NOAA Coral Reef Watch Experimental Twice-Weekly Near-Real-Time Global 50-km Satellite Nighttime Sea Surface Temperature 21-Day Short-Term Trend Product

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title:
NOAA Coral Reef Watch Experimental Twice-Weekly Near-Real-Time Global 50-km Satellite Nighttime Sea Surface Temperature 21-Day Short-Term Trend Product
Abstract:
The NOAA Coral Reef Watch (CRW) Satellite Nighttime Sea Surface Temperature (SST) 21-Day Short-Term Trend product is part of the CRW near-real-time global 50-km satellite coral bleaching thermal stress monitoring product suite. This product suite was initially implemented in 2000 and continues to provide updated monitoring information twice-weekly. The SST Short-Term Trend product was launched on October 1, 2009; data are available from October 2008 to the present. This metadata file provides information on the SST Short-Term Trend product for both the most recent near-real-time updates and the archived product dating back to 2008. While SST monitoring measures the SST condition at any given moment in time, short-term SST trends over the past few weeks provide another layer of environmental information indicating the pace and direction of the variation of SST and coral bleaching thermal stress. This product helps one quickly pinpoint the regions where coral bleaching thermal stress has increased, sustained, or decreased, and estimate the rate of change in the thermal stress. This particular SST Short-Term Trend product provides the short-term trend of CRW operational satellite global 50-km nighttime twice-weekly SSTs over the past 21 days. Six twice-weekly global SSTs are included in the calculation. These products are at 50-km resolution and are produced in near-real-time from CRW's operational near-real-time twice-weekly 50-km nighttime SST data. As with CRW's other twice-weekly near-real-time products, the SST Short-Term Trend is produced every Monday (using Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) data from the previous Thursday through Sunday) and Thursday (using AVHRR data from the previous Monday through Wednesday). Near-real-time satellite data from the AVHRR on some of NOAA's Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES) were used to generate the AVHRR-SST that this CRW product suite is based on. This product is available only in static image format at this moment, posted on CRW's web site. Additional information on the SST used for this product is provided in each SST HDF data file, accessible at <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/hdf/index.html>. The SST Short-Term Trend product, its detailed description, and available data formats and delivery mechanisms are accessible at <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite>, along with general CRW product information and access to other CRW products.
Supplemental_Information:
The entire suite of products mentioned in this metadata file is accessible at: <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite>
  1. How should this data set be cited?

    NOAA Coral Reef Watch program, 20091001, NOAA Coral Reef Watch Experimental Twice-Weekly Near-Real-Time Global 50-km Satellite Nighttime Sea Surface Temperature 21-Day Short-Term Trend Product: NOAA Coral Reef Watch program, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?

    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -180.0
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: 180.0
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 45.0
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: -45.0

  3. What does it look like?

    <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/ssttrends/current/current_ssttrend21days_45NS.gif> (GIF)
    This is the most recent image of the NOAA Coral Reef Watch Experimental Twice-Weekly Near-Real-Time Global 50-km Satellite Nighttime Sea Surface Temperature 21-Day Short-Term Trend Product

  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?

    Beginning_Date: 29-Sep-2008
    Ending_Date: Present
    Currentness_Reference: Ground Condition

  5. What is the general form of this data set?

    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: Remote sensing image, webpage

  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?

    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?

      This is a Raster data set. It contains the following raster data types:

      • Dimensions 331 x 720, type Grid Cell

    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?

      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.5. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.5. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal Degrees.

  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?

    Grid Intersection
    There are 720 grid intersections in each row (at a pre-defined latitude) and 331 grid intersections in each column (at a pre-defined longitude). Each grid is 0.5 degree latitude by 0.5 degree longitude in size, centered at latitudes of from 80.0S northward to 85.0N and at longitudes of from 180W eastward to 179.5E. (Source: <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/methodology/methodology.html>)

    SST trend image files in GIF format
    These are the image display of original SST trend data. (Source: <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/ssttrends/index.html>)

    Range of values
    Minimum:0
    Maximum:255
    Units:Index color values

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)

  2. Who also contributed to the data set?

  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?

    NOAA Coral Reef Watch program
    Attn: NOAA Coral Reef Watch Coordinator
    NOAA, E/RA31, SSMC1, Room 5308, 1335 East-West Highway
    Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3226
    USA

    301-713-2857 ext 109 (voice)
    301-713-3136 (FAX)
    coralreefwatch@noaa.gov

Why was the data set created?

The NOAA Coral Reef Watch program seeks to fully utilize space-based sea surface temperature (SST) observations, combined with in-situ data, to continually monitor for early indications of thermally-induced coral reef bleaching worldwide. A suite of monitoring and prediction products, including the product described in these metadata, has been developed by CRW as a decision support system to provide critical and timely coral reef environment information to the U.S. and international coral reef communities.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?

    NOAA CRW Near-Real-Time Global Satellite Sea Surface Temperatures (source 1 of 1)
    NOAA/NESDIS Coral Reef Watch, 19970101, NOAA CRW Operational Twice-Weekly Near-Real-Time Global 50-km Satellite Nighttime Sea Surface Temperatures: NOAA Coral Reef Watch program, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

    Type_of_Source_Media: data file
    Source_Contribution:
    The SST Short-Term Trend product was derived from this SST product.

  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?

    Date: Not Complete (process 1 of 1)
    Each SST Short-Term Trend is derived from six consecutive NOAA CRW near-real-time twice-weekly SST data values. See CRW web site at <http://coralreefwatch.noaa.gov/satellite/ssttrends/index.html>, and suggested references listed above, for details.

    Person who carried out this activity:

    NOAA Coral Reef Watch program
    Attn: NOAA Coral Reef Watch Coordinator
    NOAA, E/RA31, SSMC1, Room 5308, 1335 East-West Highway
    Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3226
    USA

    301-713-2857 ext 109 (voice)
    301-713-3136 (FAX)
    coralreefwatch@noaa.gov

    Data sources used in this process:
    • NOAA CRW Operational Near-Real-Time Global Satellite Sea Surface Temperature Product

  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?

    The accuracy of the SST Short-Term Trend product depends on the accuracy of satellite SSTs. Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite (POES) AVHRR-SST values used for creating CRW 50-km SST analysis fields were accurate to within 0.5 degree Celsius and adjusted by in-situ buoy observations to best-approximate SST at the depth of one meter. However, when producing a complete, gap-filled SST analysis with global coverage, estimation of SST at the pixels covered by cloud may occasionally reduce the accuracy of SST at these pixels.

  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?

    Users are referred to the following guide on AVHRR-derived sea surface temperature: Goodrum, G., K.B. Kidwell, and W. Winston, 2000, NOAA KLM USER'S GUIDE. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center, Climate Services Division, Satellite Services Branch, FOB3, Room G227, E/CC33, 5200 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746-4304, USA. This manual is available on line at: <http://www2.ncdc.noaa.gov/docs/klm/cover.htm>. To request additional information, contact: Telephone: (828) 271-4850, Telefax: (828) 271-4876, Email: satorder@ncdc.noaa.gov.

  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?

    none

  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?

    There is no spatial data gap existing in this data set. As an experimental product, this product undergoes continual development and refinement to determine the algorithm's best configuration. Any change in the algorithm or product presentation may incur reprocessing of the entire data set. Should this occur, an announcement will be posted on the CRW web site, and the metadata will be revised to reflect changes that take place. New near-real-time SST Trend products will be continuously added into this data collection at scheduled routine data update times.

  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?

    none

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?

Access_Constraints: none
Use_Constraints:
Not intended for legal use. Data may contain inaccuracies due to cloud cover and/or other reasons.

  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)

    NOAA Coral Reef Watch program
    Attn: NOAA Coral Reef Watch Coordinator
    NOAA, E/RA31, SSMC1, Room 5308, 1335 East-West Highway
    Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3226
    USA

    301-713-2857 ext 109 (voice)
    301-713-3136 (FAX)
    coralreefwatch@noaa.gov

  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set?

    Downloadable Data

  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?

    NOAA makes no warranty regarding these data, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data, nor as a result of the failure of these data to function on a particular system.

  4. How can I download or order the data?

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 20-Dec-2012
Last Reviewed: 19-Oct-2011
Metadata author:
NOAA Coral Reef Watch program
Attn: NOAA Coral Reef Watch Coordinator
NOAA, E/RA31, SSMC1, Room 5308, 1335 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910-3226
USA

301-713-2857 ext 109 (voice)
301-713-3136 (FAX)
coralreefwatch@noaa.gov

Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)

Generated by mp version 2.9.13 on Sun May 19 06:49:34 2013