Aqua AIRS JoSFRA V2: Atmospheric Profiles and Cloud Data at 13.5 km Resolution

Near-global satellite retrievals of atmospheric temperature, water vapor, cloud properties, and surface temperature from the AIRS instrument on the Aqua satellite. The dataset includes observations from August 30, 2002 onward, with twice-daily coverage, and an initial release covering specific 5-day periods in 2011, a 2012-2013 Pacific Ocean campaign, and selected granules from 2002-2007. Data is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using the Joint Single Footprint Retrieval Algorithm.

Use Cases

• Analyzing atmospheric temperature and water vapor profiles based on infrared spectra retrievals.
• Studying cloud properties and their impact on climate processes based on cloud observation data.
• Investigating surface temperature variations at a native 13.5 km horizontal resolution.
• Examining diurnal cycles using twice-daily (1:30 am/pm local time) near-global coverage.
• Comparing atmospheric states in specific regions and time periods, such as the MAGIC campaign in the Pacific Ocean.

Strengths

• Provides high spatial resolution of 13.5 km per footprint, compared to 50 km for cloud-cleared retrievals.
• Offers near-global coverage twice daily since August 30, 2002, enabling long-term trend analysis.
• Algorithm uses an optimal-estimation scheme and incorporates MODIS cloud observations directly.
• Initial release includes data from targeted scientific campaigns and Atmospheric Radiation Measurement sites.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Use is recommended only under medium to low cloud cover conditions.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Retrieved from infrared spectra observed by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on the Aqua satellite using the Joint Single Footprint Retrieval Algorithm.

Time Range

August 30, 2002 onward, with specific intensive periods in 2011, 2012-2013, and 2002-2007.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03 13 12:46:11.024244; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Near-global coverage, with specific focus on the Pacific Ocean (20-35°N, 120-160°W) and DOE ARM sites in Alaska, Great Plains, and Tropical Western Pacific.