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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Intersatellite Calibrated Clear-Sky HIRS Channel 12 Brightness Temperature, Version 2.6 (Version Superseded)

HIRS Ch12 Brightness Temperature

browse graphicHIRS CDR example of time series before and after inter calibration
*Note: This dataset version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended that users access the current version. Users should only use this version for special cases, such as reproducing studies that used this version.* This NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Inter-Satellite Calibrated Clear-Sky High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) Channel 12 brightness temperatures contains over 30 years (1978-2013) of data. Among the twenty channels in the HIRS instrument, channel 12 measures upper tropospheric water vapor (UTWV). Multiple polar orbiting satellites in the NOAA Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES) series and MetOp-A have carried HIRS instruments. Due to the independence in calibration of the individual HIRS instruments, biases exist between satellites. Examination of the intersatellite biases shows that the biases are scene brightness temperature dependent. These HIRS channel 12 measurements from the NOAA POES and MetOp-A are calibrated to a baseline satellite based on intersatellite bias correction data. The differences from the last version include that the dataset is now provided as monthly mean 2.5x2.5 degree latitude/longitude in netcdf format and the time series has been extended to the end of 2013. This CDR is key to understanding water vapor feedback climatology.
  • Cite as: Shi, Lei; Bates, John; Knapp, Kenneth; and NOAA CDR Program (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of of Intersatellite Calibrated Clear-Sky HIRS Channel 12 Brightness Temperature, Version 2.6. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. DOI:10.7289/V55T3HF3 [access date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00832
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • netCDF-4
    • File Specification: netcdf library version 4.1.2
    • File Compression:
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 NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-271-4800
hirs_ch12_contacts@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-350-2005
hirs_ch12_contacts@noaa.gov
Time Period 1978-11-01 to 2013-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
  • HIRS Ch12 Brightness Temperature - NOAA Landing Page
    This dataset provides advanced scientific researchers a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of upper tropospheric water vapor along with HIRS brightness temperatures that are suitable for long-term global studies and climate monitoring of upper tropospheric water vapor. These global observations play an important role in better modeling and understanding of tropical convection and its role in weather-climate connections from intraseasonal to interannual time scales.
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • Source Code Package for Clear-sky HIRS Channel 12 CDR
    • Source Code Package for Clear-sky HIRS Channel 12 CDR
      The Source Code Package for Clear-sky HIRS Channel 12 CDR. This source code is for reference only. The source code is provided to maintain transparency of the algorithm and processes used in creating the Climate Data Record (CDR). The source code is not intended to be portable to any computer system(s) beyond that of the original CDR producer's environment.
  • Data Flow Diagram for HIRS Channel 12 CDR
  • Climate Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document (C-ATBD) for HIRS Channel 12 CDR
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2010-09-22
Edition Version 2.6
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Superseded - replaced by new
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose This dataset provides advanced scientific researchers a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of upper tropospheric water vapor along with HIRS brightness temperatures that are suitable for long-term global studies and climate monitoring of upper tropospheric water vapor. These global observations play an important role in better modeling and understanding of tropical convection and its role in weather-climate connections from intraseasonal to interannual time scales.
Use Limitations
  • *Note: This dataset version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended that users access the current version. Users should only use this version for special cases, such as reproducing studies that used this version.*
  • For a complete description of use limitations see Section Assumptions and Limitations in the respective Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Shi, Lei; Bates, John; Knapp, Kenneth; and NOAA CDR Program (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of of Intersatellite Calibrated Clear-Sky HIRS Channel 12 Brightness Temperature, Version 2.6. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. DOI:10.7289/V55T3HF3 [access date].
  • Publications using HIRS-TB-CDR should also cite the following journal article: Shi, L., and J. J. Bates (2011), Three decades of intersatellite-calibrated High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder upper tropospheric water vapor, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D04108, doi:10.1029/2010JD014847.
Cited Authors
  • Shi, Lei
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Bates, John
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Knapp, Kenneth
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • NOAA CDR Program
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • NOAA CDR Program
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Principal Investigators
  • Shi, Lei
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Collaborators
  • Bates, John
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Knapp, Kenneth
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • 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 > Atmosphere > atmospheric Radiation > Longwave Radiation
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > infrared Wavelengths > Brightness Temperature
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
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • TIROS-N > Television Infrared Observation Satellite - N
  • NOAA-6 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 6
  • NOAA-7 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 7
  • NOAA-8 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 8
  • NOAA-9 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 9
  • NOAA-10 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 10
  • NOAA-11 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 11
  • NOAA-12 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 12
  • NOAA-14 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 14
  • NOAA-15 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 15
  • NOAA-16 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 16
  • NOAA-17 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 17
  • MetOp-A > Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite - A
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • HIRS-2 > High Resolution Infra-red Sounder/2
  • HIRS-3 > High Resolution Infra-red Sounder/3
  • HIRS-4 > High Resolution Infra-red Sounder/4
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Project keywords Keyword Thesaurus Title
  • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) Program
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Shi, Lei; Bates, John; Knapp, Kenneth; and NOAA CDR Program (2014): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of of Intersatellite Calibrated Clear-Sky HIRS Channel 12 Brightness Temperature, Version 2.6. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. DOI:10.7289/V55T3HF3 [access date].
  • Publications using HIRS-TB-CDR should also cite the following journal article: Shi, L., and J. J. Bates (2011), Three decades of intersatellite-calibrated High-Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder upper tropospheric water vapor, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D04108, doi:10.1029/2010JD014847.
  • 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: dataset
Lineage Statement The data were produced and archived at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). Updates to extend the HIRS CH12 CDR data set to the present are anticipated. For more information, see associated processing documentation.
Processing Steps
  • For a complete description of the processing steps, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and Data Flow Diagram.
Processing Documents
    • Source Code Package for Clear-sky HIRS Channel 12 CDR
      • Source Code Package for Clear-sky HIRS Channel 12 CDR
        The Source Code Package for Clear-sky HIRS Channel 12 CDR. This source code is for reference only. The source code is provided to maintain transparency of the algorithm and processes used in creating the Climate Data Record (CDR). The source code is not intended to be portable to any computer system(s) beyond that of the original CDR producer's environment.
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.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/2 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/2
  • HIRS/3 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/3
  • HIRS/3 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/3
  • HIRS/3 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/3
  • HIRS/4 > High Resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder/4
Platform
  • Television Infrared Observation Satellite-N
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-6
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-7
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-8
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-9
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-10
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-11
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-12
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-14
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-15
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-16
  • National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration-17
  • Meteorological Operational Satellite - A
Operation
  • POES > Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites
  • EPS > EUMETSAT Polar System
Last Modified: 2023-09-14
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov