GHRSST Level 2P: Global Sea Surface Temperature from MetOp-C AVHRR at 4 km Resolution

GHRSST Level 2P v2.0 is a global sea surface temperature dataset produced by the US Naval Oceanographic Office from AVHRR sensor data on the MetOp-C satellite. The data are derived in real-time from level-1B data, used operationally in oceanographic analyses and forecasts, and have an effective spatial resolution of 4 km at nadir. This version includes significant algorithm improvements, such as enhanced cloud detection and increased resolution from the previous 9 km.

Use Cases

• Assimilating near-real-time SST data into ocean circulation models based on the operational use mentioned.
• Monitoring global climate indicators like ocean heat content based on the global, twice-daily coverage.
• Calibrating and validating other satellite-derived SST products based on the inter-calibration improvements for MetOp-A/B/C.
• Studying diurnal warming and mesoscale ocean features based on the improved 4 km spatial resolution.

Strengths

• Data is used operationally by the US Naval Oceanographic Office for analyses and forecasts.
• Spatial resolution was increased from 9 km to 4 km in the v2.0 update.
• Algorithm improvements allow for consistent inter-calibration across three satellite platforms (MetOp-A, B, and C).
• Sensor has a wide swath of 2400 km, providing global coverage.

Limitations

• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The native 1.1 km sensor resolution is degraded to 4 km for this GAC-derived product.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration; data produced by the US Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVO).

Collection Method

Derived from Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) level-1B data on the MetOp-C satellite.

Time Range

Satellite launched 7 November 2018; dataset is produced in real-time.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 02:33:40.772725; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global coverage.