NOAA-20 VIIRS: Near Real-Time Day/Night Sea Surface Temperature Data

NOAA-20 VIIRS Level-2 Regional 11µm Day/Night Sea Surface Temperature (SST) data is produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC at NASA. The near real-time (NRT) quicklook products provide a snapshot of data from a single orbit using the best-available ancillary meteorological and ozone data at the time. The dataset uses version R2024.0 and was last updated on 2026-03 12.

Use Cases

• Monitor near real-time sea surface temperature anomalies based on the 11µm day/night band data.
• Assimilate quicklook satellite observations into short-term ocean forecasting models based on the single-orbit snapshot nature.
• Analyze regional ocean temperature patterns for climate research based on the Level-2 regional SST product.
• Validate and calibrate other satellite or in-situ temperature data sources based on the VIIRS sensor measurements.

Strengths

• Data is produced by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC, an authoritative source for oceanographic satellite data.
• Provides near real-time (NRT) quicklook products for timely analysis.
• Includes both day and night sea surface temperature measurements from the 11µm band.

Limitations

• The description states quicklook products use 'less than optimal' inputs and calibration compared to final products.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and spatial/temporal granularity are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Ocean Biology DAAC

Collection Method

Satellite observations from the NOAA-20 spacecraft's VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite) sensor.

Time Range

Near real-time (NRT), providing data snapshots from single orbits.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:18:02.429257; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Regional sea surface coverage, specific regions not detailed in input.