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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 | Version Sort ascending | Platforms | Instruments | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSCAT Level 3 Daily Gridded Ocean Surface Wind Vector Browse Images (JPL) | 2 | ADEOS-I | NSCAT | 1996-09-15 to 1997-06-29 |
N: 75 S: -75 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.5 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees | GIF |
| NSCAT Level 2 Ocean Wind Vector Ambiguity Removal Overlay (Hoffman, AER) | 2 | ADEOS-I | NSCAT | 1996-09-15 to 1997-06-29 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | ASCII |
| COWVR STP-H8 Surface Wind Vector and Column-Integrated Atmospheric Water Measurements Version 10.0 | 10.0 | ISS | COWVR | 2022-01-08 to Present |
N: 61 S: -61 E: 180 W: -180 |
35 Kilometers x 35 Kilometers | HDF5 |
| RapidScat Level 2B Ocean Wind Vectors in 12.5km Slice Composites Version 1.3 | 1.3 | ISS | RapidScat | 2016-02-11 to 2016-08-19 |
N: 61 S: -61 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| CYGNSS Level 3 Climate Data Record Version 1.2 | 1.2 | CYGNSS | DDMI | 2018-08-01 to Present |
N: 40 S: -40 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.2 Decimal Degrees x 0.2 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| NOAA CYGNSS Level 2 Science Wind Speed 25-km Product Version 1.2 | 1.2 | CYGNSS | DDMI | 2017-05-01 |
N: 40 S: -40 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| RapidScat Level 2B Ocean Wind Vectors in 12.5km Slice Composites Version 1.2 | 1.2 | ISS | RapidScat | 2015-08-19 to 2016-08-19 |
N: 61 S: -61 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| CYGNSS Level 2 Climate Data Record Version 1.2 | 1.2 | CYGNSS | DDMI | 2018-08-01 to Present |
N: 40 S: -40 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| RapidScat Level 2B Ocean Wind Vectors in 12.5km Slice Composites Version 1.1 | 1.1 | ISS | RapidScat | 2014-10-03 to 2016-03-10 |
N: 61 S: -61 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| 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 |
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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.
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