NCEP assimilation system (GODAS)


Product description

NCEP runs a Global Ocean Data Assimilation System called GODAS which routinely produces operational datasets. GODAS assimilates various data for use in a climate forecast system also at NCEP. GODAS runs with either a two-week delay or a one-week delay.

Currently, GODAS assimilates only temperature profiles from XBTs, TAO, Triton, PIRATA and Argo floats. Synthetic salinities are computed for each temperature profile using a local T-S climatology. However, Argo salinity profiles are being assimilated in developmental versions of GODAS.

Ocean parameters

The following parameter outputs of the GODAS system can be found here. For each of the outputs listed below, there are monthly climatology versions, monthly product versions, and pentad product versions. There are also many views available, including X-Y, X-Z, Y-Z for each major ocean basin, time-longitude sections and zonal average plots.

  • SST and SST anomaly
  • Depth of 20° and 26° isotherm
  • Tropical cyclone heat potential
  • Mixed layer depth
  • Average temperature in top 300m
  • Surface net heat flux
  • Surface net fresh water flux
  • Sea level
  • Surface zonal and meridional wind stress
  • Surface wind stress vector
  • Surface currents
It is also possible to see the input data distribution maps for each year. All the products listed above are maps, but it is possible to download netCDF and text versions of several of the gridded products.

Resolution

GODAS is quasi-global, meaning its dimensions are from 76° S to 65° N. Within that range, there is a 1° by 1° resolution that increases to 1/3° in the north-south direction within 10° of the equator. The model has 40 levels with 10m resolution in the upper 200m.


GODAS Temperature (140° W)
1982-2004 Annual

GODAS SSH Anomaly for March 2007

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