MERRA-2 3-Hourly Moist Processes Diagnostics At 72 Model Layers

MERRA-2 tavg3_3d_mst_Nv provides 3-hourly time-averaged, 3-dimensional assimilated diagnostics for atmospheric moist processes. The NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office produced this data collection using the GEOS 5.12.4 model, covering the period from 1980 to the present with a latency of approximately three weeks.

Use Cases

• Analyze convective rainwater source and large scale rainwater source fields to quantify contributions to total precipitation.
• Study evap subl of convective precipitation and evap subl of non convective precipitation features to understand precipitation efficiency and phase changes.
• Validate and improve parameterizations in climate models using the 72-model-layer vertical structure of moist process diagnostics.
• Investigate diurnal cycles and short-term atmospheric variability using the 3-hourly temporal resolution from 01:30 UTC intervals.
• Correlate moist process diagnostics with other MERRA-2 reanalysis fields for comprehensive event analysis, such as storms or droughts.

Strengths

• Continuous temporal coverage from 1980 to present, providing over 40 years of data.
• High vertical resolution with diagnostics provided across 72 distinct model layers.
• Data is produced by NASA's GMAO using the authoritative GEOS 5.12.4 assimilation system.

Limitations

• Data has a latency of approximately three weeks after the end of each month, limiting real-time analysis.
• The spatial resolution is 0.625 x 0.5 degrees, which may be too coarse for regional or micro-scale studies.
• Reprocessing events change filenames and potentially data values, requiring careful version tracking.

Provenance

Source

NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) via the GES DISC.

Collection Method

Assimilated reanalysis produced using the Goddard Earth Observing System Model (GEOS) version 5.12.4.

Time Range

1980 to present.

Freshness

Updated monthly with a ~3-week latency.

Geography

Global coverage on a 0.625 x 0.5 degree latitude-longitude grid.