Suomi-NPP VIIRS SST3: Triple-Window Sea Surface Temperature

Suomi-NPP VIIRS Level-3 Global Binned Triple-window Sea Surface Temperature (SST3) - Near Real-time (NRT) Data provides sea surface temperature retrieved with a triple-window thermal-infrared algorithm. This method combines three atmospheric windows near 8.6 µm, 11 µm, and 12 µm to better correct for water-vapor effects compared to standard split-window SST. The dataset is produced as a quicklook product, providing a snapshot of data during a short time period within a single orbit using the best-available ancillary data.

Use Cases

• Monitoring ocean heat content based on triple-window SST measurements.
• Assessing near real-time sea surface temperature anomalies for weather forecasting.
• Validating atmospheric correction algorithms using the triple-window method.
• Studying short-term oceanic thermal events using quicklook orbital snapshots.

Strengths

• Algorithm employs a triple-window method for improved water-vapor correction compared to standard split-window SST.
• Data is produced in near real-time, providing timely snapshots for operational use.
• Dataset is hosted by NASA and appears on multiple platforms, indicating established use.

Limitations

• Quicklook products use less-than-optimal ancillary data and calibration inputs.
• Key metadata such as row count, size, and specific time range are not provided across sources.
• One platform lists a last updated date of 2026-04-09, which is a future date and may indicate a metadata error.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument, processed with a triple-window thermal-infrared algorithm.

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:56:37.037425

Geography

Global