Summary

Description

This monthly climatology data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing. The temporal resolution is monthly, ranging from January to December. The NLDAS-2 monthly climatology data are the monthly data averaged over the thirty years (1980 - 2009) of the NLDAS-2 monthly data. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Brief description about the NLDAS-2 hourly and monthly Mosaic LSM data can be found from the GCMD DIFs for GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002 and GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_M_V002 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002 and http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_M_V002. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). The NLDAS-2 Mosaic model monthly climatology data set contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. There are six vertical levels for the Soil Moisture (PDS 086) in the Mosaic GRIB files. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_MC.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This monthly climatology data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing. The temporal resolution is monthly, ranging from January to December. The NLDAS-2 monthly climatology data are the monthly data averaged over the thirty years (1980 - 2009) of the NLDAS-2 monthly data. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Brief description about the NLDAS-2 hourly and monthly Mosaic LSM data can be found from the GCMD DIFs for GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002 and GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_M_V002 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002 and http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_M_V002. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). The NLDAS-2 Mosaic model monthly climatology data set contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. There are six vertical levels for the Soil Moisture (PDS 086) in the Mosaic GRIB files. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_MC.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-2 monthly Mosaic model data were generated from the NLDAS-2 hourly Mosaic model data, as monthly accumulation for rainfall, snowfall, subsurface runoff, surface runoff, total evapotranspiration, and snow melt, and monthly average for other variables. Monthly period of each month is from 00Z at start of the month to 23:59Z at end of the month, except the first month (Jan. 1979) that starts from 00Z 02 Jan 1979. Brief description about the NLDAS-2 monthly Mosaic model can be found from the GCMD DIF for NLDAS-2 hourly Mosaic data GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). The NLDAS-2 monthly Mosaic model data contain thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_M.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the monthly climatology data of the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing. The temporal resolution is monthly, ranging from January to December. The NLDAS-1 monthly climatology data are the monthly data averaged over the eleven years (1997 - 2007) of the NLDAS-1 monthly data. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly and monthly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIFs for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the monthly climatology data of the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing. The temporal resolution is monthly, ranging from January to December. The NLDAS-1 monthly climatology data are the monthly data averaged over the eleven years (1997 - 2007) of the NLDAS-1 monthly data. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly and monthly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIFs for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-2 monthly Mosaic model data were generated from the NLDAS-2 hourly Mosaic model data, as monthly accumulation for rainfall, snowfall, subsurface runoff, surface runoff, total evapotranspiration, and snow melt, and monthly average for other variables. Monthly period of each month is from 00Z at start of the month to 23:59Z at end of the month, except the first month (Jan. 1979) that starts from 00Z 02 Jan 1979. Brief description about the NLDAS-2 monthly Mosaic model can be found from the GCMD DIF for NLDAS-2 hourly Mosaic data GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_MOS0125_H_V002. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). The NLDAS-2 monthly Mosaic model data contain thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_M.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Aug. 1996 to Dec. 2007. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-1 monthly forcing data, containing 17 variables, are generated from the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIF for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. The variables, DLWRFsfc, DSWRFsfc, PRESsfc, SPFH2m, TMP2m, UGRD10m, and VGRD10m, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. The variables, BRTMPsfc and CAPEsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then do not include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, PARsfc and RGOESsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then reassign the variable as zero and include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, ACPCPsfc, APCPsfc, PEDASsfc, and PRDARsfc, are the monthly accumulation from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. However, the ACPCPsfc is actually the sum of the (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc)*APCPsfc from each hour, where the ratio of (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc) is the fraction of convective precipitation from EDAS, and then multiplied by the APCPsfc to get the convective precipitation. For PRDARsfc accumulation, if hourly PRDARsfc is undefined or negative, fill the hour with a zero value. The last variable, RSWRFsfc, is the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except represents the monthly average of the hourly "blend" of the DSWRFsfc from EDAS and RGOESsfc from GEOS. The blend algorithm is that, for each hour, the RGOESsfc from GEOS is used for all the grid points where it is available, but for where it is not available, the DSWRFsfc from EDAS is used. Because the spatial extent/availability of GEOS varies from hour to hour, this blend is done for hourly data first, and then the monthly average is applied to the hourly blended data. This last variable thus best represents the shortwave radiation flux downwards at the surface that is used in the NLDAS-1 LSMs. More about this blending/supplementation can be found from http://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/nldas/NLDAS1forcing.php. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). Mosaic was developed by Koster and Suarez (1994, 1996) to account for subgrid vegetation variability with a tile approach. Each vegetation tile carries its own energy and water balance and soil moisture and temperature. Each tile has three soil layers, with the first two in the root zone. In NLDAS, Mosaic is configured to support a maximum of 10 tiles per grid cell with a 5% cutoff that ignores vegetation classes covering less than 5% of the cell. Additionally in NLDAS, all tiles of Mosaic in a grid cell have a predominant soil type and three soil layers with fixed thickness values of 10, 30, and 160 cm (hence constant rooting depth of 40 cm and constant total column depth of 200 cm). The Mosaic LSM was forced by the hourly NLDAS-2 forcing "File A" files, and contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_H.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). Mosaic was developed by Koster and Suarez (1994, 1996) to account for subgrid vegetation variability with a tile approach. Each vegetation tile carries its own energy and water balance and soil moisture and temperature. Each tile has three soil layers, with the first two in the root zone. In NLDAS, Mosaic is configured to support a maximum of 10 tiles per grid cell with a 5% cutoff that ignores vegetation classes covering less than 5% of the cell. Additionally in NLDAS, all tiles of Mosaic in a grid cell have a predominant soil type and three soil layers with fixed thickness values of 10, 30, and 160 cm (hence constant rooting depth of 40 cm and constant total column depth of 200 cm). The Mosaic LSM was forced by the hourly NLDAS-2 forcing "File A" files, and contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_H.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from 29 Sep 1996 to 31 Dec 2007. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The chief source of NLDAS-1 forcing is NCEP's Eta model-based Data Assimilation System (EDAS) [Rogers et al., 1995], a continuously cycled North American 4DDA system. It utilizes 3-hourly analysis-forecast cycles to derive atmospheric states by assimilating many types of observations, including station observations of surface pressure and screen-level atmospheric temperature, humidity, and U and V wind components. EDAS 3-hourly fields of the latter five variables plus surface downward shortwave and longwave radiation and total and convective precipitation are provided on a 40-km grid, and then interpolated spatially to the NLDAS grid and temporally to one hour. Last, to account for NLDAS versus EDAS surface-elevation differences, a terrain-height adjustment is applied to the air temperature and surface pressure using a standard lapse rate (6.5 K/km), then to specific humidity (keeping original relative humidity) and downward longwave radiation (for new air temperature, specific humidity). The details of the spatial interpolation, temporal disaggregation, and vertical adjustment are presented by Cosgrove et al. (2003). GOES-based solar insolation (Pinker et al., 2003) provides the primary insolation forcing (shorwave down at the surface) for NLDAS-1. GOES insolation is not retrieved for zenith angles below 75 degrees and so is supplemented with EDAS insolation near the day/night terminator. Last from the GOES-based product suite, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and surface brightness temperature fields are included in the NLDAS-1 forcing files. NLDAS-1 precipitation forcing over CONUS is anchored to NCEP's 1/4th degree gauge-only daily precipitation analyses of Higgins et al. [2000]. In NLDAS-1, this daily analysis is interpolated to 1/8th degree, then temporally disaggregated to hourly values by applying hourly weights derived from hourly, 4-km, radar-based (WSR-88D) precipitation fields. The latter radar-based fields are used only to derive disaggregation weights and do not change the daily total precipitation. Last, convective precipitation is estimated by multiplying NLDAS-1 total precipitation by the ratio of EDAS convective to EDAS total precipitation. The Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) is the final variable in the forcing data set, also interpolated from EDAS. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FORA_hourly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). Mosaic was developed by Koster and Suarez (1994, 1996) to account for subgrid vegetation variability with a tile approach. Each vegetation tile carries its own energy and water balance and soil moisture and temperature. Each tile has three soil layers, with the first two in the root zone. In NLDAS, Mosaic is configured to support a maximum of 10 tiles per grid cell with a 5% cutoff that ignores vegetation classes covering less than 5% of the cell. Additionally in NLDAS, all tiles of Mosaic in a grid cell have a predominant soil type and three soil layers with fixed thickness values of 10, 30, and 160 cm (hence constant rooting depth of 40 cm and constant total column depth of 200 cm). The Mosaic LSM was forced by the hourly NLDAS-2 forcing "File A" files, and contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_H.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). Mosaic was developed by Koster and Suarez (1994, 1996) to account for subgrid vegetation variability with a tile approach. Each vegetation tile carries its own energy and water balance and soil moisture and temperature. Each tile has three soil layers, with the first two in the root zone. In NLDAS, Mosaic is configured to support a maximum of 10 tiles per grid cell with a 5% cutoff that ignores vegetation classes covering less than 5% of the cell. Additionally in NLDAS, all tiles of Mosaic in a grid cell have a predominant soil type and three soil layers with fixed thickness values of 10, 30, and 160 cm (hence constant rooting depth of 40 cm and constant total column depth of 200 cm). The Mosaic LSM was forced by the hourly NLDAS-2 forcing "File A" files, and contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_H.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the monthly climatology data of the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing. The temporal resolution is monthly, ranging from January to December. The NLDAS-1 monthly climatology data are the monthly data averaged over the eleven years (1997 - 2007) of the NLDAS-1 monthly data. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly and monthly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIFs for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the monthly climatology data of the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing. The temporal resolution is monthly, ranging from January to December. The NLDAS-1 monthly climatology data are the monthly data averaged over the eleven years (1997 - 2007) of the NLDAS-1 monthly data. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly and monthly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIFs for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 and http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_M_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains a series of land surface parameters simulated from the Mosaic land-surface model (LSM) for Phase 2 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-2). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Jan 1979 to the present. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. Details about the NLDAS-2 configuration of the Mosaic LSM can be found in Xia et al. (2012). Mosaic was developed by Koster and Suarez (1994, 1996) to account for subgrid vegetation variability with a tile approach. Each vegetation tile carries its own energy and water balance and soil moisture and temperature. Each tile has three soil layers, with the first two in the root zone. In NLDAS, Mosaic is configured to support a maximum of 10 tiles per grid cell with a 5% cutoff that ignores vegetation classes covering less than 5% of the cell. Additionally in NLDAS, all tiles of Mosaic in a grid cell have a predominant soil type and three soil layers with fixed thickness values of 10, 30, and 160 cm (hence constant rooting depth of 40 cm and constant total column depth of 200 cm). The Mosaic LSM was forced by the hourly NLDAS-2 forcing "File A" files, and contains thirty-seven fields. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_MOS.002.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For information about the vertical layers of the Soil Moisture Content (PDS 086) and Soil Temperature (PDS 085), please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS2.pdf or the GrADS ctl file at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/gds/NLDAS/NLDAS_MOS0125_H.002.ctl.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Aug. 1996 to Dec. 2007. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-1 monthly forcing data, containing 17 variables, are generated from the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIF for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. The variables, DLWRFsfc, DSWRFsfc, PRESsfc, SPFH2m, TMP2m, UGRD10m, and VGRD10m, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. The variables, BRTMPsfc and CAPEsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then do not include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, PARsfc and RGOESsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then reassign the variable as zero and include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, ACPCPsfc, APCPsfc, PEDASsfc, and PRDARsfc, are the monthly accumulation from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. However, the ACPCPsfc is actually the sum of the (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc)*APCPsfc from each hour, where the ratio of (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc) is the fraction of convective precipitation from EDAS, and then multiplied by the APCPsfc to get the convective precipitation. For PRDARsfc accumulation, if hourly PRDARsfc is undefined or negative, fill the hour with a zero value. The last variable, RSWRFsfc, is the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except represents the monthly average of the hourly "blend" of the DSWRFsfc from EDAS and RGOESsfc from GEOS. The blend algorithm is that, for each hour, the RGOESsfc from GEOS is used for all the grid points where it is available, but for where it is not available, the DSWRFsfc from EDAS is used. Because the spatial extent/availability of GEOS varies from hour to hour, this blend is done for hourly data first, and then the monthly average is applied to the hourly blended data. This last variable thus best represents the shortwave radiation flux downwards at the surface that is used in the NLDAS-1 LSMs. More about this blending/supplementation can be found from http://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/nldas/NLDAS1forcing.php. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Aug. 1996 to Dec. 2007. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-1 monthly forcing data, containing 17 variables, are generated from the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIF for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. The variables, DLWRFsfc, DSWRFsfc, PRESsfc, SPFH2m, TMP2m, UGRD10m, and VGRD10m, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. The variables, BRTMPsfc and CAPEsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then do not include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, PARsfc and RGOESsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then reassign the variable as zero and include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, ACPCPsfc, APCPsfc, PEDASsfc, and PRDARsfc, are the monthly accumulation from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. However, the ACPCPsfc is actually the sum of the (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc)*APCPsfc from each hour, where the ratio of (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc) is the fraction of convective precipitation from EDAS, and then multiplied by the APCPsfc to get the convective precipitation. For PRDARsfc accumulation, if hourly PRDARsfc is undefined or negative, fill the hour with a zero value. The last variable, RSWRFsfc, is the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except represents the monthly average of the hourly "blend" of the DSWRFsfc from EDAS and RGOESsfc from GEOS. The blend algorithm is that, for each hour, the RGOESsfc from GEOS is used for all the grid points where it is available, but for where it is not available, the DSWRFsfc from EDAS is used. Because the spatial extent/availability of GEOS varies from hour to hour, this blend is done for hourly data first, and then the monthly average is applied to the hourly blended data. This last variable thus best represents the shortwave radiation flux downwards at the surface that is used in the NLDAS-1 LSMs. More about this blending/supplementation can be found from http://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/nldas/NLDAS1forcing.php. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

The THIRN6IM data product consists of daily montages of brightness temperatures on 70 mm photofacsimile film strips from the Nimbus-6 Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer measured at 6.7 and 11.5 microns. Daytime and nighttime orbital swaths are displayed in strips, each corresponding to a distance approximately from pole to pole and a width from horizon to horizon. The ground resolution of 22.6 km for 6.7 microns and 8.2 km for 11.5 microns at nadir decreases as the horizontal distance from the subsatellite track increases. Each film strip is gridded with geographic coordinates and is identified by orbit number, time, and an indication of whether it is daytime (D) or nighttime (N). The images are saved as JPEG 2000 digital files. About 1 week of images are archived into a TAR file. Additional information can be found in section 2.4.1 of "The Nimbus 6 User's Guide." The Nimbus 6 Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) was designed to detect emitted thermal radiation in both the 10.5- to 12.5-micron region (IR window) and the 6.5- to 7.0-micron region (water vapor). The window channel measured cloudtop temperatures day and night. The other channel operated primarily at night to map the water vapor distribution in the upper troposphere and stratosphere. The THIR experiment made measurements from June 18, 1975 until May 6, 1976.These images can be used to supplement the radiance data files from the THIRN6L2CH67 and THIRN6L2CH115 data products.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Aug. 1996 to Dec. 2007. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-1 monthly forcing data, containing 17 variables, are generated from the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIF for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. The variables, DLWRFsfc, DSWRFsfc, PRESsfc, SPFH2m, TMP2m, UGRD10m, and VGRD10m, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. The variables, BRTMPsfc and CAPEsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then do not include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, PARsfc and RGOESsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then reassign the variable as zero and include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, ACPCPsfc, APCPsfc, PEDASsfc, and PRDARsfc, are the monthly accumulation from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. However, the ACPCPsfc is actually the sum of the (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc)*APCPsfc from each hour, where the ratio of (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc) is the fraction of convective precipitation from EDAS, and then multiplied by the APCPsfc to get the convective precipitation. For PRDARsfc accumulation, if hourly PRDARsfc is undefined or negative, fill the hour with a zero value. The last variable, RSWRFsfc, is the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except represents the monthly average of the hourly "blend" of the DSWRFsfc from EDAS and RGOESsfc from GEOS. The blend algorithm is that, for each hour, the RGOESsfc from GEOS is used for all the grid points where it is available, but for where it is not available, the DSWRFsfc from EDAS is used. Because the spatial extent/availability of GEOS varies from hour to hour, this blend is done for hourly data first, and then the monthly average is applied to the hourly blended data. This last variable thus best represents the shortwave radiation flux downwards at the surface that is used in the NLDAS-1 LSMs. More about this blending/supplementation can be found from http://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/nldas/NLDAS1forcing.php. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from Aug. 1996 to Dec. 2007. The temporal resolution is monthly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The NLDAS-1 monthly forcing data, containing 17 variables, are generated from the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data. Brief description about the NLDAS-1 hourly forcing data can be found from the GCMD DIF for GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001 at http://gcmd.gsfc.nasa.gov/getdif.htm?GES_DISC_NLDAS_FOR0125_H_V001. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FOR_monthly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. The variables, DLWRFsfc, DSWRFsfc, PRESsfc, SPFH2m, TMP2m, UGRD10m, and VGRD10m, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. The variables, BRTMPsfc and CAPEsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then do not include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, PARsfc and RGOESsfc, are the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except if any hour has an undefined value of -9999, then reassign the variable as zero and include the hour in the monthly average. The variables, ACPCPsfc, APCPsfc, PEDASsfc, and PRDARsfc, are the monthly accumulation from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth. However, the ACPCPsfc is actually the sum of the (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc)*APCPsfc from each hour, where the ratio of (ACPCPsfc/PEDASsfc) is the fraction of convective precipitation from EDAS, and then multiplied by the APCPsfc to get the convective precipitation. For PRDARsfc accumulation, if hourly PRDARsfc is undefined or negative, fill the hour with a zero value. The last variable, RSWRFsfc, is the monthly average from 00Z01 of month to 23:59Zlastdayofmonth, except represents the monthly average of the hourly "blend" of the DSWRFsfc from EDAS and RGOESsfc from GEOS. The blend algorithm is that, for each hour, the RGOESsfc from GEOS is used for all the grid points where it is available, but for where it is not available, the DSWRFsfc from EDAS is used. Because the spatial extent/availability of GEOS varies from hour to hour, this blend is done for hourly data first, and then the monthly average is applied to the hourly blended data. This last variable thus best represents the shortwave radiation flux downwards at the surface that is used in the NLDAS-1 LSMs. More about this blending/supplementation can be found from http://ldas.gsfc.nasa.gov/nldas/NLDAS1forcing.php. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from 29 Sep 1996 to 31 Dec 2007. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The chief source of NLDAS-1 forcing is NCEP's Eta model-based Data Assimilation System (EDAS) [Rogers et al., 1995], a continuously cycled North American 4DDA system. It utilizes 3-hourly analysis-forecast cycles to derive atmospheric states by assimilating many types of observations, including station observations of surface pressure and screen-level atmospheric temperature, humidity, and U and V wind components. EDAS 3-hourly fields of the latter five variables plus surface downward shortwave and longwave radiation and total and convective precipitation are provided on a 40-km grid, and then interpolated spatially to the NLDAS grid and temporally to one hour. Last, to account for NLDAS versus EDAS surface-elevation differences, a terrain-height adjustment is applied to the air temperature and surface pressure using a standard lapse rate (6.5 K/km), then to specific humidity (keeping original relative humidity) and downward longwave radiation (for new air temperature, specific humidity). The details of the spatial interpolation, temporal disaggregation, and vertical adjustment are presented by Cosgrove et al. (2003). GOES-based solar insolation (Pinker et al., 2003) provides the primary insolation forcing (shorwave down at the surface) for NLDAS-1. GOES insolation is not retrieved for zenith angles below 75 degrees and so is supplemented with EDAS insolation near the day/night terminator. Last from the GOES-based product suite, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and surface brightness temperature fields are included in the NLDAS-1 forcing files. NLDAS-1 precipitation forcing over CONUS is anchored to NCEP's 1/4th degree gauge-only daily precipitation analyses of Higgins et al. [2000]. In NLDAS-1, this daily analysis is interpolated to 1/8th degree, then temporally disaggregated to hourly values by applying hourly weights derived from hourly, 4-km, radar-based (WSR-88D) precipitation fields. The latter radar-based fields are used only to derive disaggregation weights and do not change the daily total precipitation. Last, convective precipitation is estimated by multiplying NLDAS-1 total precipitation by the ratio of EDAS convective to EDAS total precipitation. The Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) is the final variable in the forcing data set, also interpolated from EDAS. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FORA_hourly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

The Nimbus-6 Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) Level 1 Brightness Temperature at 11.5 microns data product contains radiances expressed in units of equivalent brightness temperature measured in the 10.5 - 12.5 (11.5) micron channel. The data, originally written on IBM 360 machines, were recovered from magnetic tapes, also referred to as Nimbus Meteorological Radiation Tapes (NMRT-THIR). The data are archived in their original IBM 36-bit word proprietary format, also referred to as a binary TAP file. The Nimbus-6 satellite was successfully launched on June 18, 1975. The Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) experiment on Nimbus-6 continues the measurements made by its predecessors flown on Nimbus-4 and Nimbus-5. The THIR instrument is a two channel high resolution scanning radiometer designed to perform two major functions: o 10.5 – 12.5 micron channel provides both day and night cloud top or surface temperatures. The ground resolution at the sub-point is 8 km and operates day and night. o 6.7 micron channel gives information on the moisture content of the upper troposphere and stratosphere and the location of jet streams and frontal systems. The water vapor channel has a resolution of the sub-point is 22 km and operates mostly at night. The THIR Principal Investigator was Andrew W. McCulloch from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Nimbus-6 THIR data are available from June 18, 1965 (day of year 169) through August 11, 1977 (day of year 233). (These data were previously archived at NASA NSSDC under the entry ID ESAD-00125.)

Summary

Description

This data set contains the forcing data for Phase 1 of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS-1). The data are in 1/8th degree grid spacing and range from 29 Sep 1996 to 31 Dec 2007. The temporal resolution is hourly. The file format is WMO GRIB-1. The chief source of NLDAS-1 forcing is NCEP's Eta model-based Data Assimilation System (EDAS) [Rogers et al., 1995], a continuously cycled North American 4DDA system. It utilizes 3-hourly analysis-forecast cycles to derive atmospheric states by assimilating many types of observations, including station observations of surface pressure and screen-level atmospheric temperature, humidity, and U and V wind components. EDAS 3-hourly fields of the latter five variables plus surface downward shortwave and longwave radiation and total and convective precipitation are provided on a 40-km grid, and then interpolated spatially to the NLDAS grid and temporally to one hour. Last, to account for NLDAS versus EDAS surface-elevation differences, a terrain-height adjustment is applied to the air temperature and surface pressure using a standard lapse rate (6.5 K/km), then to specific humidity (keeping original relative humidity) and downward longwave radiation (for new air temperature, specific humidity). The details of the spatial interpolation, temporal disaggregation, and vertical adjustment are presented by Cosgrove et al. (2003). GOES-based solar insolation (Pinker et al., 2003) provides the primary insolation forcing (shorwave down at the surface) for NLDAS-1. GOES insolation is not retrieved for zenith angles below 75 degrees and so is supplemented with EDAS insolation near the day/night terminator. Last from the GOES-based product suite, Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) and surface brightness temperature fields are included in the NLDAS-1 forcing files. NLDAS-1 precipitation forcing over CONUS is anchored to NCEP's 1/4th degree gauge-only daily precipitation analyses of Higgins et al. [2000]. In NLDAS-1, this daily analysis is interpolated to 1/8th degree, then temporally disaggregated to hourly values by applying hourly weights derived from hourly, 4-km, radar-based (WSR-88D) precipitation fields. The latter radar-based fields are used only to derive disaggregation weights and do not change the daily total precipitation. Last, convective precipitation is estimated by multiplying NLDAS-1 total precipitation by the ratio of EDAS convective to EDAS total precipitation. The Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE) is the final variable in the forcing data set, also interpolated from EDAS. The data set applies a user-defined parameter table to indicate the contents and parameter number. The GRIBTAB file (http://disc.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/hydrology/grib_tabs/gribtab_NLDAS_FORA_hourly.001.txt) shows a list of parameters for this data set, along with their Product Definition Section (PDS) IDs and units. For more information, please see the README Document at ftp://hydro1.sci.gsfc.nasa.gov/data/s4pa/NLDAS/README.NLDAS1.pdf.

Summary

Description

The Nimbus-6 Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) Level 1 Brightness Temperature at 6.7 microns data product contains radiances expressed in units of equivalent brightness temperature measured in the 6.7 micron channel. The data, originally written on IBM 360 machines, were recovered from magnetic tapes, also referred to as Nimbus Meteorological Radiation Tapes (NMRT-THIR). The data are archived in their original IBM 36-bit word proprietary format, also referred to as a binary TAP file. The Nimbus-6 satellite was successfully launched on June 18, 1975. The Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) experiment on Nimbus-6 continues the measurements made by its predecessors flown on Nimbus-4 and Nimbus-5. The THIR instrument is a two channel high resolution scanning radiometer designed to perform two major functions: o 10.5 – 12.5 micron channel provides both day and night cloud top or surface temperatures. The ground resolution at the sub-point is 8 km and operates day and night. o 6.7 micron channel gives information on the moisture content of the upper troposphere and stratosphere and the location of jet streams and frontal systems. The water vapor channel has a resolution of the sub-point is 22 km and operates mostly at night. The THIR Principal Investigator was Andrew W. McCulloch from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The Nimbus-6 THIR data are available from June 18, 1965 (day of year 169) through August 11, 1977 (day of year 233).

Summary

Description

The Nimbus-7/THIR Level 1 Calibrated Located Radiation Data (CLDT) at 6.7 and 11.5 microns data product contains radiances expressed in units of W/m2/sr measured in the 10.5 - 12.5 (11.5) micron and 6.5 - 7.0 (6.7) micron channels. The data, originally written on IBM 360 machines, were recovered from magnetic 9-track tapes. The data are archived in their original proprietary format. The Nimbus-7 satellite was successfully launched on October 28, 1978. The Temperature-Humidity Infrared Radiometer (THIR) experiment on Nimbus-7 is basically identical to its predecessors flown on Nimbus-4, -5 and -6, except that the data were digitized on board. The THIR instrument is a two channel high resolution scanning radiometer designed to perform two major functions: * 11.5 micron channel provides both day and night cloud top or surface temperatures. The ground resolution at the sub-point is 6.7 km and operates day and night. * 6.7 micron channel gives information on the moisture content of the upper troposphere and stratosphere and the location of jet streams and frontal systems. The water vapor channel has a resolution of the sub-point is 20 km and operates mostly at night. The THIR Principal Investigator was Dr. Larry L. Stowe from NOAA NESDIS. The Nimbus-7 THIR data are available from October 30, 1979 (day of year 303) through May 13, 1985 (day of year 133). These data were previously archived at NASA NSSDC under the entry ID ESAD-00107 (old id: 78-098A-10C).