CYGNSS: Satellite-Derived Ocean Wind Speed and Surface Slope Data

Version 1.2 reanalysis products derived from CYGNSS satellite constellation measurements, with a latency of approximately 1 to 2 months from the last recorded measurement time. The dataset provides time-tagged and geolocated average wind speed and mean square slope data at 25x25 kilometer resolution. It is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and represents an improved calibration accuracy and long-term stability over previous versions.

Use Cases

• Modeling ocean surface wind speed patterns based on satellite-derived average wind speed measurements.
• Analyzing sea surface roughness based on the mean square slope (MSS) data.
• Studying long-term climate trends based on the reanalysis and improved calibration stability of the Climate Data Record.
• Validating weather and oceanographic models based on the geolocated, 25x25 km resolution wind data.

Strengths

• Provides improved calibration accuracy and long-term stability relative to previous SDR v3.1 data.
• Data is geolocated and time-tagged with a spatial resolution of 25x25 kilometers.
• Only one netCDF data file is produced each day, simplifying daily data management.

Limitations

• Row count and column definitions are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The trackwise correction algorithm cannot be applied to all SDR v3.1 L1 data, resulting in some loss of samples.
• Data has a latency of approximately 1 to 2 months from the last recorded measurement time.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from the Delay Doppler Mapping Instrument aboard the CYGNSS satellite constellation.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 03:24:46.543675; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global ocean coverage, determined by specular points corresponding to Delay Doppler Maps.