Global Zonal Mean Temperature Profiles from MERRA Model

GOZCARDS Source Temperature data provides 1-month Level 4 zonal averages on a vertical pressure grid. The dataset contains zonal means, standard deviations, and minimum/maximum values derived from the GMAO MERRA model product DAS 3d analyzed state MAI6NVANA. It was produced by the GES DISC and the source data record begins in 1979, with this specific product version last updated in December 2012.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term temperature trends across 10-degree latitude bands using the zonal mean values.
• Assess atmospheric variability by examining the standard deviation values provided for each pressure level.
• Validate the vertical structure of climate models by comparing model output to the gridded temperature data from 1000 to 0.015 hPa.
• Study extreme temperature events in the upper atmosphere using the provided minimum and maximum value fields.

Strengths

• Vertical pressure coverage spans from 1000 hPa to 0.015 hPa, capturing data from the surface to the upper atmosphere.
• Data record begins in 1979, providing a multi-decadal time series for climate studies.
• Derived from the established GMAO MERRA model reanalysis product (v5.2.0).

Limitations

• Data is last documented as updated in December 2012, making it temporally stale for current climate analysis.
• Data is aggregated as 10-degree zonal averages, limiting spatial resolution for regional studies.
• The dataset's row count, file size, and specific update frequency are not provided.

Provenance

Source

GES DISC, derived from NASA GMAO MERRA model product DAS 3d analyzed state MAI6NVANA (v5.2.0).

Collection Method

Calculated zonal means and related statistics from the original model reanalysis product.

Time Range

1979 onward (source data); product version dated 2012-12-31.

Freshness

null

Geography

Global, aggregated into 10-degree latitude zonal bands.