SNDRSNIML3SMSFSP: High-Resolution Atmospheric Profiles from IR/MW Sounders

SiFSAP algorithm products offer 3-times higher horizontal spatial resolution and 9-times denser data than other current IR sounder products by retrieving data for each individual Field of View. This monthly Level-3 dataset contains gridded geophysical parameters, including atmospheric temperature and water vapor profiles, ozone, cloud properties, and surface temperature, derived from Suomi NPP CrIMSS instrument measurements. Data is filtered using a specific quality control protocol that maximizes yield by accepting only Level-2 retrievals with the best quality flags down to a determined atmospheric level.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical temperature and humidity profiles for weather model validation.
• Studying cloud top properties and their radiative impact on climate.
• Monitoring global ozone distribution and atmospheric composition.
• Investigating land and sea surface temperature anomalies at a half-degree grid scale.
• Comparing retrieval yields and quality between different atmospheric pressure levels using the specific QC protocol.

Strengths

• Provides significantly higher spatial resolution (3x) and data density (9x) than comparable IR sounder products.
• Implements a defined quality control protocol (QC values 0 and 1) to maximize reliable data yield per variable and level.
• Contains a multi-parameter suite of atmospheric and surface variables derived from combined IR/MW sounder measurements.

Limitations

• Specific column names and dataset size (rows, file size) are not provided in any source.
• The 'last updated' metadata conflicts, with one source showing a future date (2026-04-09) and others showing null.
• Documentation on the exact temporal coverage and update frequency for the monthly product is absent.

Provenance

Source

GES_DISC (Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center)

Collection Method

Retrievals from Suomi NPP Cross-track Infrared Microwave Sounding Suite (CrIMSS) measurements processed with the SiFSAP algorithm.

Freshness

2026-04-09 20:29:52.193445

Geography

Global, gridded at 0.5 degree latitude by 0.5 degree longitude resolution.