Gridded Data Sets

It is often easier to use data that has been processed into a regular latitude-longitude grid. However, data from polar orbiting satellites is archived in swaths, relative to the satellite track, rather than a global grid. Satellite data must be averaged in places where tracks cross, and gaps in coverage must be filled. This problem can be solved by averaging over sufficiently long times, but many researchers are interested in averages over shorter times. The rapidly growing use of satellite observations has lead to many techniques for averaging and/or filling gaps.

Several forms of gridded data will be available online. Links to descriptions of the data sets are available. The following general table outlines the available gridded data products. A more detailed table that focusses on gridded techniques is also available. Further explanations of winds, pseudostresses, and stresses are available.

Information on Gridded Products

The available data sets are described below. Links to the data and detailed descriptions of the data set content and format are included where available.

NSCAT

Please send updates and comments to NSCAT-products@coaps.fsu.edu.

Documentation on data structures (e.g., layout of data, units, scaling factors) and meta-data have been developed by some of the providers of the data sets. If and when available, links to this information will be added.

QSCAT

Please send updates and comments to QSCAT-sfc-truth@coaps.fsu.edu.

Documentation on data structures (e.g., layout of data, units, scaling factors) and meta-data will be developed by the providers of the data sets. If and when available, links to this information will be provided. For a delay in production, all listed delays are relative to the end of the day that the data becomes available.

Read routines are linked (if available) to a more detailed description of the data sets.

Distribution Source

Many of our data sets are available through the Distributed Oceanographic Data System (DODS).

Development Team

Several people have worked on the scatterometry topic for COAPS/FSU. A full list of those involved can be viewed here.