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    • NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST), Version 6

    Metadata Updated: December 12, 2025

    The NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) dataset is a global monthly sea surface temperature dataset derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Dataset (ICOADS). It is produced on a 2 x 2 degree grid with spatial completeness enhanced using statistical methods. This monthly analysis begins in January 1850 continuing to the present and includes anomalies computed with respect to a 1971-2000 monthly climatology. Version 6 (v6) is the newest version of ERSST. ERSSTv6 uses in situ ship, buoy, and Argo observations and reconstructed using an Artificial Neural Network method. The data are available in NetCDF and ASCII formats, with the same file convention of the previous version ERSSTv5. Major changes of ERSSTv6 from previous version ERSSTv5 include: (1) removing a 3-month running average, (2) using an interpolation method of an artificial neural network (ANN) instead of the Empirical Orthogonal Teleconnection (EOT) functions, 3) applying a nearest neighbor check (NNC) quality-control algorithm on ship observations, 4) applying a large-scale (>200 km) filter (LS200) on SST superobservations, and 5) upgrading algorithms in proxy SST from ice concentration using climatological SST and sea surface salinity instead of proxy SST of a constant freezing point of -1.8°C. SST anomalies (SSTAs) are in reference to 1991-2020 climatology, while 1971-2000 climatology was used in previous versions. Other features remain the same as in ERSSTv5. Other features remain same as in the previous ERSST version 5. The data are written to monthly netCDF files following CF Metadata Conventions.

    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 4, 2025
    Metadata Created Date December 12, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date December 12, 2025
    Reference Date(s) July 19, 2017 (publication)
    Frequency Of Update monthly

    Metadata Source

    Harvested from ncdc

    Other Data Resources

    Graphic Preview

    ERSST v6 image for January 2001.

    Additional Metadata

    Resource Type Dataset
    Metadata Date August 4, 2025
    Metadata Created Date December 12, 2025
    Metadata Updated Date December 12, 2025
    Reference Date(s) July 19, 2017 (publication)
    Responsible Party NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (Point of Contact); 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:C01737
    Access Constraints Cite as: Boyin Huang, Xungang Yin, Tim Boyer, Chunying Kiu, Matthew J. Menne, Yuhan Douglas Rao, Thomas M. Smith, Russell S. Vose, and Huai-Min Zhang (2025): NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST), Version 6. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:TBD [access date]., Publications using this dataset should also reference the following journal article: Huang, B., X. Yin, T. Boyer, C. Liu, M. Menne, Y. D. Rao, T. Smith, R. Vose, H.-M. Zhang, 2025: Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature Version 6 (ERSSTv6): Part I. An Artificial Neural Network Approach. J. Climate, 38, 1105-1121. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-23-0707.1 Part II. Upgrades on Quality Control and Large-scale Filter. J. Climate, 38, 1123-1136. https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-24-0185.1, 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 ERSST v6 image for January 2001.
    Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C00927_ERSSTv5.png
    Graphic Preview Type PNG
    Harvest Object Id b27f6a41-7030-4623-a1d5-f042856f64e3
    Harvest Source Id 2cb3ef77-1683-4c2a-9119-dc65e50917c6
    Harvest Source Title ncdc
    Licence
    Lineage The data were produced by and are archived at the NOAA 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 1850-01-01

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