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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.2 Level 3 Collated (L3C) Global 4km Sea Surface Temperature for 2000 (NCEI Accession 0073595)

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The AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.2 Sea Surface Temperature dataset (PFV52) is a collection of global, twice-daily 4km sea surface temperature data produced in a partnership by the NOAA National Oceanographic Data Center and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science. PFV52 was computed from data from the AVHRR instruments on board NOAA's polar orbiting satellite series using an entirely modernized system based on SeaDAS. This system incorporates several key changes from Versions 5.0 and 5.1 of Pathfinder, including the use of an entirely new land mask, a modified grid, and the inclusion of sea ice, wind speed, and aerosol ancillary data to support the use of the SST data. Importantly, PFV52 data are provided in netCDF-4 (classic model, with internal compression and chunking) and are nearly 100% compliant with the GHRSST Data Specification Version 2.0 for L3C products. These data deviate from that standard only in that sses_bias, sses_standard_deviation, and sst_dtime variables are empty. PFV52 data were collected through the operational periods of the NOAA-7 through NOAA-18 Polar Operational Environmental Satellites (POES), and are available for 1981 through 2010. Data for all years are available as separate NODC accessions. This accession contains data for 2000.
  • Cite as: Casey, Kenneth S.; US National Oceanographic Data Center (2011). AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.2 Level 3 Collated (L3C) Global 4km Sea Surface Temperature for 2000 (NCEI Accession 0073595). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073595. Accessed [date].
gov.noaa.nodc:0073595
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Distribution Formats
  • Originator data format
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
+1-301-713-3277
NCEI.Info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Time Period 2000-01-01 to 2000-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.2 level 3 collated (L3C) global 4km sea surface temperature for 1981-2012
    • NCEI Collection
      Navigate directly to the URL for data access and direct download.
  • Parent ID (indicates this dataset is related to other data):
    • gov.noaa.nodc:AVHRR_Pathfinder-NODC-L3C-v5.2
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2011-06-13
  • revision: 2021-10-15
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Supplemental Information
The purpose of this dataset is to provide sea surface temperature data and related parameters with good temporal consistency, high accuracy and spatial resolution, and for archive and distribution through the NOAA National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC). This SST data collection is intended primarily for climate related applications and studies and is produced with partial support from the NOAA Climate Data Record Program. The Pathfinder Version 5.2 dataset follows the international format, content and metadata standard defined by the Group for High Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST) in the GHRSST Data Specification Version 2.0 (GDS2.0). These data deviate from that standard only in that sses_bias, sses_standard_deviation, and sst_dtime variables are empty. The GDS2.0 Technical Specifications document can be downloaded from the GHRSST Project Office at https://www.ghrsst.org/documents/q/category/gds-documents/operational/.

SSTs in months near the summer (June) solstice and winter (December) solstice are often incorrect above 50 degrees latitude, due to improper splitting of the mixed night and day granules due to a code error in the NASA SeaDAS package used to create daily PFSST 5.2 L3C (collated) data and MODISV5 products. Given that evidence of climate change is happening most rapidly in these latitudes it is important that the user is aware of the possible erroneous SST values in the Pathfinder products above 50 degrees latitude. Please use a more up-to-date version of the Pathfinder product.

The entire Pathfinder Version 5.2 collection is available in separate yearly accessions:
1981 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0071185
1982 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073577
1983 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073578
1984 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073579
1985 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073580
1986 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073581
1987 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073582
1988 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073583
1989 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073584
1990 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073585
1991 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073586
1992 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073587
1993 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073588
1994 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073589
1995 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073590
1996 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073591
1997 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073592
1998 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073593
1999 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073594
2000 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073595
2001 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073596
2002 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073597
2003 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073598
2004 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073599
2005 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073600
2006 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073601
2007 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073602
2008 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073603
2009 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073604
2010 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073605
2011 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0099811
2012 - https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0111842

In this accession, NCEI has archived multiple versions of these data. The latest (and best) version of these data has the largest version number.
Purpose This dataset is available to the public for a wide variety of uses including scientific research and analysis.
Use Limitations
  • accessLevel: Public
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Casey, Kenneth S.; US National Oceanographic Data Center (2011). AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.2 Level 3 Collated (L3C) Global 4km Sea Surface Temperature for 2000 (NCEI Accession 0073595). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073595. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
Contributors
Resource Providers
Publishers
Theme keywords NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS WMO_CategoryCode
  • oceanography
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
Data Center keywords NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
Platform keywords NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes
Instrument keywords NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
Place keywords NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
Project keywords NODC PROJECT NAMES THESAURUS Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
Keywords NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Casey, Kenneth S.; US National Oceanographic Data Center (2011). AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.2 Level 3 Collated (L3C) Global 4km Sea Surface Temperature for 2000 (NCEI Accession 0073595). [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/0073595. Accessed [date].
Access Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Processing Steps
  • 2011-06-13T21:31:53Z - NCEI Accession 0073595 was revised and v2.2 was published.
    Rationale: Updates were received for this dataset. These updates were copied into the data/0-data/ directory of this accession. These updates may provide additional files or replace obsolete files. This version contains the most complete and up-to-date representation of this archival information package. All of the files received prior to this update are available in the preceding version of this accession.
  • 2021-10-15T02:35:24Z - NCEI Accession 0073595 v1.1 was published.
Output Datasets
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • AVHRR-2
  • AVHRR-3
Platform
  • NOAA-14
  • NOAA-16
Last Modified: 2023-10-06T23:22:36Z
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov