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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| CYGNSS Level 2 Climate Data Record Version 1.0 | 1.0 | CYGNSS | DDMI | 2017-03-18 to 2021-02-28 |
N: 40 S: -40 E: 180 W: -180 |
25000 Meters x 25000 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| SPURS-2 Passive Accoustic Listener (PAL) data from ARGO float deployments during the E. Tropical Pacific field campaign | 1.0 | ARGO | HUMIDITY SENSORS | 2016-08-25 to 2018-08-22 |
N: 12.106 S: 8.861 E: -116.57 W: -129.129 |
1 Meters x 1 Meters | netCDF-4 |
| MetOp-A ASCAT Scatterometer Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 3 Ocean Surface Equivalent Neutral Wind Vectors and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-A | ASCAT | 2007-01-01 to 2014-04-02 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.125 Decimal Degrees x 0.125 Decimal Degrees | netCDF-4 |
| Metop-B ASCAT Inter-Calibrated ESDR Level 2 Observed and Modeled Spatial Derivatives of Surface Wind and Wind Stress Version 1.0 | 1.0 | METOP-B | ASCAT | 2013-08-01 to 2022-05-31 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
12.5 Kilometers x 12.5 Kilometers | netCDF-4 |
| STS-68_METADATA_SLC | 1 | STS-68 | SIR-C | 1994-09-30 to 1994-10-12 | |||
| SENTINEL-1A_OCN | 1 | Sentinel-1A | C-SAR | 2014-04-03 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| S-MODE Level 4 Wavegliders Version 1 | 1 | Wave Glider | CTD, ADCP, MMS, CURRENT METERS | 2022-09-20 to 2023-05-13 |
N: 37.9 S: 35.7 E: -121.9 W: -125.8 |
netCDF-4 | |
| SENTINEL-1B_METADATA_OCN | 1 | Sentinel-1B | C-SAR | 2016-04-25 to 2021-12-24 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
||
| ALOS PALSAR Low Resolution Radiometric Terrain Corrected Product | 1 | ALOS | PALSAR | 2006-03-23 to 2011-04-22 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
SHOWING 10 OF 260
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.
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