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Description

M2IMNXINT (or instM_2d_int_Nx) is an instantaneous 2-dimensional monthly mean data collection in Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2). This collection consists of vertically integrated diagnostics, such as kinetic energy, virtual potential temperature, and total precipitable water (or ice, liquid, and vapor). The collection also includes variance of certain variables.

MERRA-2 is the latest version of global atmospheric reanalysis for the satellite era produced by NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) using the Goddard Earth Observing System Model (GEOS) version 5.12.4. The dataset covers the period of 1980-present with the latency of ~3 weeks after the end of a month.

Data Reprocessing: Please check “Records of MERRA-2 Data Reprocessing and Service Changes” linked from the “Documentation” tab on this page. Note that a reprocessed data filename is different from the original file.

MERRA-2 Mailing List: Sign up to receive information on reprocessing of data, changing of tools and services, as well as data announcements from GMAO. Contact the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov) to be added to the list.

Questions: If you have a question, please read "MERRA-2 File Specification Document", “MERRA-2 Data Access – Quick Start Guide”, and FAQs linked from the ”Documentation” tab on this page. If that does not answer your question, you may post your question to the NASA Earthdata Forum (forum.earthdata.nasa.gov) or email the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov).

Version Description

The GEOS-5 model version used for processing MERRA-2

Product Summary

Platforms
MERRA-2
Instruments
NOT APPLICABLE
Spatial Extent

N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180

Spatial Resolution
0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees
Location
GLOBAL
Coordinate System
CARTESIAN
Granule Spatial Representation
CARTESIAN
Temporal Extent
1980-01-01 to Present
Data Partner
Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (formerly Goddard DAAC), Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Earth Sciences Division, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA (NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/GESDI
Concept ID
C1276812825-GES_DISC
Data State
ACTIVE
Number of Files/Granules
556
Processing Level
4
Published
Updated
Science Keywords
Total Precipitable Water ,
Cloud Liquid Water/Ice ,
Atmospheric Water Vapor ,
Oxygen Compounds ,
Potential Temperature ,
Potential Temperature ,
Air Mass/Density

Citation

Citation is critically important for dataset documentation and discovery. This dataset is openly shared, without restriction, in accordance with the EOSDIS Data Use and Citation Guidance.

Copy Citation

Global Modeling and Assimilation Office, & Pawson, S. (2015). MERRA-2 instM_2d_int_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Instantaneous,Single-Level,Assimilation,Vertically Integrated Diagnostics V5.12.4 [Data set]. NASA Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center. https://doi.org/10.5067/KVTU1A8BWFSJ Date Accessed: 2026-05-25

Documents

Publications Citing This Dataset

Filters
Title Year Author Topic
Stratospheric-trace-gas-profile retrievals from balloon-borne limb imaging of mid-infrared emission spectra Runge, Ethan, Langille, Jeff, Zawada, Daniel, Bourassa, Adam, Degenstein, Doug Total Precipitable Water, Cloud Liquid Water/Ice, Atmospheric Water Vapor, Oxygen Compounds, Potential Temperature, Potential Temperature, Air Mass/Density
The amazon water cycle: perspectives from water budget closure and ocean salinity Reeves Eyre, J. E. Jack, Zeng, Xubin Heat Flux, Heat Flux, Heat Flux, Heat Flux, Longwave Radiation, Longwave Radiation, Shortwave Radiation, Shortwave Radiation, Water Vapor Tendency, Water Vapor Flux, Cloud Dynamics, Cloud Microphysics, Snow/Ice, Precipitation, Atmospheric Ozone, Surface Pressure, Surface Temperature, Humidity, Evapotranspiration, Surface Winds, Rain, Precipitation Rate, Snow, Soil Moisture/Water Content, Soil Temperature, Land Surface Temperature, Snow Water Equivalent, Runoff, Air Temperature, Skin Temperature, Specific Humidity, Water Vapor, Evaporation, Latent Heat Flux, Latent Heat Flux, Sensible Heat Flux, Diffusion, Surface Winds, Wind Speed, U/V Wind Components, Wind Stress, Wind Stress, Surface Roughness, Planetary Boundary Layer Height, Ice Fraction, Total Precipitable Water, Cloud Liquid Water/Ice, Atmospheric Water Vapor, Oxygen Compounds, Potential Temperature, Potential Temperature, Air Mass/Density
Trends of atmospheric water vapour in Switzerland from ground-based radiometry, FTIR and GNSS data Bernet, Leonie, Brockmann, Elmar, von Clarmann, Thomas, Kampfer, Niklaus, Mahieu, Emmanuel, Matzler, Christian, Stober, Gunter, Hocke, Klemens Total Precipitable Water, Cloud Liquid Water/Ice, Atmospheric Water Vapor, Oxygen Compounds, Potential Temperature, Potential Temperature, Air Mass/Density
Atmospheric water balance and variability in the MERRA-2 reanalysis Bosilovich, Michael G., Robertson, Franklin R., Takacs, Lawrence, Molod, Andrea, Mocko, David Specific Humidity, Water Vapor Tendency, Water Vapor Processes, Atmospheric Ozone, Sea Level Pressure, Surface Pressure, U/V Wind Components, U/V Wind Components, Potential Vorticity, Vertical Wind Velocity/Speed, Vertical Profiles, Upper Air Temperature, Air Temperature, Relative Humidity, Atmospheric Water Vapor, Cloud Liquid Water/Ice, Altitude, Geopotential Height, Ozone Profiles, Heat Flux, Heat Flux, Heat Flux, Heat Flux, Longwave Radiation, Longwave Radiation, Shortwave Radiation, Shortwave Radiation, Water Vapor Flux, Cloud Dynamics, Cloud Microphysics, Snow/Ice, Precipitation, Skin Temperature, Water Vapor, Precipitation Rate, Evaporation, Latent Heat Flux, Latent Heat Flux, Sensible Heat Flux, Diffusion, Surface Winds, Wind Speed, Wind Stress, Wind Stress, Surface Roughness, Planetary Boundary Layer Height, Ice Fraction, Total Precipitable Water, Oxygen Compounds, Potential Temperature, Potential Temperature, Air Mass/Density
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Variables

The table below lists the variables contained within a single granule for this dataset. Variables often contain observed or derived geophysical measurements collected from a variety of sources, including remote sensing instruments on satellite and airborne platforms, field campaigns, in situ measurements, and model outputs. The terms variable, parameter, scientific data set, layer, and band have been used across NASA’s Earth science disciplines; however, variable is the designated nomenclature in NASA’s Common Metadata Repository (CMR). Variable metadata attributes such as Name, Description, Units, Data Type, Fill Value, Valid Range, and Scale Factor allow users to efficiently process and analyze the data. The full range of attributes may not be applicable to all variables. Additional information on variable attributes is typically available in the data, user guide, and/or other product documentation.

For questions on a specific variable, please use the Earthdata Forum.

Name Description Units Data Type Fill Value Valid Range Scale Factor Offset
CPT CPT J m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
KE KE J m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
lat lat degrees_north float64 N/A N/A N/A N/A
lon lon degrees_east float64 N/A N/A N/A N/A
MASS MASS kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
THV THV K float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
time time minutes since 2025-11-01 00:00:00 int32 N/A N/A N/A N/A
TOX TOX kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
TQI TQI kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
TQL TQL kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
TQV TQV kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_CPT Var_CPT J m-2 J m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_KE Var_KE J m-2 J m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_MASS Var_MASS kg m-2 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_THV Var_THV K K float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_TOX Var_TOX kg m-2 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_TQI Var_TQI kg m-2 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_TQL Var_TQL kg m-2 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
Var_TQV Var_TQV kg m-2 kg m-2 float32 999999986991104 N/A N/A N/A
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