NOAA-20 VIIRS: Global Nighttime Sea Surface Temperature Data, Near Real-time

Near real-time (NRT) global sea surface temperature data from the NOAA-20 satellite's VIIRS sensor. The Ocean Biology DAAC produces these quicklook products using the best-available ancillary meteorological and ozone data for a snapshot within a single orbit. The dataset is produced by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and was last updated in March 2026.

Use Cases

• Monitor diurnal temperature variations based on nighttime-only sea surface temperature measurements.
• Validate and calibrate ocean circulation models based on near real-time satellite observations.
• Analyze short-term thermal anomalies for event detection based on quicklook orbital snapshots.
• Assimilate satellite-derived temperature data into meteorological forecasts based on the near real-time availability.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time, providing timely snapshots of ocean conditions.
• Provides global spatial coverage for nighttime sea surface temperature.
• Produced by the authoritative National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
• Last metadata update was March 2026, indicating recent platform activity.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The description notes quicklook products use less-than-optimal inputs and calibration.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ocean Biology DAAC

Collection Method

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

Time Range

Near real-time, with data representing snapshots within single orbits.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT) production; last platform update 2026-03-12.

Geography

Global