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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Blended 6-Hourly Sea Surface Wind Vectors and Wind Stress on a Global 0.25 Degree Grid (1987-2011)

browse graphicGlobal winds for August 28, 2005 at 1200 UTC
The Blended Global Sea Surface Winds products contain ocean surface wind vectors and wind stress on a global 0.25 degree grid, in multiple time resolutions of 6-hourly and monthly, with an 11-year (1995-2005) monthly climatology. Daily files from a direct average of the 6-hourly data were also produced but are not included in this archive. The period of record is July 9, 1987 to September 30, 2011 for product Version 1.2, released in July 2007. Wind speeds were generated by blending available and selected microwave and scatterometer observations using a Simple spatiotemporally weighted Interpolation (SI) method. The following satellite retrieval datasets from Remote Sensing Systems (RSS) were used for Version 1.2: SSMI Version 6, TMI Version 4, QSCAT Version 3a, and AMSRE Version 5 (updated using the SSMI rain rate). The wind directions are from the NCEP-DOE Reanalysis 2 (NRA-2). The model wind directions are interpolated onto the blended wind speed grids. The 6-hourly satellite-scaled global 0.25-degree grid wind stresses are computed as: taux_s = -[(w_s/w_m)**2]*taux_m tauy_s = -[(w_s/w_m)**2]*tauy_m where 's' indicates satellite-scaled values and 'm' indicates NRA-2 model values interpolated to the satellite grid. Files are in netCDF format and available to users via FTP and THREDDS. A near real-time (NRT) variant of the product is generated quasi-daily to satisfy the needs of real-time users. The publicly available NRT data were replaced by the delayed-mode research quality data on a monthly basis through the end of September 2011, at which time the Seawinds production was impacted by the loss of data from the AMSR-E instrument failure. Production of the delayed-mode research products ends with the loss of AMSR-E in Version 1.2; a future version will extend beyond September 2011. The NRT products are continued after September 2011; however, this archive only includes the delayed-mode research products as the NRT data have a lower maturity rating removing the basis for archiving those data.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00842
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00842
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 Huai-Min Zhang
Physical Scientist
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-271-4090
huai-min.zhang@noaa.gov
Time Period 1987-07-09 to 2011-09-30
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2007-07-01
Edition Version 1.2
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose These products provide a consistent climatology of Global ocean surface wind vectors and wind stress.
Cited Authors
  • User Engagement and Services Branch
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • User Engagement and Services Branch
    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
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Winds > Wind Stress
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • 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
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
  • 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: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov