Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (OISST)
Version Update Announcement: Starting April 1, 2020, the v2 has been updated to v2.1. The older version v2 had stopped on April 26, 2020 - please use the new version , v2.1.
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The NOAA 1/4° daily Optimum Interpolation Sea Surface Temperature (or daily OISST) is an analysis constructed by combining observations from different platforms (satellites, ships, buoys, and Argo floats) on a regular global grid. A spatially complete SST map is produced by interpolating to fill in gaps. The methodology includes bias adjustment of satellite and ship observations (referenced to buoys) to compensate for platform differences and sensor biases. This proved critical during the Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991, when the widespread presence of volcanic aerosols resulted in infrared satellite temperatures that were much cooler than actual ocean temperatures (Reynolds 1993).
Contact: oisst-help@noaa.gov