Satellite Ocean Product Grids: 3-Day Average Atmospheric Variables

A 3-day average dataset of satellite-derived ocean and atmospheric variables from the DMSP F15 satellite's SSM/I and SSMIS sensors. The data is produced by Remote Sensing Systems under NASA's MEaSUREs Program using a unified algorithm refined over 20 years. It provides a continuous, intercalibrated time series of key geophysical parameters.

Use Cases

• Analyzing trends in ocean surface wind speed for climate studies.
• Modeling atmospheric water vapor content and its role in weather systems.
• Investigating the distribution of cloud liquid water and its impact on radiative balance.
• Studying precipitation patterns and rain rates over the global oceans.
• Calibrating and validating other satellite or model-derived environmental data.

Strengths

• Data is intercalibrated across sensor generations (SSM/I to SSMIS) to ensure a consistent, long-term time series.
• Retrieval algorithm is the result of 20 years of refinements, improvements, and verifications.
• Produced under NASA's MEaSUREs Program, indicating a standardized, authoritative source.

Limitations

• Exact temporal coverage, row count, and file size are not specified in the provided metadata.
• A conflict exists in the 'last updated' field: one source lists 2026-03-12 (future date), while another lists 2011-12 31.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing using the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) and Special Sensor Microwave Imager Sounder (SSMIS) on the DMSP F15 platform, with data processed via a unified physical retrieval algorithm.

Time Range

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Freshness

2026-03 12 21:55:01.438425

Geography

Global ocean coverage.