Monthly Binned Geopotential Height Data from Aura Satellite

August 2004 to present near-global monthly binned geopotential height data derived from the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument. The data is produced by the GES DISC and binned on various vertical grids from radiances measured by 118 and 240 GHz radiometers. Spatial coverage spans -82 to +82 degrees latitude at 4 by 5-degree resolution.

Use Cases

• Analyze stratospheric temperature trends by correlating geopotential height averages with pressure levels across lat-lon maps.
• Study polar vortex dynamics using the vortex average vs theta group data over the near-global latitude range.
• Model atmospheric wave activity by examining zonal mean geopotential height standard deviation across latitude and pressure.
• Validate climate model outputs against satellite observations using monthly binned minimum and maximum GPH values.
• Investigate seasonal variability in the upper atmosphere using time-series of lat vs theta zonal mean data.

Strengths

• Continuous temporal coverage from August 2004 to present, providing over 18 years of data.
• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data includes multiple statistical measures per grid cell: average, min, max, standard deviation, and RMS.
• Vertical resolution varies between approximately 3.6 and 6 km across the recommended 261 to 0.001 hPa range.

Limitations

• Spatial resolution is coarse at 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude, limiting fine-scale analysis.
• Data quality and interpretation require consulting the specific EOS MLS Level 2 Version 4 Quality Document.
• The useful vertical range is constrained, excluding data above 261 hPa and below 0.001 hPa.

Provenance

Source

GES DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center), NASA.

Collection Method

Derived from radiances measured by the 118 and 240 GHz radiometers on the EOS Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) instrument.

Time Range

August 2004 to present.

Freshness

Updated to current, indicating ongoing data collection.

Geography

Near-global, -82 to +82 degrees latitude.