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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Analysis Products

National Geospatial Data Asset (NGDA) High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (SST) Analysis Products

browse graphicSea Surface Temperature image
This archive covers two high resolution sea surface temperature (SST) analysis products developed using an optimum interpolation (OI) technique. The analyses have a spatial grid resolution of 0.25 degree and temporal resolution of 1 day. One product uses Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) infrared satellite data, while the other uses satellite data from both AVHRR and the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer from NASA Earth Observing System (AMSR-E). Both products also use sea-ice data, in situ data from ships and buoys, and include a large-scale adjustment of satellite biases with respect to the in situ data. Two products are needed because of the increase in signal variance from AMSR-E due to its near all-weather coverage. For both products, the results show improved spatial and temporal resolution compared to heritage weekly 1.0 degree OISST analyses from the NWS NCEP. The AVHRR-only product uses Pathfinder AVHRR data, when available, from September 1981 through December 2005, and operational Navy AVHRR data for 2006 onwards. Pathfinder AVHRR was chosen because of good agreement with the in situ data. The combined AMSR-E and AVHRR product begins with the start of AMSR data in June 2002 and ends in October 2011, when the AMSR-E instrument ceased to function properly. In this second product, the primary AVHRR contribution is in regions near land where AMSR-E is not available. However, in cloud-free regions, use of both infrared and microwave instruments reduces systematic biases because the error characteristics are independent. For both products, in areas where sea ice is present, SST is estimated from sea ice fraction datasets from NASA GSFC before 2005 and then from NWS NCEP from 2005 onwards. Preliminary products are produced daily in near real-time (1-day latency) and may be updated in the first few days if critical input data become available after the initial production time. After two weeks, a complete or final product is generated with no additional changes expected. The preliminary products from near real-time data productions began in October 2008 for Version 2.0.
  • Users should cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 3650_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00680
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00680
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: 3)
    • File Specification: NetCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Convention (http://cf-pcmdi.llnl.gov/)
    • File Compression: http://www.unidata.ucar.edu/software/netcdf/docs/netcdf/
  • XML
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1981-09-01 to Present
Spatial Reference System EPSG:4326
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2008-11-12
  • creation: 2008
  • revision: inapplicable
Edition Version 2.0
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Daily
Purpose These products provide a consistent climatology of Global sea surface temperature.
Dataset Citation
  • Users should cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature
NGDA Portfolio Themes
  • Ngda
  • National Geospatial Data Asset
  • Climate And Weather Theme
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
Use Constraints
  • Users should cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-09-06
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov