ESRI GRID format and additional material is added routinely.

Beginning January 1, 2001 RFE version 2.0 replaced RFE1.0 as the operational CPC Africa rainfall algorithm. Along with a dramatically reduced processing time, the new algorithm gives increased assuracy and enhanced code portability. The output domain is 20W-55E, 40S-40N with a 0.1 degree resolution, and each day's time scale is 6Z-6Z. Output files are in binary format containing a 751x801 array of floating point rainfall estimates. Ten day estimates are created by summing daily output data. For additional information, see:

CPC Africa Rainfall Estimation 2.0 Technical Description.

As of 2012, a new gridded, daily 30+ year precipitation estimation dataset centered over Africa at 0.1° spatial resolution has been developed. The Africa Rainfall Climatology version 2 (ARC2) is a revision of the first version of the ARC and is consistent with the operational Rainfall Estimation, version 2, algorithm (RFE2). ARC2 uses inputs from two sources: 1) 3-hourly geostationary infrared (IR) data centered over Africa from the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) and 2) quality controlled Global Telecommunication System (GTS) gauge observations reporting 24-hour rainfall accumulations over Africa. The main difference between with ARC2 resides in the recalibration of all Meteosat First Generation (MFG) IR data (1983-2005). Validation and inter-comparison results show that ARC2 is a major improvement over ARC1, and is consistent with other long-term historical datasets such as Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) and Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP). For additional information, see:

ARC2 Documentation.

Beginning in 2001, weekly meteorological Hazards Assessments are produced for the Africa continent to monitor any weather or climate related areas of concern throughout the area. Beginning in February 2002, seperate graphic and text products were disseminated. All archived products from 2001 through May 2002 are in .gif format, but the Hazard Explanations are simple .txt files beginning May 2002.

Ten day mean positions of the Africa ITCZ have been monitored since 1988 for the region from 15^oW to 35^oE. Daily analyses of the ITCZ position are found by hand interpolation of 15^o Celcius surface dewpoint and modeled surface wind streamline maps. Dekadal values are simple averages of daily position, and climatological means are computed using the previous years' analyses. Monitoring is done from April thru October, and current products may be found at:

Dekadal ITCZ Positions:

Here