Global Monthly Integrated Water Vapor Over Oceans From AMSR2 Satellite

JAXA's AMSR2 sensor provides monthly mean integrated water vapor data over global oceans at a 0.1-degree grid resolution. The dataset includes statistical metrics like standard deviation and data counts for each pixel, derived from daily Level 3 data. It is produced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency from observations beginning after the satellite's launch in May 2012.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial and temporal trends in atmospheric moisture (MonthMean_WV) for climate studies.
• Assessing data reliability for each grid cell using the provided Standard_Deviation and Average_Number fields.
• Calibrating or validating other satellite or model-based water vapor estimates using the standardized 0.1-degree EQR projection data.
• Studying differences in atmospheric conditions between satellite ascending and descending track observations.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage over oceans at a consistent 0.1-degree sampling resolution.
• Includes derived statistical quality fields (Standard_Deviation, Average_Number, Total_Number) for each pixel.
• Data is part of a long-term mission (GCOM-W) designed for creating trustworthy global datasets.

Limitations

• Spatial coverage is restricted to over-ocean areas only, with no land data.
• The core geophysical parameter (Integrated Water Vapor) is a monthly mean, limiting analysis of sub-monthly dynamics.
• The description notes data includes both valid and invalid samples, requiring filtering via the provided count fields.

Provenance

Source

Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via the AMSR2 instrument on the GCOM-W satellite, with Level 3 processing calculating arithmetic means of daily data.

Time Range

Observations began after the satellite launch on May 18, —2012; specific end date is not provided.

Freshness

null

Geography

Global coverage over ocean areas only.