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MERRA-2 wind track visualization of Typhoon Dora
the 3-hourly 500 hPa geopotential height field (units of meters) from MERRA-2 for the starting time 0000 UTC May 3rd, ending 0000 UTC May 8th, 2025.
Global map of SO2 surface mass concentration from MERRA-2.

MERRA

Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications
State: Past

Data Centers

GES DISC

The Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, version 1 (MERRA) was the first NASA atmospheric data reanalysis for the satellite era. MERRA was released in 2009, and was based on a 2008 build of the Goddard Earth Observing System Model, version 5 (GEOS-5.2.0). MERRA was used to drive reanalyses of land surface and atmospheric aerosol data, producing data products spanning 1979 through February 2016.

MERRA was discontinued in February 2016 and superseded by MERRA version-2 (MERRA-2), which uses GEOS-5.12.4. It is highly recommended to use MERRA-2 instead of MERRA whenever possible because the data quality is generally improved. MERRA is only recommended when this older version must be included, such as in an ensemble or comparison of reanalyses. MERRA-2 hosts 100 data collections (compared to MERRA’s 66), including aerosol collections. 

MERRA-2’s retroactive analysis products begin in 1980, and extend through a few weeks behind real-time. A detailed comparison between MERRA and MERRA-2 is provided in tables 1-5 of the MERRA Standard Products tab.

For more information, please consult the NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) MERRA project page. You may also contact the Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC) by email. MERRA and MERRA-2 data are archived through GES DISC.

Table 1: Overview of MERRA and MERRA-2 projects

 MERRAMERRA-2
Version of GEOS model*5.2.05.12.4
Renalysis Atmospheric reanalysis for the satellite eraAtmospheric reanalysis for the satellite era, including coupled aerosols
Number of collections66100
Year of Release / deprecation2008 / 20162016 / ongoing
Temporal CoverageJan 1, 1979 → Feb 29, 2016Jan 1, 1980 → present
Spatial Coverage Global Global 
Spatial Resolution0.5° × 0.667° grid with 72 model layers0.5° × 0.625° grid with 72 model layers
Temporal Resolution1-hour, 3-hour, monthly mean, monthly diurnal1-hour, 3-hour, daily, monthly mean, monthly diurnal, climate mean
Data format HDF-EOS2NetCDF

* GEOS: The Goddard Earth Observing System Model. This version of the GEOS model is used to generate MERRA or MERRA-2. 

 

Table 2: List of MERRA Time-independent collections

This table includes both ESDT and GMAO shortname as well as the dataset Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), along with their MERRA-2 counterparts. (Note that the hyperlink for each MERRA collection redirects users to the landing page of its MERRA-2 counterpart. However, in the case of no MERRA-2 counterpart (i.e., N/A), the hyperlink of that MERRA collection redirects users to this webpage. 

Time-independent Collections
MERRA Collection Shortnames and DOI MERRA-2 Collection Shortnames and DOICollection Description 
MAC0NASM (const_2d_asm_Nx) doi:10.5067/HEE4F4IL912IM2C0NXASM (const_2d_asm_Nx) doi:10.5067/ME5QX6Q5IGGUDAS 2D constant

Table 3: List of MERRA Analysis collections

This table includes both ESDT and GMAO shortname as well as the dataset Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), along with their MERRA-2 counterparts. (Note that the hyperlink for each MERRA collection redirects users to the landing page of its MERRA-2 counterpart. However, in the case of no MERRA-2 counterpart (i.e., N/A), the hyperlink of that MERRA collection redirects users to this webpage. 

Analysis Collections 
MERRA Collection Shortnames and DOIMERRA-2 Collection Shortnames and DOICollection Description 
MAI6NVANA (inst6_3d_ana_Nv) doi:10.5067/WGY2HAX25374M2I6NVANA (inst6_3d_ana_Nv) doi:10.5067/IUUF4WB9FT4W6-Hourly,Instantaneous,Model-Level,Analyzed Meteorological Fields
MAI6NPANA (inst6_3d_ana_Np) doi:10.5067/ADAWH64DCRU0M2I6NPANA (inst6_3d_ana_Np) doi:10.5067/A7S6XP56VZWS6-Hourly,Instantaneous,Pressure-Level,Analyzed Meteorological Fields
MAIMNPANA (instM_3d_ana_Np) doi:10.5067/DO94EIBSPTVKM2IMNPANA (instM_3d_ana_Np) doi:10.5067/V92O8XZ30XBIMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level, Analyzed Meteorological Fields
MAIUNPANA (instU_3d_ana_Np) doi:10.5067/8NEYZ8WH8ZTZM2IUNPANA (instU_3d_ana_Np) doi:10.5067/TRD91YO9S6E7Diurnal,Instantaneous,Pressure-Level,Analyzed Meteorological Fields

Table 4: List of MERRA Historical collections

This table includes both ESDT and GMAO shortname as well as the dataset Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), along with their MERRA-2 counterparts. (Note that the hyperlink for each MERRA collection redirects users to the landing page of its MERRA-2 counterpart. However, in the case of no MERRA-2 counterpart (i.e., N/A), the hyperlink of that MERRA collection redirects users to this webpage. 

Historical Collections
MERRA Collection Shortnames and DOI MERRA-2 Collection Shortnames and DOICollection Description 
MAI3CPASM (inst3_3d_asm_Cp) doi:10.5067/8D4LU4390C4SM2I3NPASM (inst3_3d_asm_Np) doi:10.5067/QBZ6MG944HW03-Hourly,Instantaneous,Pressure-Level,Assimilated Meteorological Fields
MAIMCPASM (instM_3d_asm_Cp) doi:10.5067/YX0AVASQRTNWM2IMNPASM (instM_3d_asm_Np) doi:10.5067/2E096JV59PKMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level, Assimilated Meteorological Fields
MAIUCPASM (instU_3d_asm_Cp) doi:10.5067/BUFAR1DPYIR9M2IUNPASM (instU_3d_asm_Np) doi:10.5067/6EGRBNEBMIYSDiurnal,Instantaneous,Pressure-Level,Assimilated Meteorological Fields
MAT3CPCLD (tavg3_3d_cld_Cp) doi:10.5067/TW0W0RC88E9AM2T3NPCLD (tavg3_3d_cld_Np) doi:10.5067/TX10URJSKT533-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Cloud Diagnostics
MATMCPCLD (tavgM_3d_cld_Cp) doi:10.5067/ZCUTDLD0K5J5M2TMNPCLD (tavgM_3d_cld_Np) doi:10.5067/J9R0LXGH48JRMonthly, Mean, Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Cloud Diagnostics
MATUCPCLD (tavgU_3d_cld_Cp) doi:10.5067/CNZM99S3RG7ZM2TUNPCLD (tavgU_3d_cld_Np) doi:10.5067/EPW7T5UO0C0N3d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Cloud Diagnostics
MAT3CPMST (tavg3_3d_mst_Cp) doi:10.5067/03WVRVVXCHZXM2T3NPMST (tavg3_3d_mst_Np) doi:10.5067/0TUFO90Q2PMS3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Moist Processes Diagnostics
MATMCPMST(tavgM_3d_mst_Cp) doi:10.5067/4M29ELQ8YCQ7M2TMNPMST(tavgM_3d_mst_Np) doi:10.5067/ZRZGD0DCK1CGMonthly Mean, Pressure-Level,Assimilation, Moist Processes Diagnostics
MATUCPMST (tavgU_3d_mst_Cp) doi:10.5067/Y2GBNRPNXAP9M2TUNPMST (tavgU_3d_mst_Np) doi:10.5067/ZRSN0JU27DK23d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Moist Processes Diagnostics
MAT3CPRAD (tavg3_3d_rad_Cp) doi:10.5067/DNZTCFMAG3FWM2T3NPRAD (tavg3_3d_rad_Np) doi:10.5067/3UGE8WQXZAOK3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics
MATUCPRAD (tavgU_3d_rad_Cp) doi:10.5067/LH1YI6ZWQ7USM2TUNPRAD (tavgU_3d_rad_Np) doi:10.5067/H140JMDOWB0YDiurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics
MATMCPRAD (tavgM_3d_rad_Cp) doi: 10.5067/7SCF81BU67P5M2TMNPRAD (tavgM_3d_rad_Np) doi:10.5067/H3YGROBVBGFJMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics
MAT3CPTRB (tavg3_3d_trb_Cp) doi:10.5067/GOESEQLL1OT2M2T3NPTRB (tavg3_3d_trb_Np) doi:10.5067/ZRRJPGWL8AVL3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Turbulence Diagnostics
MATMCPTRB (tavgM_3d_trb_Cp) doi:10.5067/QA89B6E18FPDM2TMNPTRB (tavgM_3d_trb_Np) doi:10.5067/2YOIQB5C3ACNMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Turbulence Diagnostics
MATUCPTRB (tavgU_3d_trb_Cp) doi:10.5067/IQIC17GD3IBJM2TUNPTRB (tavgU_3d_trb_Np) doi:10.5067/2A99C60CG7WC3d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Turbulence Diagnostics
MAT3CPTDT (tavg3_3d_tdt_Cp) doi:10.5067/RP02UMM6LH1BM2T3NPTDT (tavg3_3d_tdt_Np) doi:10.5067/9NCR9DDDOPFI 3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Temperature Tendencies
MATMCPTDT (tavgM_3d_tdt_Cp) doi:10.5067/0ASY0WOAY6B7M2TMNPTDT (tavgM_3d_tdt_Np) doi:10.5067/VILT59HI2MOYMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Temperature Tendencies
MATUCPTDT (tavgU_3d_tdt_Cp) doi:10.5067/MD8MXR7AT7SLM2TUNPTDT (tavgU_3d_tdt_Np) doi:10.5067/QPO9E5TPZ8OF3d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Temperature Tendencies
MAT3CPUDT (tavg3_3d_udt_Cp) doi:10.5067/BVOFEHG7TR07M2T3NPUDT (tavg3_3d_udt_Np) doi:10.5067/CWV0G3PPPWFW3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Wind Tendencies
MATMCPUDT (tavgM_3d_udt_Cp) doi:10.5067/8T03TZ8Q2FUVM2TMNPUDT (tavgM_3d_udt_Np) doi:10.5067/YSR6IA5057XXMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Wind Tendencies
MATUCPUDT (tavgU_3d_udt_Cp) doi:10.5067/G0OZII3GJUFOM2TUNPUDT (tavgU_3d_udt_Np) doi:10.5067/DO715T7T5PG83d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Wind Tendencies 
MAT3CPQDT (tavg3_3d_qdt_Cp) doi:10.5067/V365884H75QSM2T3NPQDT (tavg3_3d_qdt_Np) doi:10.5067/A9KWADY78YHQ3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Moist Tendencies
MATMCPQDT (tavgM_3d_qdt_Cp) doi:10.5067/IKOB0OFBQSQZM2TMNPQDT (tavgM_3d_qdt_Np) doi:10.5067/2ZTU87V69ATPMonthly Mean,Pressure-Level,Assimilation, Moist Tendencies
MATUCPQDT (tavgU_3d_qdt_Cp) doi:10.5067/UZAIGK5VQY08M2TUNPQDT (tavgU_3d_qdt_Np) doi:10.5067/S8HJXIR0BFTS3d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Moist Tendencies
MAT3CPODT (tavg3_3d_odt_Cp) doi:10.5067/JFFR2J7H4CGMM2T3NPODT (tavg3_3d_odt_Np) doi:10.5067/S0LYTK57786Z3-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Ozone Tendencies
MATMCPODT (tavgM_3d_odt_Cp) doi:10.5067/L4R625MTJQMDM2TMNPODT (tavgM_3d_odt_Np) doi:10.5067/Z2KCWAV4GPD2Monthly Mean,Pressure-Level,Assimilation, Ozone Tendencies
MATUCPODT (tavgU_3d_odt_Cp) doi:10.5067/0L7VCF36DL1RM2TUNPODT (tavgU_3d_odt_Np) doi:10.5067/M8OJ09GZP23E3d,Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Ozone Tendencies
MAT1NXSLV (tavg1_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/B6DQZQLSFDLHM2T1NXSLV (tavg1_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/VJAFPLI1CSIV1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Single-Level Diagnostics
MATMNXSLV (tavgM_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/W3UEUC5V7M9MM2TMNXSLV (tavgM_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/AP1B0BA5PD2KMonthly Mean,Single-Level,Assimilation, Single-Level Diagnostics
MATUNXSLV (tavgU_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/OKP99VQR4C63M2TUNXSLV (tavgU_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/AFOK0TPEVQEKMERRA 2D IAU Diagnostic, Single Level Meteorology, Diurnal
MAT1NXFLX (tavg1_2d_flx_Nx) doi:10.5067/4EQ54AKI405RM2T1NXFLX (tavg1_2d_flx_Nx) doi:10.5067/7MCPBJ41Y0K61-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Surface Flux Diagnostics
MATMNXFLX (tavgM_2d_flx_Nx) doi:10.5067/JX8Q6J3NH5QDM2TMNXFLX (tavgM_2d_flx_Nx) doi:10.5067/0JRLVL8YV2Y4MERRA 2D IAU Diagnostic, Surface Fluxes, Monthly Mean
MATUNXFLX (tavgU_2d_flx_Nx) doi:10.5067/HN9F4C3SHW5AM2TUNXFLX (tavgU_2d_flx_Nx) doi:10.5067/LUHPNWAKYIO3MERRA 2D IAU Diagnostic, Surface Fluxes, Diurnal
MAT1NXRAD (tavg1_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/RI9VTUQN74XJM2T1NXRAD (tavg1_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/Q9QMY5PBNV1T1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics
MATMNXRAD (tavgM_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/6UX3EDUNVUFKM2TMNXRAD (tavgM_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/OU3HJDS973O0Monthly Mean,Single-Level,Assimilation, Radiation Diagnostics
MATUNXRAD (tavgU_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/F992PMIHBH0GM2TUNXRAD (tavgU_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/4SDCJYK8P9QUDiurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation, Radiation Diagnostics
MAT1NXLND (tavg1_2d_lnd_Nx) doi:10.5067/YL8Z7MICQZF9M2T1NXLND (tavg1_2d_lnd_Nx) doi:10.5067/RKPHT8KC1Y1T1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics
MATMNXLND (tavgM_2d_lnd_Nx) doi:10.5067/XOHTIIK0W9RKM2TMNXLND (tavgM_2d_lnd_Nx) doi:10.5067/8S35XF81C28FMonthly Mean,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics
MATUNXLND (tavgU_2d_lnd_Nx) doi:10.5067/8LXGGREWG0YFM2TUNXLND (tavgU_2d_lnd_Nx) doi:10.5067/W0J15047CF6NDiurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Land Surface Diagnostics
MAT1NXOCN (tavg1_2d_ocn_Nx) doi:10.5067/678J8KM836JWM2T1NXOCN (tavg1_2d_ocn_Nx) doi:10.5067/Y67YQ1L3ZZ4R1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Ocean Surface Diagnostics
MATMNXOCN (tavgM_2d_ocn_Nx) doi:10.5067/LH0VEHYM7Y8ZM2TMNXOCN (tavgM_2d_ocn_Nx) doi:10.5067/4IASLIDL8EECMonthly Mean,Single-Level,Assimilation,Ocean Surface Diagnostics
MATUNXOCN (tavgM_2d_ocn_Nx) doi:10.5067/F9U8V5L6EYSTM2TUNXOCN (tavgU_2d_ocn_Nx) doi:10.5067/KLNAVGAX7J66Diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Ocean Surface Diagnostics
MAI1NXINT (inst1_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/G09SADROGUJ1M2I1NXINT (inst1_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/G0U6NGQ3BLE01-hourly, Instantaneous, 2D vertical integrals and budget terms
MAIMNXINT (instM_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/QL0PGBK2CYJSM2IMNXINT (instM_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/KVTU1A8BWFSJMonthly Mean,Single-Level, Assimiated Vertically Integrated Diagnostics
MAIUNXINT (instU_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/UO7L2B5NFYUPM2IUNXINT (instU_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/DGAB3HFEYMLYDiurnal Instantaneous,Single-Level,Vertically Integrated Diagnostics
MAT1NXINT (tavg1_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/GQC5N9KQ2V08M2T1NXINT (tavg1_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/Q5GVUVUIVGO71-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Vertically Integrated Diagnostics
MATMNXINT (tavgM_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/JBJDIWKAEU03M2TMNXINT (tavgM_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/FQPTQ4OJ22TLMonthly Mean,Single-Level, Assimilation,Vertically Integrated Diagnostics
MATUNXINT (tavgU_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/49IH37L9PTFRM2TUNXINT (tavgU_2d_int_Nx) doi:10.5067/R2MPVU4EOSWTMERRA 2D IAU Diagnostic, Vertical Integrals and Budget Terms, Diurnal

Table 5: List of MERRA Chemistry Forcing collections

This table includes both ESDT and GMAO shortname as well as the dataset Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs), along with their MERRA-2 counterparts. (Note that the hyperlink for each MERRA collection redirects users to the landing page of its MERRA-2 counterpart. However, in the case of no MERRA-2 counterpart (i.e., N/A), the hyperlink of that MERRA collection redirects users to this webpage. 

Chemistry Forcing Collections
MERRA Collection Shortnames and DOIMERRA-2 Collection Shortnames and DOICollection Description 
MAC0FXCHM (const_2d_chm_Fx) doi:10.5067/SKUZ0LM7V0NZN/AMERRA 2-D invariants on chemistry grid
MAT3FVCHM (tavg3_3d_chm_Fv) doi:10.5067/T090IC50UTTON/AMERRA Chem 3D IAU States Cloud Precip, Time average 3-hourly
MAT3FECHM (tavg3_3d_chm_Fe) doi:10.5067/LMO1V37720QBN/AMERRA Chem 3D IAU, Precip Mass Flux, Time average 3-hourly
MAT3FXCHM (tavg3_2d_chm_Fx) doi:10.5067/1GTO5H32Z7M1N/AMERRA Chem 2D IAU Diagnostics, Fluxes and Meteorology, Time Average 3-hourly
MATMFXCHM (tavgM_2d_chm_Fx) doi:10.5067/IYDN3LNZ63UEN/AMERRA Chem 2D IAU Diagnostics, Fluxes and Meteorology, Monthly Mean
MATUFXCHM (tavgU_2d_chm_Fx) doi:10.5067/J0OQ0KN7139FN/AMERRA Chem 2D IAU Diagnostics, Fluxes and Meteorology, Diurnal
MAT3NVCHM (tavg3_3d_chm_Nv) doi:10.5067/2KS2FY49J579N/AMERRA Chem 3D IAU C-Grid Edge Mass Flux, Time Average 3-Hourly
MAT3NECHM (tavg3_3d_chm_Ne) doi:10.5067/WY64R563N9D8N/AMERRA Chem 3D IAU C-Grid Edge Mass Flux, Time Average 3-Hourly
MAI3NECHM (inst3_3d_chm_Ne) doi:10.5067/R07F7ONCKX9IN/A3-Hourly,Instantaneous,Model-Level,Assimilated Pressure
MERRA-land or Land-only Collections (i.e., the off-line Land Model)
MERRA Collection Shortnames and DOICollection Description 
MSC0NXMLD (const_2d_mld_Nx) doi:10.5067/OO1C980V73VVDAS 2D Land constants
MST1NXMLD (tavg1_2d_mld_Nx) doi:10.5067/OQ6B1RHOHBI8MERRA-Land 2D Land Surface Diagnostics, Time Average 1-hourly
MSTMNXMLD (tavgM_2d_mld_Nx) doi:10.5067/K9PCGOMQ1XP1MERRA-Land 2D Land Surface Diagnostics, Simulated, Monthly
MSTUNXMLD (tavgU_2d_mld_Nx) doi:10.5067/5IXZ5JMZ8XHZMERRA-Land 2D Land Surface Diagnostics, Simulated, Diurnal
Collections Subsetted along CloudSat Tracks
MERRA Collection Shortnames and DOICollection Description 
MAT1NXRAD_CPR (tavg1_2d_rad_Nx) doi:10.5067/D14DS7FUHKIQMERRA 2D IAU Diagnostic, Radiation Surface and TOA, Time Average 1-hourly 
MAI3CPASM_CPR (inst3_3d_asm_Cp) doi:10.5067/8D4LU4390C4SMERRA 3D IAU State, Meteorology Instantaneous 3-hourly
MAT1NXSLV_CPR (tavg1_2d_slv_Nx) doi:10.5067/EWNCGPMIVPB4 MERRA 2D IAU Diagnostic, Single Level Meteorology, Time Average 1-hourly 
MAT3CPCLD_CPR (tavg3_3d_cld_Cp) doi:10.5067/WRACG6ZGOJNWMERRA 3D IAU Diagnostic, Cloud Properties, Time average 3-hourly

Template to cite MERRA data:

Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO), {MERRA data collection title}, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], {Dataset DOI}

We strongly recommend users cite the MERRA dataset with the dataset DOI in their publications to indicate which data collections were used in their research. The DOIs are listed in Table 2-5 under the MERRA Standard Products tab.