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Ocean Winds Data Access and Tools
NASA has ocean winds datasets that help researchers characterize the flow of air moving across the ocean. Access a range of data and data tools such as AppEEARS, Worldview, and Giovanni to make the most of ocean winds data.
Ocean Winds Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KMZ for ALOS PALSAR Radiometric Terrain Corrected Product | 1 | ALOS | PALSAR | 2006-03-23 to 2011-04-22 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| MERRA-2 tavg1_2d_flx_Nx: 2d,1-Hourly,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Surface Flux Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2T1NXFLX) 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_flx_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Surface Flux Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXFLX) 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_flx_Nx: 2d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Surface Flux Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNXFLX) at GES DISC | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| MetOp-A ASCAT ESDR Level 2 Ancillary Ocean Surface Fields Version 1.1 | 1.1 | MODELS, METOP-A | Computer, ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| Metop-A ASCAT Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 2 Observed and Modeled Spatial Derivatives of Surface Wind and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 12.5-km Ocean Surface Wind Vector Climate Data Record Optimized for Coastal Ocean | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 25-km Ocean Surface Wind Vector Climate Data Record | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-01 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
25 Kilometers x 25 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 25.0 km Ocean Surface Wind Vectors | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-03-27 to 2021-11-15 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Level 2 Ocean Surface Wind Vectors Optimized for Coastal Ocean | Operational/Near-Real-Time | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2010-08-18 to 2021-11-15 |
N: 89.6 S: -89.6 E: 180 W: -180 |
12500 Meters x 12500 Meters | netCDF-4 |
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Featured Ocean Winds Observation Method: S-MODE
The Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) was a NASA campaign studying small-scale ocean eddies and fronts. S-MODE consisted of three deployments off the coast of San Francisco during the fall of 2021-2022 and spring of 2023. Airborne measurements were taken with different remote instruments including the Doppler Scatterometry (DopplerScatt), Multiscale Observing System of the Ocean Surface (MOSES), Modular Aerial Sensing System (MASS), and Portable Remote Imaging SpectroMeter (PRISM). In-situ measurements were obtained through research vessels, gliders, drifters, and other water-based platforms.
The S-MODE project combined airborne remote sensing and in-situ data to reveal upper-ocean dynamics and small-scale ocean features.
Join us to learn more about the Sub-Mesoscale Ocean Dynamics Experiment (S-MODE) and how to access and use its free and open data.
Ocean Winds Data Tools
| Tool Sort descending | Description | Services | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthdata Search | Earthdata Search enables data discovery, search, comparison, visualization, and access across NASA’s Earth science data holdings. | Search and Discovery, Access, Cataloging, Cloud Computing, Downloading | |
| Worldview | Worldview offers the capability to interactively browse over 1,200 global, full-resolution satellite imagery layers and download the underlying data. | Analysis, Search and Discovery, Visualization, Access, Comparison, Monitoring Natural Events |
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Frequently Asked Questions
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