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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.3 level 3 collated (L3C) global 4km sea surface temperature for 1981-Present

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The AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.3 (PFV53) L3C Sea Surface Temperature dataset is a collection of global, twice-daily (Day and Night) 4km sea surface temperature (SST) data produced by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). L3C is generated with measurements combined from a single instrument into a space-time grid. In this process multiple passes/scenes of data are combined. PFV53 was computed with data from the AVHRR instruments on board NOAA's polar orbiting satellite series using an entirely modernized system based on SeaDAS (version 6.4). This system incorporates several key changes from its predecessors (mainly version 5.2: PFV52). The SSTs in PFV53 are now available for all quality levels, including quality '0' which was left out of PFV52 due to a memory issue in the version 5.2 code. The Sun glint regions are better represented in the data. Cloud tree tests for NOAA-7 and NOAA-19 are now consistent with the rest of the sensors in contrast to PFV52 where they were inconsistent. Similar to all previous versions of Pathfinder this version also includes L3C products. The sst_dtime variable is still not included in L3C (it was not included in PFV52 either). The global and variables attributes in netCDF files are revised, have better CF and ACDD compliance, and are consistent with the NCEI netCDF templates. Anomalous hot-spots at land-water boundaries are better identified and flagged in PFV53. The PFV53 land mask has been updated (based on Global Lakes and Wetlands Database: Lakes and Wetlands Grid Level 3, 2015). Sea ice data over the Antarctic ice shelves are marked as ice and flagged as 100% ice cover. The PFV53 output are netCDF version 4 in "classic" mode, whereas in PFV52 the netCDF-4 files were not explicitly identified as "classic". An extra bit (bit 6) is used under l2p_flags variable to flag out the daytime unrealistic SST values (>39.8°C) that remain in pf_quality_level 4 to 7. Users are recommended to avoid these values.

Importantly, PFV53 data provided in netCDF-4 (classic model, with internal compression and chunking) are nearly 100% compliant with the GHRSST Data Specification Version 2.0 (GDS2.0 revision 5) requirements. However, it must be noted that in L3C data the variables sses_bias, sses_standard_deviation, and sst_dtime are still empty. PFV53 data were collected through the operational periods of the NOAA-7 through NOAA-19 Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES), and are available from 1981 through Present. Data for all these years are available as multiple NCEI accessions. PFV5.3 production is running on operational mode and will be updated on quarterly basis.
  • Cite as: Saha, Korak; Zhao, Xuepeng; Zhang, Huai-min; Casey, Kenneth S.; Zhang, Dexin; Baker-Yeboah, Sheekela; Kilpatrick, Katherine A.; Evans, Robert H.; Ryan, Thomas; Relph, John M. (2018). AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.3 level 3 collated (L3C) global 4km sea surface temperature for 1981-Present. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v52j68xx. Accessed [date].
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
gov.noaa.nodc:AVHRR_Pathfinder-NCEI-L3C-v5.3
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Distribution Formats
  • netCDF (Version: netCDF-4 classic model)
    • File Specification: NCEI_NetCDF_Grid_Template_v2.0, CF-1.6, ACDD-1.3
  • PNG (Version: 1.2)
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Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 1981-08-25 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2018
  • revision: 2024-02-22
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
The Pathfinder Version 5.3 dataset follows the international format, content and metadata standard defined by the Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST) in the GHRSST Data Specification Version 2.0 (GDS2.0 revision 5). These data deviate from the GDS2 standard only in sses_bias, sses_standard_deviation, and sst_dtime variables as these are empty. The file naming convention for the GHRSST GDS 2.0 is described in GDS2.0 revision 5 Technical Specifications: GDS_TechSpecs_v2.0.pdf along with other GDS2.0 Technical Specifications (GHRSST documentation, NCEI Accession 0123222).
Purpose To provide sea surface temperature data and related parameters with good temporal consistency, high accuracy and spatial resolution, and for archive and distribution through the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This SST data collection is intended primarily for climate related applications and studies and is being established to help form the basis for a Climate Data Record for SST.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • 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.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Saha, Korak; Zhao, Xuepeng; Zhang, Huai-min; Casey, Kenneth S.; Zhang, Dexin; Baker-Yeboah, Sheekela; Kilpatrick, Katherine A.; Evans, Robert H.; Ryan, Thomas; Relph, John M. (2018). AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.3 level 3 collated (L3C) global 4km sea surface temperature for 1981-Present. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v52j68xx. Accessed [date].
  • Please also cite: Casey, K.S., T.B. Brandon, P. Cornillon, and R. Evans (2010). "The Past, Present and Future of the AVHRR Pathfinder SST Program", in Oceanography from Space: Revisited, eds. V. Barale, J.F.R. Gower, and L. Alberotanza, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8681-5_16
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Acknowledgments
  • This project was supported in part by a grant from the NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) Program for satellites.
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords NetCDF Climate and Forecast (CF) Metadata Convention Standard Name Table
  • latitude
  • longitude
  • sea_ice_area_fraction
  • sea_surface_skin_temperature
  • time
  • wind_speed
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Saha, Korak; Zhao, Xuepeng; Zhang, Huai-min; Casey, Kenneth S.; Zhang, Dexin; Baker-Yeboah, Sheekela; Kilpatrick, Katherine A.; Evans, Robert H.; Ryan, Thomas; Relph, John M. (2018). AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.3 level 3 collated (L3C) global 4km sea surface temperature for 1981-Present. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.7289/v52j68xx. Accessed [date].
  • Please also cite: Casey, K.S., T.B. Brandon, P. Cornillon, and R. Evans (2010). "The Past, Present and Future of the AVHRR Pathfinder SST Program", in Oceanography from Space: Revisited, eds. V. Barale, J.F.R. Gower, and L. Alberotanza, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8681-5_16
  • Please acknowledge the use of these data with the following statement: These data were provided by GHRSST and the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.
Access 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.
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: series
Processing Steps
  • 2016-08-27T18:33:42Z - NCEI Accession 0129789 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-08-30T22:11:11Z - NCEI Accession 0129818 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-08-31T12:40:37Z - NCEI Accession 0156457 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-08-31T22:46:09Z - NCEI Accession 0156458 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-01T05:10:19Z - NCEI Accession 0156463 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-01T16:48:27Z - NCEI Accession 0156468 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-02T05:06:41Z - NCEI Accession 0156476 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-02T16:56:12Z - NCEI Accession 0156478 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-03T05:03:50Z - NCEI Accession 0156483 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-03T16:50:25Z - NCEI Accession 0156487 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-04T08:10:33Z - NCEI Accession 0156492 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-04T16:48:48Z - NCEI Accession 0156498 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-05T05:24:38Z - NCEI Accession 0156505 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-05T17:36:21Z - NCEI Accession 0156512 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-06T04:45:47Z - NCEI Accession 0156518 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-06T19:17:11Z - NCEI Accession 0156522 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-08T04:31:15Z - NCEI Accession 0156527 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-08T05:50:17Z - NCEI Accession 0156528 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-08T17:22:58Z - NCEI Accession 0156531 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-09T05:16:15Z - NCEI Accession 0156558 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-09T19:22:17Z - NCEI Accession 0156561 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-13T04:00:01Z - NCEI Accession 0156562 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-13T06:37:15Z - NCEI Accession 0156565 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-13T16:39:54Z - NCEI Accession 0156577 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-14T05:04:33Z - NCEI Accession 0156583 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-14T16:49:40Z - NCEI Accession 0156585 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-15T05:44:41Z - NCEI Accession 0156590 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-15T17:21:07Z - NCEI Accession 0156595 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-23T15:47:16Z - NCEI Accession 0156613 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-23T17:03:10Z - NCEI Accession 0156615 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-24T05:00:31Z - NCEI Accession 0156620 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-24T16:50:09Z - NCEI Accession 0156625 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-25T14:50:59Z - NCEI Accession 0156630 v1.1 was published.
  • 2016-09-25T16:46:32Z - NCEI Accession 0156634 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-05-23T18:01:32Z - NCEI Accession 0173379 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-05-25T18:00:28Z - NCEI Accession 0173436 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-05-31T21:05:19Z - NCEI Accession 0173516 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-06-01T13:50:50Z - NCEI Accession 0173529 v1.1 was published.
  • 2018-09-05T21:29:54Z - NCEI Accession 0173529 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2018-10-25T14:35:57Z - NCEI Accession 0173529 was revised and v3.3 was published.
  • 2019-02-04T16:16:39Z - NCEI Accession 0173529 was revised and v4.4 was published.
  • 2019-03-14T19:19:21Z - NCEI Accession 0173379 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2019-03-15T17:25:19Z - NCEI Accession 0173436 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2019-03-22T00:27:51Z - NCEI Accession 0173516 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2019-03-22T14:03:03Z - NCEI Accession 0173529 was revised and v5.5 was published.
  • 2019-04-20T02:40:29Z - NCEI Accession 0187901 v1.1 was published.
  • 2019-07-17T00:38:31Z - NCEI Accession 0187901 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2019-10-23T17:30:10Z - NCEI Accession 0187901 was revised and v3.3 was published.
  • 2020-01-18T15:11:06Z - NCEI Accession 0187901 was revised and v4.4 was published.
  • 2020-04-13T14:05:52Z - NCEI Accession 0209645 v1.1 was published.
  • 2020-07-28T18:16:21Z - NCEI Accession 0209645 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2020-10-28T17:09:40Z - NCEI Accession 0209645 was revised and v3.3 was published.
  • 2021-02-02T20:51:00Z - NCEI Accession 0209645 was revised and v4.4 was published.
  • 2021-04-13T17:59:05Z - NCEI Accession 0229122 v1.1 was published.
  • 2021-08-02T07:30:10Z - NCEI Accession 0229122 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2021-11-02T06:22:35Z - NCEI Accession 0229122 was revised and v3.3 was published.
  • 2022-03-01T21:30:55Z - NCEI Accession 0229122 was revised and v4.4 was published.
  • 2022-08-11T05:52:44Z - NCEI Accession 0258186 v1.1 was published.
  • 2022-12-02T07:58:46Z - NCEI Accession 0258186 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2023-02-22T09:15:09Z - NCEI Accession 0258186 was revised and v3.3 was published.
  • 2023-06-01T03:53:12Z - NCEI Accession 0278919 v1.1 was published.
  • 2023-08-12T14:04:09Z - NCEI Accession 0278919 was revised and v2.2 was published.
  • 2023-11-18T22:35:37Z - NCEI Accession 0278919 was revised and v3.3 was published.
  • 2024-02-22T09:53:19Z - NCEI Accession 0278919 was revised and v4.4 was published.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • AVHRR-2
  • AVHRR-3
Platform
  • NOAA-11
  • NOAA-14
  • NOAA-16
  • NOAA-17
  • NOAA-18
  • NOAA-19
  • NOAA-7
  • NOAA-9
Last Modified: 2024-03-14T15:29:56Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov