Remote-sensing precipitation and temperature evaluation using soil and water assessment tool with multiobjective calibration in the Shiyang River Basin, Northwest China

Precipitation and temperature are crucial drivers for hydrological models. At present, numerous remote-sensing or reanalysis precipitation and temperature datasets are available on a global scale. This study aims to appraise the performance of three open-access precipitation datasets (gauge-adjusted research-grade Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP_Gauge), Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS), and Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR)) and CFSR temperature dataset for the monthly simulation of streamflow and evapotranspiration (ET) using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model with multiobjective calibration in the upper Shiyang River Basin of Northwest China. Comprehensive comparisons of four scenarios using the remote-sensing products to driving the SWAT model revealed the following: (i) although the precipitation products had similar spatial patterns, CFSR differed markedly by exhibiting an overestimation (ii) the CFSR temperature product could generate good performance in simulation of monthly streamflow and ET; (iii) among the three precipitation products, CHIRPS displayed the best performance; and (iv) the CHIRPS precipitation and CFSR temperature combination yielded satisfactory performance in streamflow and ET simulation, making it a promising alternative data source for hydrological simulation in some gauge-scarce areas.