Gridded Satellite Infrared Brightness Temperature Record from 1980

Gridded satellite observations provide infrared window channel brightness temperature data for climate analysis. The dataset offers coverage every 3 hours from 1980 to the present, updated quarterly, and is produced by NOAA's Climate Data Record Program. Data is remapped onto a 0.07-degree latitude grid covering 70°S to 70°N.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term infrared brightness temperature trends using the calibrated IR window channel data.
• Validate climate model outputs against observed top-of-atmosphere radiances from the quality-controlled geostationary observations.
• Study diurnal and seasonal temperature cycles using the 3-hourly temporal resolution across the global grid.
• Perform spatial subsetting and mapping of temperature data facilitated by the equal-angle projection grid.
• Assess inter-satellite calibration consistency via the normalization against HIRS channel 12 data.

Strengths

• Temporal coverage spans from 1980 to the present, providing over 40 years of data.
• Data is updated quarterly, offering relatively recent observations.
• The IR window channel has received extensive inter-satellite calibration, qualifying it as a Climate Data Record.
• Grid resolution is approximately 8km at the equator (0.07 degrees), offering uniform spatial detail.

Limitations

• The dataset's spatial coverage is limited from 70 degrees South to 70 degrees North, excluding polar regions.
• Specific row counts, file sizes, and exact update dates are not provided in the description.
• The description notes updates occur 'as possible', indicating potential irregularity in the update schedule.

Provenance

Source

NOAA_NCEI

Collection Method

Quality controlled, calibrated, and remapped geostationary satellite observations from the ISCCP B1 dataset.

Time Range

1980 to present

Freshness

Updated quarterly

Geography

Global coverage in longitude, from 70°S to 70°N latitude.