Global Sea-Ice Analysis with 10km Resolution and Satellite Assimilation

A 2026-updated operational system provides global sea-ice analysis fields from Environment and Climate Change Canada. The data is produced by the Global Deterministic Prediction System using 3D-Var assimilation, with a 10km horizontal resolution on a YIN-YANG grid. It assimilates satellite remote sensing data and Canadian Ice Service charts four times daily.

Use Cases

• Model sea-ice concentration and thickness using the 3D-Var assimilation fields from the Global Deterministic Prediction System.
• Analyze spatial patterns of sea ice on the YIN-YANG grid with its 10km horizontal resolution.
• Assess the impact of assimilated satellite remote sensing data and Canadian Ice Service ice charts on analysis accuracy.
• Study background state persistence using the system's 6-hour forecast cycle.

Strengths

• Data is produced by an operational national meteorological system (Environment and Climate Change Canada's GDPS).
• Provides global coverage of all waters (ocean and lakes) for sea-ice analysis.
• Assimilates multiple data sources four times a day, including satellite remote sensing and expert ice charts.
• Uses a defined 10km horizontal resolution on a specialized YIN-YANG grid structure.

Limitations

• Data format is NetCDF, requiring specific libraries and expertise for analysis, limiting accessibility for some users.
• The technical description of the grid (rotated latitude-longitude, YIN-YANG) may present a barrier for non-specialists.
• No sample data or row/column counts are provided to assess the dataset's volume and specific variables before access.

Provenance

Source

Environment and Climate Change Canada

Collection Method

Produced by the operational Global Deterministic Prediction System (GDPS) using 3D-Var data assimilation.

Time Range

null

Freshness

Updated operationally, with a last recorded update in March 2026.

Geography

Global coverage of all ocean and lake waters.