There are a number of issues with the TRMM ARI
product because of its short data record and the accuracy
of the real-time 3B42RT data. Large uncertainties exist
in rainfall retrieval and computed ARI for regions with
complex orography as shown by the Colorado case. The
ARI estimates are generally quite uncertain for return
years larger than 20. Therefore, unlike the NOAA Atlas
14, this product should not as yet be used as a reference
for hydrometeorological and engineering design. Nevertheless,
it can serve as an extreme precipitation
warning system to provide useful warning information
for potentially catastrophic events, even with the restrictions
posed by a short data record and limited
accuracy.