NOAA ACSPO v2.80 0.02deg L3S SST from Afternoon LEO Satellites (L3S-LEO-PM)

NOAA STAR produces two lines of gridded 0.02deg super-collated L3S LEO datasets from Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites, one from the NOAA afternoon JPSS (L3S_LEO_PM) and the other from the EUMETSAT mid-morning Metop-FG (L3S_LEO_AM). The L3S_LEO_PM is derived from JPSS satellites (in v2.80, NPP and N20) with VIIRS sensor onboard (0.75km/nadir). The L3S_LEO_PM dataset is produced by aggregating L3U datasets from two JPSS satellites ( https://doi.org/10.5067/GHVRS-3UO28 and https://doi.org/10.5067/GHV20-3UO28 ) and covers from Feb 2012-present. The L3S-LEO-PM data are reported in two files per 24hr interval, one daytime and one nighttime (nominal JPSS local equator crossing times around 01:30/13:30). Data is in NetCDF4 format, compliant with the GHRSST Data Specification version 2 (GDS2). The Near-Real Time (NRT) L3S-LEO data are archived at PO.DAAC with approximately 6 hours latency and then replaced by the Delayed Mode files about 2 months later, with identical file names. In addition to SST, the L3S-LEO files report the location and intensity of thermal fronts. The NRT/DM data are seamlessly stitched with the full-mission Reanalysis (RAN). The ACSPO L3S products are monitored and validated against in situ data in the NOAA iQuam system ( https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/sst/iquam ) in the NOAA SQUAM system ( https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/sst/squam ). Quality of SST imagery, clear-sky mask and thermal fronts is evaluated in the NOAA ARMS system ( https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/socd/sst/arms ). NOAA plans to include data from other afternoon platforms and sensors, such as N21 and Aqua MODIS, into the future releases of the L3S_LEO_PM.