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Climate Data Records

 

Finding and understanding our climate data records

a-spot-climate-records
a-spot-climate-records

How to get the data and what is a climate data record

Last Updated

28 March 2023

Published on

14 May 2020

How to get data?

EUMETSAT’s Secretariat and Satellite Application Facilities (SAFs) use applicable data from current and heritage satellites to generate climate data records. The development of these data records continues through our satellite programs, SAF projects, as well as Copernicus or European Union funded projects.

The Product Navigator provides a catalogue of all climate data records produced by the Secretariat and the SAFs as a single point of access. It provides access to climate data records of sensor radiances and geophysical variables. Access to these data records is open and free of charge.

Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI

Bending Angles (L1b)

GRAS on Metop-A

2006-2017

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0015

Bending Angles (L1b)

GRAS on Metop-A and -B

2006-2018

FCDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0029

Bending Angles (L1b)

CHAMP

2001-2010

FCDR

Release 1

 

Bending Angles (L1b)

COSMIC

2005-2018

FCDR

Release 2

 

Bending Angles (L1b)

GRACE

2006-2018

FCDR

Release 1

 

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

AMSU on NOAA-15 to -17

1999-2014

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0044

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

MHS on NOAA-18, -19 and Metop-A, -B

2005-2017

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0045

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

MHS on Metop-A, -B

2005-2018

FCDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0033

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

SSM/T2 on DMSP-11 to -15

1994-2005

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0046

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

SSM/T2 on DMSP-11 to -15

1994-2005

FCDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0050

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

ATMS on SNPP and JPSS-1

2011-2018

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0034 

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

MWHS on FY-3A and FY-3B

2008-2018

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0035 

Brightness Temperatures Microwave (L1c)

MWHS-2 on FY-3C

2013-2018

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0052 

Normalized Backscatter Scatterometer (L1b – Full Resolution)

ASCAT on Metop-A

2006-2014

FCDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0041

Normalized Backscatter Scatterometer (L1b – Resampled to 25 km resolution)

ASCAT on Metop-A

2006-2014

FCDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0042

Normalized Backscatter Scatterometer (L1b – Resampled to 12.5 km resolution)

ASCAT on Metop-A

2006-2014

FCDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0043

Radiation Visible and Infrared (L1.5)

MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to -7 (0° mission)

1982-2007

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0009

Radiation Visible and Infrared (L1.5)

MVIRI on Meteosat-5 (63°E mission)

1998-2007

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0013

Radiation Visible and Infrared (L1.5)

MVIRI on Meteosat-7 (57° E mission)

2007-2017

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0012

Radiance spectra infrared sounder (L1c)

IASI on Metop-A

2006-2017

FCDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0014

Radiance spectra infrared sounder (L1c)

HIRS on NOAA-7, -19 and Metop-A, -B

1982-2018

FCDR

Release 1

 

Radiance spectra visible spectrometer (L1b)

GOME-2 on Metop-A and -B

2006-2019

FCDR

Release 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aerosol Optical Depth (L2)

GOME-2, IASI, AVHRR on Metop-A & B

2006-2018

CDR 

Release 1

 

Clear Sky Radiances (L2)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 & 9 (0° mission)

2004-2012

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0007

All Sky Radiance (L2)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 & 9 (0° mission)

2004-2012

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0008

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2 – Polar)

AVHRR on Metop-A

2007-2014

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0040

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2 – Polar)

AVHRR on Metop-A & B

2007-2018

CDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0037

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2 – Global)

AVHRR on Metop-A & B

2012-2018

CDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0038

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2 – Polar)

AVHRR on NOAA-7 to 19 and Metop-A

1985-2012

CDR

Release 1

 

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2 – Polar)

AVHRR on TIROS-N, NOAA-7 to 19 and Metop-A  & B

1978-2019

CDR

Release 2

 

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 & 9 (0° mission)

2004-2012

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0006

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to Meteosat-7 (0° mission)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to Meteosat-10 (0° mission)

1982-2017

CDR

Release 2

 

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-5 (63°E mission)

1998-2007

CDR

Release 2

 

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-7 (57°E mission)

2007-2017

CDR

Release 2

 

Atmospheric Motion Vectors (L2)

SEVIRII on Meteosat-8 (41°E mission)

2018-2019

CDR

Release 2

 

Clear Sky Radiances (L2)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 & 9 (0° mission)

1982-2012

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0008

Clear Sky Radiance (L2)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 & 9 (0° mission)

2004-2012

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0007

Cloud Properties (L2)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to Meteosat-10 (0° mission)

 

 

Release 1

doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0049

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to Meteosat-7 (0° mission)

1982-2007

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0001

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-3 (50°W mission)

1991-1993

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0004

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-3 (75°W mission)

1993-1995

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0005

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-5 (63°E mission)

1998-2007

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0002

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-7 (57°E mission)

2006-2011

CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0003

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to Meteosat-7 (0° mission)

SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to Meteosat-10 (0° mission)

1982-2017

CDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0023

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-5 (63°E mission)

1998-2007

CDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0025

Surface Albedo (L2)

MVIRI on Meteosat-7 (57°E mission)

2006-2011

CDR

Release 2

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0024

Temperature and Humidity Profiles (L2)

IASI on Metop-A

2006-2018

 CDR

Release 1

http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SEC_CLM_0027

Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI
Lambertian Equivalent Reflectance (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A 2007-2012 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0001
Absorbing Aerosol Index based on main channels (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A 2007-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0003
Absorbing Aerosol Index based on polarized channels (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A 2008-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0004
Absorbing Aerosol Index based on main channels (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-B 2012-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0005
Absorbing Aerosol Index based on polarized channels (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-B 2012-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0006
Total Ozone (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A 2007-2015 CDR Release-1  
Tropospheric ozone column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1  
Total Ozone (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0009
Total Nitrogen Dioxide column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0010
Total Bromine Monoxide column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0011
Total Sulfur Dioxide column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0013
Total Formaldehyde column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0014
Total Water Vapour column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0017
Tropospheric Nitrogen Dioxide column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0018
Total OClO column (L2) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0015
Total and tropospheric NO2 CDR (L3) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0020
Total Water Vapour CDR (L3) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0021
Lambertian Equivalent Reflectance (L3) GOME-2 on MetOp-A 2007-2013 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0019
Lambertian Equivalent Reflectance (L3) GOME-2 on MetOp-B 2013-2016 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_O3M_0002
UV Daily dose, erythemal (CIE) weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0022
UV Daily dose, plant response weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0023
UV Daily dose, DNA damage weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0024
UV Daily dose, UVA weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0025
UV Daily dose, UVB weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0026
UV daily maximum dose rate, erythemal (CIE) weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0027
UV daily maximum dose rate, plant responce weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0028
UV daily maximum dose rate, DNA damage weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0029
UV daily maximum dose rate , UVA weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0030
UV daily maximum dose rate, UVB weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0031
solar noon UV Index (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0032
daily maximum ozone photolysis rate (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0033
daily maximum NO2 photolysis rate (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0034
UV Daily dose, D-vitamin weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0035
UV daily maximum dose, rate D-vitamin weighting (L3) GOME-2 and AVHRR on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0036
Lambertian Equivalent Reflectance (L3) GOME-2 on MetOp-A and -B 2007-2018 CDR   http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_AC_0039
Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI
Aerosol Optical Depth (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to -9 (0° mission) 2004-2012 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/MSG_AOD/V001
Binary Cloud mask (L2) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2012   Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CMA_SEVIRI/V001
CLAAS — Cloud and Radiation Properties (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2010 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLAAS/V001
CLAAS — Cloud and Radiation Products (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to -10 (0° mission) 2004-2015 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLAAS/V002
CLARA — Cloud Properties (L3) AVHRR on NOAA-7 to -19 and Metop-A 1982-2009 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLARA_AVHRR/V001
CLARA — Cloud and Radiation Products (L2) AVHRR on NOAA-7 to -19 and Metop-A and -B 1982-2015 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CLARA_AVHRR/V002
Free Tropospheric Humidity (L3) MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to -7 (0° mission) 1983-2008 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/FTH_METEOSAT/V001
HELIOSAT — Radiation Properties (L3) MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to -7 (0° mission) 1983-2004 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/RAD_MVIRI/V001
HOAPS — Water Vapour Products (L3) SSM/I on DMSP-F08 to DMSP-F15 1987-2008 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/HOAPS/V001
HOAPS — Water Vapour Products (L3) SSM/I on DMSP-F08 to DMSP-F15
SSMIS on DMSP-F16 to DMSP-F18
1987-2013 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/HOAPS/V002
Microwave Brightness Temperatures (L1) SSM/I on DMSP-F08 to DMSP-F15 1987-2008 FCDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/FCDR_SSMI/V001
Microwave Brightness Temperatures (L1) SSM/I on DMSP-F08 to DMSP-F15
SSMIS on DMSP-F16 to DMSP-F18
1987-2013 FCDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/FCDR_MWI/V002
SARAH - Surface Solar Radiation Dataset (L3) MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to -7 (0° mission)
SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to -9 (0° mission)
1983-2012 CDR Release-1 https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/SARAH/V002_01
SARAH - Surface Solar Radiation Dataset (L3) MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to -7 (0° mission)
SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to -9 (0° mission)
1983-2015 CDR Release-2 https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/SARAH/V002
SOUNDREP — Water Vapour Products (L3) ATOVS on NOAA-7, -19 and Metop-A 1982-2011 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/WVT_ATOVS/V001
Top of Atmosphere Fluxes (L2) GERB on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2010 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/TOA_GERB/V001
Top of Atmosphere Fluxes (L2) GERB on Meteosat-8 and -10 (0° mission) 2004-2015 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/TOA_GERB/V002
Vertically Integrated Water Vapour (L3) SSM/I on DMSP-F08 to DMSP-F15 1987-2008 FCDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/HTW_SSMI/V001
COMET — Fractional Cloud Cover (L3) MVIRI on Meteosat-2 to -7 (0° mission)
SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to -10 (0° mission)
1991-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/CFC_METEOSAT/V001
SUMET — Land Surface Temperature (L3) MVIRI on Meteosat-4 to -7 (0° mission)
SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 to -10 (0° mission)
1991-2015     https://doi.org/10.5676/EUM_SAF_CM/LST_METEOSAT/V001
Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI
Surface soil moisture (L3) ASCAT on Metop-A 2007-2014 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_H_0001
Surface soil moisture (L3) ASCAT on Metop-A and -B 2007-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_H_0002
Surface soil moisture (L3) ASCAT on Metop-A and -B 2007-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_H_0004
Surface soil moisture (L3) ASCAT on Metop-A and -B 2007-2017 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_H_0005
Root zone soil moisture (L3) AMI-SCAT on ERS-1 and -2
ASCAT on Metop-A
1992-2014 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_H_0003
Root zone soil moisture (L3) AMI-SCAT on ERS-1 and -2
ASCAT on Metop-A and -B
1992-2018 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_H_0008
Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI
Fractional vegetation cover (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_LSA_0003
Leaf Area Index (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_LSA_0004
Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2015 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_LSA_0005
Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI
25km Wind Products (L3) ASCAT on MetOp-A 2007-2014 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0006
12.5km Wind Products (L3) ASCAT on MetOp-A 2007-2014 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0007
25km Wind Products (L3) QuikSCAT on SeaWinds 1999-2009 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0002
50km Wind Products (L3) QuikSCAT on SeaWinds 1999-2009 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0003
Sea Ice Concentration (L3) SSMR on Nimbus-7
SSM/I on DMSP-F08,-F11,-F13,-F14 and -F15
1978-2009 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0001
Sea Ice Concentration (L3) SSM/I on DMSP-F13 and -F15
SSMIS on DMSP-F17 and -F18
2009-2016 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0005
25km Winds (L3) AMI-SCAT on ERS-1 and -2 1992-2001 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0009
Sea Ice Concentration (L3) SSMR on Nimbus-7
SSM/I on DMSP-F08,-F11,-F13,-F14 and -F15
SSMIS on DMSP-F17 and -F18
1979-2015 CDR Release-2 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0008
25km Wind Products (L3) OSCAT on Oceansat-2 2009-2014 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0010
50km Wind Products (L3) OSCAT on Oceansat-2 2009-2014 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0011
Sea Surface Temperature (L3) SEVIRI on Meteosat-8 and -9 (0° mission) 2004-2012 CDR Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_OSI_0004
Quantity Satellites Period Type Release DOI
Bending angles (L1b)and Atmospheric profiles (L2) GRAS on Metop-A and -B 2006-2016 FCDR
>CDR
Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_GRM_0002
Bending angles (L1b)and Atmospheric profiles (L2) COSMIC on FM1 to FM6 2006-2016 FCDR
CDR
Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_GRM_0003
Bending angles (L1b)and Atmospheric profiles (L2 CHAMP on CHAMP 2001-2008 FCDR
CDR
Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_GRM_0004
Bending angles (L1b)and Atmospheric profiles (L2) GRACE on GRACE-A and -B 2007-2016 FCDR
CDR
Release-1 http://doi.org/10.15770/EUM_SAF_GRM_0005

If EUMETSAT has not everything you need, please explore the Inventory of climate data records created by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS)-Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS) Joint Working Group on Climate that provides more information on available climate data records from the network of space agencies.

How do we observe climate from space?

Satellite sensors detect radiation reflected or emitted by the Earth. This can be radiation originating from the Earth’s atmosphere, surface, or even subsurface. Satellite sensors are of two primary types, i.e., passive and active sensors (see Fig A).

Passive sensors sense shortwave, solar, radiation reflected by the Earth or longwave, thermal, radiation emitted by the Earth. Passive sensors measure radiation in specific frequency bands. Examples of passive sensors are MVIRI, SEVIRI, IASI, and GOME-2.

Active sensors provide their own source of energy to illuminate the objects they are sensing. An active sensor emits radiation in the direction of the target to be investigated. The sensor then detects and measures the radiation that is reflected or backscattered from the target. Examples of an active sensor is ASCAT.

Sensoring schematic
Figure 1: Illustration of sensor process

What are Climate Data Records?

Climate data record is a specific definition developed by the CEOS-CGMS Joint Working Group on Climate in 2020. The group defines three types of climate data records. Firstly, Fundamental Climate Data Records (FCDRs) that consists of a consistently-processed time series of uncertainty-quantified sensor observations calibrated to physical units, located in time and space, and of sufficient length and quality to be useful for climate science or applications. FCDRs are typically calibrated radiances, backscatter of active instruments, or radio occultation bending-angles, and include the ancillary data used to calibrate them. A prime example is EUMETSAT’s Meteosat FCDR. Secondly, Climate Data Records (CDRs) that consists of a consistently processed time series of uncertainty-quantified retrieved values of a geophysical variable or related indicator, located in time and space, and of sufficient length and quality to be useful for climate science or applications. Examples of CDRs are cloud property data records and sea ice concentration. Finally, and thirdly, Interim Climate Data Records (ICDRs) that are consistently processed times series of uncertainty-quantified estimates of CDR values produced with better timeliness than, but otherwise minimizing differences with, the estimated CDR values. ICDRs are important to monitor climate closer to real time and actual developments of sea ice concentrations are a good example for that.

Why are Climate Data Records important?

Climate data records provide trustworthy information on how, where, and to what extent the land, oceans, atmosphere and ice sheets are changing over long periods. Interest groups from the energy, the water resource, the agricultural, the human health, the national security, the coastal communities, and many more recognise the importance of climate data records, such as the ones provided by EUMETSAT. Typically, climate data records allow these communities to unravel the underlying climate trends and variability information or to assimilate these data in state-of-art climate reanalysis, such as the fifth ECMWF ReAnalysis (ERA-5). The information created in this process is important for the implementation of the Paris Agreement at the level of the United Nations.

How is the quality and consistency of Climate Data Records ensured?

EUMETSAT produces climate data records (both FCDRs and CDRs) by applying state-of-art data processors, which have advanced significantly during the last decade, to historical and present-day satellite data. Our climate data records are operationally generated and are routinely checked on quality. The steps in establishing these operational climate data record involves a rigid Research-to-Operations process, which starts with defining the requirements from users and completes with performing a formal review of the data quality and corresponding documentation. Only after this rigid process and a successful review of all data and documents, a climate data record is officially released to the global user community.