Global Monthly Dust Storm Frequency from MODIS Aqua at 0.1-Degree Resolution

Climatological monthly frequency of dust storms over land is provided on a global 0.1 by 0.1 degree grid, derived from MODIS Aqua Deep Blue aerosol data. The dataset contains averages calculated over a 20-year period from 2003 to 2022, produced by NASA's GES DISC. It includes data for eight distinct dust optical depth thresholds, ranging from 0.025 to 2.

Use Cases

• Analyze spatial patterns of dust storm frequency for a specific optical depth threshold (e.g., 0.1) across global land regions.
• Model seasonal dust climatology by comparing monthly frequency maps across the 20-year averaged period.
• Validate atmospheric dust models using the quality-flagged frequency data, applying flag 1 over source regions and flag 3 over remote areas.
• Assess dust intensity gradients by comparing frequency distributions across the eight saved threshold files (0.025 to 2).

Strengths

• 20-year climatological average (2003-2022) provides a stable long-term baseline.
• Global spatial coverage from 80°S to 80°N and 175°W to 175°E at 0.1-degree resolution.
• Includes eight distinct dust optical depth thresholds for analyzing varying storm intensities.
• Incorporates quality flags (1 and 3) advising on appropriate usage for different geographic regions.

Limitations

• Data is a climatological mean, not a time series of individual years or events.
• Spatial resolution of 0.1 degrees may be too coarse for localized or regional-scale studies.
• Derived from a single sensor (MODIS Aqua), limiting cross-instrument validation within the dataset.

Provenance

Source

NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC).

Collection Method

Derived from Level 2 Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Deep Blue aerosol products (Collection 6.1, MYD04_L2) from the Aqua satellite.

Time Range

Climatological average covering 2003 to 2022.

Freshness

Data covers up to 2022; the collection version (Version 1) is current as of the last update.

Geography

Global land coverage from 80°S to 80°N latitude and 175°W to 175°E longitude.