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K.S. Casey et al.
5.2. Each browse graphic is then visually inspected and problematic
data are sent back to the University of Miami for correction and
reprocessing.
5.3. After passing the visual inspection, an in-situ comparison against the
HadSST2 data set (Rayner et al., 2006) is conducted. Again, any
errors detected are investigated and, if the data are subjectively confirmed to be bad, they are returned to the University of Miami for
correction and reprocessing.
5.4. After passing the visual inspection and in-situ comparisons, the
Pathfinder data are formally archived by NODC.
5.5. The result of these steps is the Pathfinder Version 5 SST product. The
data are distributed by NODC 3 and made available to the PO.DAAC
for redistribution
Pathfinder Version 5 data were first released by NODC to the public in April
of 2003. By December of 2003, data for 1985–2001 were available. Over the
next several years, additional data were added incrementally. In April of 2009,
Pathfinder data for 1981–1984 were made available for first time in the Pathfinder
SST Program history. In prior versions, the lack of adequate in-situ matchups and
suitable first-guess SST field made production of those early data from the NOAA-7
platform impossible. However, these limitations were overcome through the use of
not just drifting buoys in the matchup database, but also by including bias-corrected
ship observations. In addition, working iteratively, the DOISST, which itself uses
Pathfinder SST data, was extended to include 1981–1984. The DOISST then served
as the first guess and reference SST field for this period. By 2010, Pathfinder Version
5 data were available for 1981–2009.
16.5 Future Directions in Pathfinder SST: Version 6
Despite the improvements implemented over the years, problems still remain in
Pathfinder Version 5. These errors are being corrected, and implemented in a new,
Version 6 of Pathfinder. Version 6 will improve upon Version 5 in several notable
ways. First, known errors in the land mask will be corrected, and Version 6 will
utilize the DOISST throughout the record. Use of the finer resolution DOISST is
resulting in improved ability of the quality procedures to properly identify cloudy
pixels and to retain good pixels in the vicinity of coasts and strong gradient regions.
Sea ice information will also be used to a greater extent in Version 6, and will be
provided as part of the data set. Many spatial and seasonally varying biases evident in the Pathfinder Version 5 comparisons with HadSST2 will also be minimized
through the use of new coefficients generated using a latitudinal band scheme.
3 http://pathfinder.nodc.noaa.gov
K.S. Casey et al.
5.2. Each browse graphic is then visually inspected and problematic
data are sent back to the University of Miami for correction and
reprocessing.
5.3. After passing the visual inspection, an in-situ comparison against the
HadSST2 data set (Rayner et al., 2006) is conducted. Again, any
errors detected are investigated and, if the data are subjectively confirmed to be bad, they are returned to the University of Miami for
correction and reprocessing.
5.4. After passing the visual inspection and in-situ comparisons, the
Pathfinder data are formally archived by NODC.
5.5. The result of these steps is the Pathfinder Version 5 SST product. The
data are distributed by NODC 3 and made available to the PO.DAAC
for redistribution
Pathfinder Version 5 data were first released by NODC to the public in April
of 2003. By December of 2003, data for 1985–2001 were available. Over the
next several years, additional data were added incrementally. In April of 2009,
Pathfinder data for 1981–1984 were made available for first time in the Pathfinder
SST Program history. In prior versions, the lack of adequate in-situ matchups and
suitable first-guess SST field made production of those early data from the NOAA-7
platform impossible. However, these limitations were overcome through the use of
not just drifting buoys in the matchup database, but also by including bias-corrected
ship observations. In addition, working iteratively, the DOISST, which itself uses
Pathfinder SST data, was extended to include 1981–1984. The DOISST then served
as the first guess and reference SST field for this period. By 2010, Pathfinder Version
5 data were available for 1981–2009.
16.5 Future Directions in Pathfinder SST: Version 6
Despite the improvements implemented over the years, problems still remain in
Pathfinder Version 5. These errors are being corrected, and implemented in a new,
Version 6 of Pathfinder. Version 6 will improve upon Version 5 in several notable
ways. First, known errors in the land mask will be corrected, and Version 6 will
utilize the DOISST throughout the record. Use of the finer resolution DOISST is
resulting in improved ability of the quality procedures to properly identify cloudy
pixels and to retain good pixels in the vicinity of coasts and strong gradient regions.
Sea ice information will also be used to a greater extent in Version 6, and will be
provided as part of the data set. Many spatial and seasonally varying biases evident in the Pathfinder Version 5 comparisons with HadSST2 will also be minimized
through the use of new coefficients generated using a latitudinal band scheme.
3 http://pathfinder.nodc.noaa.gov