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External Data Spec

NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST), Version 5

External Data Spec Published 05 Nov 2019
1 min read
The NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) dataset is a global monthly sea surface temperature dataset derived from the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Dataset (ICOADS). It is produced on a 2 x 2 degree grid with spatial completeness enhanced using statistical methods. This monthly analysis begins in January 1854 continuing to the present and includes anomalies computed with respect to a 1971-2000 monthly climatology. Version 5 (v5) is the newest version of ERSST. Major revisions for v5 include: 1) using unadjusted first-guess instead of adjusted first-guess in QC, 2) using latest International Comprehensive Ocean Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) Release 3.0 (R3.0) over 1854-2015 instead of R2.5 over 1854-2007, 3) using Argo temperature above 5 meter depth that has not been used in previous version ERSST and other SST analysis, 4) using latest UK Met Office HadISST2 ice concentration over 1870-2015 instead of HadISST1 ice concentration over 1870-2010, 5) removing damping in high latitudes north of 60 degrees North and south of 50 degrees South in Empirical Orthogonal Teleconnection (EOT) Functions, 6) adding 10 more EOT modes in the Arctic, 7) reducing spatial filtering in training EOTs, and 8) revising ship SST bias correction relative to nighttime marine air temperature (NMAT) to the one relative to buoy SST observations. Other features remain same as in the previous ERSST version 4. The data are written to monthly netCDF files following CF Metadata Conventions.
information.png Provider:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
information.png Dataset URL:
https://data.nodc.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/iso?id=gov.noaa.ncdc:C00927
information.png Other comments:

Citation:

Boyin Huang, Peter W. Thorne, Viva F. Banzon, Tim Boyer, Gennady Chepurin, Jay H. Lawrimore, Matthew J. Menne, Thomas M. Smith, Russell S. Vose, and Huai-Min Zhang (2017): NOAA Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST), Version 5. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5T72FNM [2019/04/03]

Related content

Produced figures

Figure Left graph: Decline in ocean pH measured at the Aloha station (University of Hawaii) and yearly mean surface seawater pH reported on a global scale (Copernicus Marine Service); Right graph: Decadal average sea surface temperature anomaly in different Euro Left graph: A decline in pH corresponds to an increase in the acidity of ocean water. Data originate from the Aloha station pH time series (adapted from Dore, J.E., et al., 2009, 'Physical and biogeochemical modulation of ocean acidification in the central North Pacific', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 106:12235-12240). Changes here are similar to those that are observed over a shorter time frame in Europe (see here: http://www.climatechange2013.org/images/figures/WGI_AR5_Fig3-18.jpg). In figure, "In situ measurement (Aloha station)" corresponds to data based on in-situ measurements, while "Calculated (Aloha station)" corresponds to calculated data. Global annual average of surface ocean pH from the Copernicus Marine Service, based on a reconstruction method using in situ data and remote sensing data, as well as empirical relationships. Indicator is available at annual resolution, and from the year 1985 onwards. The error on each yearly value varies, and is added to the data file sheet. The estimated yearly uncertainty envelope shown in the figure is defined as the annual mean of pH ± 2 standard deviations, which corresponds to a 95% confidence interval of the mean estimate. Right graph: Time series (1870-2022) of decadal average observed sea surface temperature anomalies (°C), with respect to the period 1991-2020, for each of the European basins, for the European seas as a whole, and for the global ocean. Data sources: HadSST4.0.1.0 (1850-2022), ERSSTTv5 (1880-2022), HadISST1 (1870-2022) and satellite-based ESA CCI/C3S SST Climate Data Record v2.1 (1991-2022).
Figure Decadal average sea surface temperature anomaly in different European seas Time series (1870-2022) of decadal average observed sea surface temperature anomalies (°C), with respect to the period 1991-2020, for each of the European basins, for the European seas as a whole, and for the global ocean. Data sources: HadSST4.0.1.0 (1850-2022), ERSSTTv5 (1880-2022), HadISST1 (1870-2022) and satellite-based ESA CCI/C3S SST Climate Data Record v2.1 (1991-2022).
Figure
Archived
Decadal average sea surface temperature anomaly in different European seas Time series (1870-2021) of decadal average observed sea surface temperature anomalies (°C), with respect to the period 1991-2020, for each of the European basins, for the European seas as a whole, and for the global ocean. Data sources: HadSST4.0.1.0 (1850-2021), ERSSTTv5 (1880-2021), HadISST1 (1870-2021) and satellite-based ESA CCI/C3S SST Climate Data Record v2.1 (1991-2021).
Figure
Archived
Decadal average sea surface temperature anomaly in different European seas (1870 to 2020) Time series of sea surface temperature anomalies (°C), referenced to the average temperature between 1981 and 2010, in each of the European seas and in the Global Ocean. Data sources: SST datasets from the Met Office (HadISST1, HadSST.4.0.0.0 and OSTIA), the US National Ocean and Atmosphere Administration (ERSSTv5), ESA SST CCI analysis version 2.1.
Figure
Archived
Decadal average sea surface temperature anomaly in different European seas (1870 to 2018) The figure shows global and regionally averaged sea surface temperatures anomalies relative to a 1981-2010 baseline. The solid lines show satellite-based series, combining SST CCI (Sea Surface Temperature Climate Change Initiative) Analysis data (to 2016) with the OSTIA (Operational Sea Surface Temperature and Sea Ice Analysis) near real-time updated data (to 2018). The shaded area in each plot indicates the upper and lower uncertainty range of the long-term evolution of the regional averages based on three global data sets (HadSST.4.0.0.0, ERSSTv5 and HadISST).
Figure
Archived
Decadal average sea surface temperature anomaly in different European seas The figure shows decadal global and regionally averaged sea-surface temperature anomalies relative to a 1981-2010 baseline. The solid line shows a satellite-based series combining the SST CCI analysis (to 2016) with the OSTIA near-real time updates (to 2018). The shaded area in each plot indicates the upper and lower uncertainty range of the long-term evolution of the regional averages based on three global data sets (HadSST.4.0.0.0, ERSSTv5 and HadISST).

Used in indicators

Indicator Specification European sea surface temperature This indicator monitors trends in average SST anomalies in Europe’s regional seas and in the global ocean. Care must be taken when comparing the results reported here with previous versions of the indicator, as differences can arise from the choice of underlying data sets. SST is an important physical characteristic of the oceans. It varies naturally with latitude, being warmest at the equator and coldest in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. As the oceans absorb more heat, SST will increase (and heat will be redistributed to deeper water layers). Increases in the mean SST are also accompanied by increases in the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves (that is, when the daily SST exceeds a locally and seasonally defined threshold). Increases in SST can lead to an increase in atmospheric water vapour over the oceans, influencing entire weather systems. The North Atlantic Ocean plays a key role in the regulation of climate over the European continent by transporting heat northwards and redistributing energy from the atmosphere to the deep parts of the ocean. The Gulf Stream and its extensions, the North Atlantic Current and Drift, partly determine weather patterns over the European continent, including precipitation and wind regimes. One of the most visible physical ramifications of increased temperature in the oceans is a reduction in the area of sea ice coverage in the Arctic polar region. Temperature is a determining factor for the metabolism of species, and thus for their distribution and phenology, such as the timing of seasonal migrations, spawning events and peak abundances (e.g. plankton bloom events). There is an accumulating body of evidence suggesting that many marine species and habitats, such as cetaceans in the North Atlantic Ocean, are highly sensitive to changes in SST. Increased temperature may also increase stratification of the water column. Such changes can significantly reduce vertical nutrient fluxes in the water column, thereby negatively influencing primary production and phytoplankton community structure. Further changes in SST could have widespread effects on marine species and cause the reconfiguration of marine ecosystems (Gilbert et al., 2014; Baker-Austin et al., 2016; Collins et al., 2019).
Indicator Specification
Archived
Sea surface temperature This indicator monitors trends in average SST anomalies in Europe’s regional seas and in the global ocean.

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For references, please go to https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/external/noaa-extended-reconstructed-sea-surface or scan the QR code.

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