AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.0 and 5.1 global 4km sea surface temperature (SST) daily, 5-day, and monthly harmonic climatologies for 1982-2008

This dataset contains global, 4km daily, 5-day, and monthly sea surface temperature climatologies derived from harmonic analysis of the AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.0 and 5.1 sea surface temperature time series data for 1982-2008. The daily climatology is available as 366 separate files, each representing one day in a climatological year. The 5-day climatology is available as 73 separate files, each representing a 'pentad,' or 5-day period, in a climatological year. The monthly climatology is available as 12 separate files, each representing one month in a climatological year. The files are in netCDF-4 and fully comply with the GHRSST Data Specification 2.0 for Level 4 products. In addition to climatological sea surface temperature, each file contains standard deviation, sea ice concentration, sea ice concentration error, and land mask information.

This accession also includes 'classic', or mean, daily, 5-day, and monthly sea surface temperature climatologies derived from the same Pathfinder time series data. These climatologies were used to gap-fill the harmonic climatologies, and provided the standard deviation information.

In some ice-dominated high-latitude areas, the harmonic climatology is poorly constrained due to uneven distribution throughout the year of the valid measurements. For example, at 67.5S, 73W near the Antarctic coast, temperatures estimated in the harmonic climatology reach almost 40C. In these regions, the classic, averaged climatological values may be more reliable.

Data and Resources

Field Value
access_constraints ["Cite as: Casey, Kenneth S.; Kearns, Edward J.; Halliwell, Vicki; Evans, Robert (2011). AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.0 and 5.1 global 4km sea surface temperature (SST) daily, 5-day, and monthly harmonic climatologies for 1982-2008. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/AVHRR_Pathfinder-NODC-v5.0_v5.1-climatologies. Accessed [date].", "Please also cite: Casey, K.S., T.B. Brandon, P. Cornillon, and R. Evans (2010). \"The Past, Present and Future of the AVHRR Pathfinder SST Program\", in Oceanography from Space: Revisited, eds. V. Barale, J.F.R. Gower, and L. Alberotanza, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-8681-5_16", "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."]
bbox-east-long 180
bbox-north-lat 90
bbox-south-lat -90
bbox-west-long -180
contact-email ncei.info@noaa.gov
coupled-resource []
dataset-reference-date [{"type": "publication", "value": "2011-11-16"}, {"type": "revision", "value": "2011-12-17"}]
frequency-of-update asNeeded
graphic-preview-description Preview graphic
graphic-preview-file https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:AVHRR_Pathfinder-NODC-v5.0_v5.1-climatologies
graphic-preview-type PNG
guid gov.noaa.nodc:AVHRR_Pathfinder-NODC-v5.0_v5.1-climatologies
licence ["accessLevel: Public"]
metadata-date 2021-07-13T17:09:06Z
metadata-language eng
metadata_type geospatial
old-spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -90.0], [180.0, -90.0], [180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, -90.0]]]}
progress completed
resource-type series
responsible-party [{"name": "", "roles": ["pointOfContact"]}]
spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -90.0], [180.0, -90.0], [180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, -90.0]]]}
spatial_harvester true
temporal-extent-begin 1982-01-01
temporal-extent-end 2008-12-31
Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • 4km-pathfinder
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • avhrr
  • ckan
  • earth-science
  • geo
  • geoss
  • national
  • north-america
  • ocean-temperature
  • oceanography
  • oceans
  • sea-surface-temperature
  • united-states
isopen False
metadata_created 2025-11-21T05:45:41.305567
metadata_modified 2025-11-21T05:45:41.305571
notes This dataset contains global, 4km daily, 5-day, and monthly sea surface temperature climatologies derived from harmonic analysis of the AVHRR Pathfinder Version 5.0 and 5.1 sea surface temperature time series data for 1982-2008. The daily climatology is available as 366 separate files, each representing one day in a climatological year. The 5-day climatology is available as 73 separate files, each representing a 'pentad,' or 5-day period, in a climatological year. The monthly climatology is available as 12 separate files, each representing one month in a climatological year. The files are in netCDF-4 and fully comply with the GHRSST Data Specification 2.0 for Level 4 products. In addition to climatological sea surface temperature, each file contains standard deviation, sea ice concentration, sea ice concentration error, and land mask information. This accession also includes 'classic', or mean, daily, 5-day, and monthly sea surface temperature climatologies derived from the same Pathfinder time series data. These climatologies were used to gap-fill the harmonic climatologies, and provided the standard deviation information. In some ice-dominated high-latitude areas, the harmonic climatology is poorly constrained due to uneven distribution throughout the year of the valid measurements. For example, at 67.5S, 73W near the Antarctic coast, temperatures estimated in the harmonic climatology reach almost 40C. In these regions, the classic, averaged climatological values may be more reliable.
num_resources 21
num_tags 15
title AVHRR Pathfinder version 5.0 and 5.1 global 4km sea surface temperature (SST) daily, 5-day, and monthly harmonic climatologies for 1982-2008