For decades, satellites have been keeping a watchful eye on Earth, relaying increasingly precise, detailed and timelier information than ever before. Armed with the right mathematical tools, we can use this information to anticipate and mitigate climate extremes and associated hazards—from floods to landslides. So why isn't this happening now? To harness its full potential, we need algorithms that can process this complex and diverse mix of big data from different satellites—en masse and quickly. This has been easier said than done, but we have found a way. In our research, published in GIScience & Remote Sensing, our team combined the best satellite precipitation data sources together with rain gauge measurements to deliver a comprehensive rainfall map of Australia.
