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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

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Dataset Version Platforms Instruments Temporal Extent Spatial Extent Spatial Resolution Data Format
MERRA-2 inst3_3d_aer_Nv: 3d,3-Hourly,Instantaneous,Model-Level,Assimilation,Aerosol Mixing Ratio 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2I3NVAER) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 tavgM_3d_cld_Np: 3d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Cloud Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNPCLD) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 instM_2d_asm_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Single-Level,Assimilation,Single-Level Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2IMNXASM) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_ocn_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Ocean Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXOCN) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 inst6_3d_ana_Nv: 3d,6-Hourly,Instantaneous,Model-Level,Analysis,Analyzed Meteorological Fields 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2I6NVANA) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_ocn_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Ocean Surface Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXOCN) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 instM_2d_int_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Instantaneous,Single-Level,Assimilation,Vertically Integrated Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2IMNXINT) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 tavgM_3d_qdt_Np: 3d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Moist Tendencies 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNPQDT) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 instM_3d_ana_Np: 3d,Monthly mean,Instantaneous,Pressure-Level,Analysis,Analyzed Meteorological Fields 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2IMNPANA) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

MERRA-2 tavgU_2d_slv_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Single-Level Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXSLV) at GES DISC 5.12.4 MERRA-2 NOT APPLICABLE 1980-01-01 to Present

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

SHOWING 10 OF 998
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).
Learn More About VIIRS
True color corrected reflectance image of Africa, Europe, and Asia from the VIIRS instrument aboard the NOAA-21 satellite

From MODIS to VIIRS: Continuing the Legacy

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).
Earthdata graphic identifier on top of chart data

VIIRS-Atmosphere Near Real-Time Data

Near real-time atmosphere data from the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) are available through NASA's Land, Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for Earth observation (LANCE).

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