Satellite Ocean Grids with Wind, Vapor, Cloud, and Rain Data

Satellite-derived oceanographic grids contain 3-day averaged measurements of ocean wind speed, atmospheric water vapor, cloud liquid water, and rain rate. The dataset is produced by Remote Sensing Systems for NASA's MEaSUREs Program using a unified algorithm refined over 20 years. Data from the DMSP F11 satellite is reformatted into netCDF files by the Global Hydrology Resource Center.

Use Cases

• Analyzing spatial patterns of ocean surface winds for weather and climate modeling.
• Studying the global distribution and transport of atmospheric water vapor.
• Investigating relationships between cloud liquid water content and precipitation rates.
• Validating and calibrating other satellite or model-based environmental data products.
• Examining long-term trends in oceanic rain rates and their seasonal variability.

Strengths

• Data products are based on a unified, physically-based algorithm refined over 20 years of development.
• SSMIS data is intercalibrated with previous SSM/I sensors to ensure a consistent long-term time series.
• The dataset's cross-platform presence on Data.gov and NASA EarthData signals its importance and curation.

Limitations

• Critical metadata such as row count, file size, and specific column names are not provided by any source.
• There is a significant conflict in the 'last updated' date: Data.gov lists 2026-03-12, while NASA EarthData lists 2000-05 16.

Provenance

Source

Remote Sensing Systems, produced for NASA's MEaSUREs Program.

Collection Method

Data retrieved from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) on the DMSP F11 satellite using a unified retrieval algorithm, then reformatted into netCDF by the Global Hydrology Resource Center.

Time Range

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Freshness

2026-03-12 22:22:25.563332

Geography

Global ocean coverage.