Global Monthly Ocean Heat Flux and Wind Stress Climatologies

Global ocean radiation and heat budget data compiled by Esbensen and Kushnir in 1981, archived at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. The dataset includes monthly climatologies for surface wind speed, sea surface temperature, and various heat flux components. Data is prepared on a 4x5 degree grid for heat budget and a 5x5 degree grid for wind stress.

Use Cases

• Analyzing net downward heat flux and latent heat flux to model ocean energy absorption.
• Correlating sea surface temperature with sea/air temperature difference and specific humidity.
• Mapping global wind stress patterns using surface wind speed and sea level pressure data.
• Studying radiative balance using available solar radiation and net upward longwave radiation.
• Investigating cloudiness impact on net downward radiative flux and sensible heat flux.

Strengths

• Data compiled from authoritative sources Esbensen and Kushnir (heat budget) and Han and Lee (stress).
• Global coverage on standardized latitude/longitude grids (4x5 and 5x5 degrees).
• Includes 14 distinct physical variables describing ocean-atmosphere fluxes.

Limitations

• Data originates from 1981, representing a historical climatology rather than current conditions.
• Specific row counts, update frequency, and sample sizes are unknown.
• Column definitions and exact data formats are unspecified.

Provenance

Source

National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), from Oregon State University Climate Research Institute reports.

Collection Method

Compiled climatologies from historical research reports.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.