Suomi-NPP VIIRS Level-2 Regional Triple-window Sea Surface Temperature (SST3) - Near Real-

This dataset provides near real-time sea surface temperature (SST) retrievals using a triple-window thermal-infrared algorithm from Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite data. The algorithm combines three atmospheric windows (typically near 8.6 µm, 11 µm, and 12 µm) to better correct for water-vapor effects compared with standard split-window SST. Geophysical variables in this suite include triple-window SST bias, product-specific flags, level 2 processing flags, quality levels, SST reference, and standard deviation. The data is available via NASA's Earthdata platform and Data.gov, supporting oceanographic research, climate monitoring, and operational applications.

Use Cases

• Monitoring marine heatwaves and ocean temperature anomalies
• Assimilating SST data into numerical weather prediction models
• Studying ocean-atmosphere interactions and climate patterns
• Validating satellite SST retrievals against in-situ measurements
• Supporting fisheries management and marine ecosystem studies

Strengths

• Triple-window algorithm reduces water-vapor effects compared to standard split-window methods
• Near real-time availability supports operational monitoring
• Includes comprehensive quality flags and uncertainty metrics
• Part of NASA's authoritative satellite data stream

Limitations

• Quicklook products may use less than optimal calibration data
• May require preprocessing for specific applications
• Cloud contamination can affect retrievals
• Regional coverage may have gaps depending on satellite orbit