We are in the process of migrating all NASA Earth science data sites into Earthdata from now until end of 2026. Not all NASA Earth science data and resources will appear here until then. Thank you for your patience as we make this transition.
Read about the Web Unification Project
Atmospheric Rivers Data Access and Tools
From discovery to visualization, data tools such as Earthdata Search, Worldview, and Application for Extracting and Exploring Analysis Ready Samples (AppEEARS) guide users in making the most of atmospheric rivers data.
Atmospheric Rivers Datasets
| Dataset | Version Sort ascending | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAFARI 2000 TOVS Surface and Atmospheric Parameters, 1-Deg, 1999-2001 | 1 | NOAA-9, NOAA-12, NOAA-10, NOAA-11 | TOVS | 1999-01-01 to 2001-12-31 |
N: 5 S: -35 E: 60 W: 5 |
Shapefile | |
| CERES and MISR Along-Track Footprint Radiances, Fluxes, and Clouds Terra-FM2 | 1 | Terra | MODIS, CERES-FM1, CERES SCANNER, MISR, CERES-FM2 | 2000-04-12 to 2005-02-28 | HDF4 | ||
| NARSTO Pacific 2001 Air Quality Study (PAC2001) Golden Ears Gaseous and Particulate Matter (PM) Data | 1 | GROUND STATIONS | AETHALOMETER, TEMPERATURE PROBES, UV OZONE DETECTORS, GAS CHROMATOGRAPHS, XRF, CHEMILUMINESCENCE, ION CHROMATOGRAPHS, HUMIDITY SENSORS, DIFFERENTIAL MOBILITY ANALYZERS, WIND MONITOR, PRESSURE SENSORS | 2001-08-03 to 2001-08-11 | ASCII | ||
| BOREAS Derived Surface Meteorological Data | 1 | FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS, METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS | THERMOCOUPLES, HUMIDITY SENSORS, WIND MONITOR, BAROMETERS, NET RADIOMETERS, PYRANOMETERS, RAIN GAUGES, ULTRASONIC DEPTH GAUGE, INFRARED THERMOMETERS, Pyrgeometer, LICOR QUANTUM SENSOR | 1994-01-01 to 1996-12-31 |
N: 56.25 S: 53.42 E: -97.23 W: -106.32 |
ASCII | |
| NWS Daily Climatology Data: 1972-1990 | 1 | METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS | HYGROMETERS, RAIN GAUGES, PYRANOMETERS, THERMOMETERS | 1972-01-01 to 1990-12-31 |
N: 48.1697 S: 47.6575 E: -91.7658 W: -92.5058 |
ASCII | |
| Eddy Corr. Surface Flux: UK (FIFE) | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | CO2 ANALYZERS, Bowen Ratio Devices, EDDY CORRELATION DEVICES, HYGROMETERS, SOIL HEAT FLUX TRANSDUCER, SOIL TEMPERATURE PROBE, NET RADIOMETERS, THERMOCOUPLES, ANEMOMETERS | 1987-05-14 to 1989-08-16 |
N: 39.11 S: 38.98 E: -96.45 W: -96.61 |
multiple | |
| First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Cirrus Phase II University of North Dakota Citation Aircraft 5 Second Data | 1 | NASA WB-57F | RT, PRESSURE TRANSDUCERS, PMS, CLOUD LIQUID WATER PROBE, THERMOMETERS | 1991-11-22 to 1991-11-22 | Binary | ||
| Sounder SIPS: Suomi NPP CrIMSS Level 3 Comprehensive Quality Control Gridded Daily CHART Normal Spectral Resolution V1 | 1 | Suomi-NPP | CrIS, ATMS | 2013-01-01 to 2015-11-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| First ISCCP Regional Experiment (FIRE) Atlantic Stratocumulus Transition Experiment (ASTEX) University of Washington C-131A Discrete Data | 1 | C-131A | SPECTROMETERS, GAS CHROMATOGRAPHS, ION CHROMATOGRAPHS, THERMOMETERS | 1992-06-02 to 1992-06-27 | ASCII | ||
| TOVS GLA MONTHLY GRIDS from NOAA-12 02 (TOVSAMND) at GES DISCc | 02 | NOAA-12 | TOVS, HIRS/2, MSU | 1991-06-01 to 1998-11-30 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
SHOWING 10 OF 1001
Featured Atmospheric Rivers Observation Method: VIIRS
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instruments are aboard the joint NASA/NOAA Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) and NOAA-platforms. The orbits of the platforms make them ideally positioned to observe atmospheric rivers reaching the west coast of North America. The VIIRS instruments include five high-resolution image bands, sixteen moderate-resolution bands, and one unique panchromatic day/night band ultra-sensitive in low-light conditions. The VIIRS instruments build on the heritage of their successful predecessors, the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWIFS).
The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) will help ensure continuity of Earth observations after the upcoming retirement of the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS).
With the eventual retirement of the Terra and Aqua platforms, the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instruments will take the lead in daily Earth observations.
19 MIN READ
Frequently Asked Questions
Earthdata Forum
Our online forum provides a space for users to browse thousands of FAQs about research needs, data, and data applications. You can also submit new questions for our experts to answer.
Submit Questions to Earthdata Forumand View Expert Responses