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    • NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of MSU and AMSU-A Mean Layer Temperatures, UAH Version 6.0

    Metadata Updated: September 19, 2023

    This dataset includes monthly gridded temperature anomalies on a global 2.5 x 2.5 degree grid derived from Microwave Sounding Unit (MSU) and Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU) radiance data since December 1978. In addition, there are monthly regional anomalies and monthly mean annual cycle temperatures. All products are derived for four bulk layers of the atmosphere: the Lower Troposphere (TLT), Mid-Troposphere (TMT), Tropopause (TTP) and Lower Stratosphere (TLS). Version 6.0 is the latest UAH version archived at NOAA and is updated monthly. It utilizes the linear calibration equation with hot-target correction for the MSU series (TIROS-N through NOAA-14) rather than other non-linear calibration equations. Gridded values of absolute temperature are calculated from a polynomial fit in the vertical coordinate of all view angle temperatures binned into each grid over a month. The selected temperature is calculated from a prescribed view-angle where it intersects the polynomial fit of the temperature vs. view-angle relationship or each grid. The diurnal adjustment is completely empirical, calculated by comparing a diurnally-drifting spacecraft against one that is not drifting during their overlap comparison period (for a.m. spacecraft, NOAA-15 vs. (non-drifting) AQUA, and for p.m., NOAA-18 vs. (non-drifting) NOAA-19 during 4 years). The calculated diurnal relationship of temperature change vs. time of day is then applied to all drifting satellites. The Lower Troposphere is calculated from a linear combination of TMT, TTP and TLS rather than from a linear combination of view-angles from the single channel (MSU2 or AMSU5) as was done in versions 5.6 and earlier. A new bulk layer centered on the Tropopause was added in version 6.0. These products were converted from the native text file format to netCDF-4 following CF metadata conventions, and they are accompanied by algorithm documentation, data flow diagram and source code for the NOAA CDR Program.

    Access & Use Information

    License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

    Downloads & Resources

    Dates

    Metadata Date August 10, 2023
    Metadata Created Date February 3, 2023
    Metadata Updated Date September 19, 2023
    Reference Date(s) June 19, 2017 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update monthly

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from ncdc

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    Image of Brightness Temperature Anomalies in the Lower Troposphere for 2012.

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date August 10, 2023
    Metadata Created Date February 3, 2023
    Metadata Updated Date September 19, 2023
    Reference Date(s) June 19, 2017 (publication)
    Responsible Party DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (Point of Contact)
    Contact Email
    Guid gov.noaa.ncdc:C00961
    Access Constraints Cite this dataset when used as a source. John R. Christy, Roy W. Spencer, William D. Braswell, Kevin G. Doty, and NOAA CDR Program (2017): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of MSU and AMSU-A Mean Layer Temperatures, UAH Version 6.0. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5MC8X31 [access date]., Publications using this dataset should also reference the following journal article: Spencer, R. W., Christy, J. R., & Braswell, W. D. (2017, February). UAH Version 6 global satellite temperature products: Methodology and results. Asia-Pacific Journal of Atmospheric Sciences. Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13143-017-0010-y, See the Use Agreement for this CDR available on the CDR page., 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., 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 180.0
    Bbox North Lat 90.0
    Bbox South Lat -90.0
    Bbox West Long -180.0
    Coupled Resource
    Frequency Of Update monthly
    Graphic Preview Description Image of Brightness Temperature Anomalies in the Lower Troposphere for 2012.
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C00961_Image_MLT_UAH.png
    Graphic Preview Type PNG
    Harvest Object Id f1b53d23-7141-4da4-a499-db6a8e71c81d
    Harvest Source Id 2cb3ef77-1683-4c2a-9119-dc65e50917c6
    Harvest Source Title ncdc
    Licence See the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document for a description of use limitations.
    Lineage This dataset was produced by the Earth System Science Center, University of Alabama in Huntsville, and is archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
    Metadata Language eng; USA
    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 onGoing
    Spatial Data Service Type
    Spatial Reference System
    Spatial Harvester True
    Temporal Extent Begin 1978-12-01

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