NASA has surface temperature datasets that help researchers characterize how warm air is over land and water. Access a range of data and data tools such as AppEEARS, HEG: HDF-EOS to GeoTIFF Conversion Tool, and GOES-5 Weather Maps to make the most of surface temperature data.
Surface Temperature Data Access and Tools
Surface Temperature Datasets
| Dataset Sort descending | Version | Platform | Instrument | Temporal Extent | Spatial Extent | Spatial Resolution | Data Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MERRA-2 tavgU_3d_tdt_Np: 3d,diurnal,Time-Averaged,Pressure-Level,Assimilation,Temperature Tendencies 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TUNPTDT) | 5.12.4 | MERRA-2 | NOT APPLICABLE | 1980-01-01 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
0.625 Decimal Degrees x 0.5 Decimal Degrees | |
| Meteorology (OTTER) | 1 | METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS | BAROMETERS, RAIN GAUGES, THERMOMETERS, PYRANOMETERS | 1989-05-27 to 1991-01-07 |
N: 45.06 S: 44.38 E: -121.68 W: -123.94 |
ASCII | |
| 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-B ASCAT ESDR Level 2 Ancillary Ocean Surface Fields Version 1.1 | 1.1 | Models, METOP-B | Computer, 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 |
| MISR Level 1B2 Ellipsoid Data V003 | 003 | Terra | MISR | 1999-12-18 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS2 | |
| MISR Level 1B2 Ellipsoid Data V004 | 004 | Terra | MISR | 1999-12-18 to Present | netCDF-4 | ||
| MMR Ground Data (FIFE) | 1 | FIELD INVESTIGATION | MMR | 1987-06-03 to 1989-08-11 |
N: 39.12 S: 38.98 E: -96.47 W: -96.58 |
multiple | |
| MODIS/Aqua Temp and Water Vapor Profile 5-Min L2 Swath Subset 5km subset along MLS V002 (MAM07S0) | 002 | Aqua | MODIS | 2004-08-08 to 2008-01-11 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
5 Kilometers x 5 Kilometers | |
| MODIS/Aqua Temp and Water Vapor Profiles 5km 5-Min L2 Narrow Swath Subset along CloudSat V002 (MAC07S0) | 002 | Aqua | MODIS | 2006-06-02 to 2018-03-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
5 Kilometers x 5 Kilometers | |
| MODIS/Aqua Temp and Water Vapor Profiles 5km 5-Min L2 Wide Swath Subset along CloudSat V002 (MAC07S1) | 002 | Aqua | MODIS | 2006-06-02 to 2018-03-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
5 Kilometers x 5 Kilometers | |
| MODIS/Aqua Temperature and Water Vapor Profiles 5-Min L2 Swath 5km | 6.1 | Aqua | MODIS | 2002-07-04 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS | |
| MODIS/Aqua Temperature and Water Vapor Profiles 5-Min L2 Swath 5km - NRT | 6.1NRT | Aqua | MODIS | 2017-10-20 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
5 Kilometers x 5 Kilometers | HDF-EOS |
| MODIS/Terra Temperature and Water Vapor Profiles 5-Min L2 Swath 5km | 6.1 | Terra | MODIS | 2000-02-24 to Present |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS | |
| MODIS/Terra Temperature and Water Vapor Profiles 5-Min L2 Swath 5km - NRT | 6.1NRT | Terra | MODIS | 2017-10-11 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
5 Kilometers x 5 Kilometers | HDF-EOS |
| Monthly Climate Data for Selected USGS HCDN Sites, 1951-1990, R1 | 1 | STREAMFLOW STATION | STREAM GAUGES | 1951-01-01 to 1990-12-31 |
N: 49.39 S: 24.16 E: -66.74 W: -125.15 |
Shapefile | |
| MOPITT CO gridded daily means (Near and Thermal Infrared Radiances) V009 | 9 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS5 | |
| MOPITT CO gridded daily means (Near and Thermal Infrared Radiances) V010 | 10 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
2 Decimal Degrees x 2.5 Decimal Degrees | HDF-EOS5 |
| MOPITT CO gridded daily means (Near Infrared Radiances) V009 | 9 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS5 | |
| MOPITT CO gridded daily means (Near Infrared Radiances) V010 | 10 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
2 Decimal Degrees x 2.5 Decimal Degrees | HDF-EOS5 |
| MOPITT CO gridded daily means (Thermal Infrared Radiances) V009 | 9 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS5 | |
| MOPITT CO gridded daily means (Thermal Infrared Radiances) V010 | 10 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
2 Decimal Degrees x 2.5 Decimal Degrees | HDF-EOS5 |
| MOPITT CO gridded monthly means (Near and Thermal Infrared Radiances) V009 | 9 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS5 | |
| MOPITT CO gridded monthly means (Near and Thermal Infrared Radiances) V010 | 10 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
2 Decimal Degrees x 2.5 Decimal Degrees | HDF-EOS5 |
| MOPITT CO gridded monthly means (Near Infrared Radiances) V009 | 9 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
HDF-EOS5 | |
| MOPITT CO gridded monthly means (Near Infrared Radiances) V010 | 10 | Terra | MOPITT | 2000-03-03 to 2025-02-01 |
N: 90 S: -90 E: 180 W: -180 |
2 Decimal Degrees x 2.5 Decimal Degrees | HDF-EOS5 |
Featured Surface Temperature Observation Method: AIRS
The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) aboard the Aqua satellite is a hyperspectral instrument that makes daily global measurements of infrared energy reflected by Earth's surface and atmosphere. The data is used to create three-dimensional water vapor and temperature profiles throughout the atmosphere. Meteorologists and other scientists use the data to make weather forecasts and as part of the historical global temperature record.
Frequently Asked Questions
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