This workshop marks the restart of a workshop series which was hosted by DWD / EUMETSAT CM SAF in Offenbach, Germany between 2014 and 2017.

The objective was to assess the feasibility to generate a satellite-based global precipitation climate data record (CDR) and to consolidate scientific and technical questions regarding the major building blocks of such a precipitation CDR. It was and is consensus that this is a major endeavour and needs to be pursued in a joint European effort. EUMETSAT CM SAF responded to this: CM SAF with its sustained funding scheme and operational environment hosts the precipitation CDR in Europe. The precipitation CDR is called Global Interpolated RAinFall Estimation (GIRAFE), has a spatio-temporal resolution of 1 degree daily, covers the period 2002-2022 and, in the meantime, is available as beta version from CM SAF. The CDR can be provided to interested users in beta-version, allowing for first analysis, prior to the workshop. The workshop in March 2024 brings together experts in the field and aims at defining priorities on future efforts and (new) cooperations. This time the workshop will focus on various application areas (see above). Future workshop will address other topics related to climate monitoring of precipitation. Output of the workshop will be a report.

Finally, this workshop is also an element of topical workshops organized by CM SAF to address various aspects regarding the Earth's energy and water cycles.

The focus of the workshop will be on the following application areas associated with the use of precipitation data:

1) Climate monitoring and climate services,

2) Hydrology and the Earth's water cycle,

3) Extremes,

4) (Climate) model evaluation.