NOAA-20 VIIRS SST3: Near Real-Time Regional Sea Surface Temperature Data

Regional sea surface temperature data from the NOAA-20 satellite's VIIRS sensor, processed in near real-time. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Ocean Biology DAAC produces these quicklook products using the best-available ancillary data from meteorological and ozone sources. These products provide a snapshot of data during a short time period within a single orbit.

Use Cases

• Monitor short-term sea surface temperature anomalies based on near real-time satellite observations.
• Validate and initialize ocean circulation models based on regional triple-window SST data.
• Study diurnal warming events based on quicklook products from single satellite orbits.
• Assimilate satellite-derived temperature data into meteorological forecasts based on the described ancillary data inputs.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time, providing timely snapshots.
• Processed by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC, an authoritative source for oceanographic data.
• Uses a triple-window algorithm for sea surface temperature retrieval, which likely improves atmospheric correction.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description notes inputs and calibration are 'less than optimal' for these quicklook products.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ocean Biology DAAC

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the NOAA-20 spacecraft's VIIRS sensor, processed with ancillary meteorological and ozone data.

Time Range

Near real-time, covering short time periods within single orbits.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-12 23:15:14.336014; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Regional coverage, specific regions not specified.