Aura MLS Monthly Binned Temperature Profiles on Assorted Grids

ML3MBT provides monthly binned temperature data derived from radiances measured by the 118 and 240 GHz radiometers on the Aura satellite's Microwave Limb Sounder. Spatial coverage is near-global from -82 to +82 degrees latitude at a 4x5 degree resolution, with a useful vertical range from 261 to 0.001 hPa. The dataset is produced by the GES DISC and is based on the EOS MLS Level 2 Version 5.1 data.

Use Cases

• Analyze lat-lon map vs pressure group data to study the spatial distribution of monthly average temperature anomalies.
• Use lat vs pressure zonal mean data to examine hemispheric and seasonal temperature gradients in the stratosphere.
• Investigate vortex average vs theta data to understand polar vortex dynamics and its thermal structure.
• Compare min, max, and standard deviation fields within each group to assess monthly temperature variability and extremes at specific pressure levels.
• Utilize the equivalent lat vs theta zonal mean data for studies of atmospheric transport and tracer relationships.

Strengths

• Near-global spatial coverage from -82 to +82 degrees latitude.
• Data provided on multiple vertical grids (pressure and theta) with a recommended range from 261 to 0.001 hPa.
• Each data group includes statistical fields: average, min, max, standard deviation, and rms.

Limitations

• Vertical resolution varies between 3 and 6 km, which may be coarse for some fine-scale atmospheric process studies.
• The spatial resolution of 4 degrees latitude by 5 degrees longitude is relatively low for regional-scale analysis.
• Data quality and usage require consulting external documentation (EOS MLS Level 2 Version 5 Quality Document).

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

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

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

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