A new daily quarter degree sea level anomaly product from CryoSat-2 for ocean science and applications

• Published in: Scientific Data
• Main Authors: Christopher J. Banks, Francisco Mir Calafat, Andrew G. P. Shaw, Helen M. Snaith, Christine P. Gommenginger, Jérôme Bouffard
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Nature Portfolio 2023
• Subjects: Science; Q; Sea ice
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-023-02300-1; https://doaj.org/article/968a232d984e47b79ee027dd95cb8f63

Abstract The European Space Agency launched CryoSat-2 as the first European ice mission in 2010. Its advanced altimeter met primary objectives concerned with sea ice thickness and ice sheets. The value of Cryosat-2 data over global oceans was recognised, and operational products were developed via the CryoSat Ocean Processor (COP). The novel orbit of CryoSat-2 results in a denser coverage of sample points compared to other satellite altimeters. The National Oceanography Centre Sea Level Anomaly (NOCSLA) gridded product is based on interpolating Geophysical Ocean Products (GOP) using weights in space and time. GOP represents the highest quality operational ocean data. NOCSLA is a daily, ¼° sea level anomaly product covering non-coastal oceans between [60°N 60°S] and January 2011 to October 2020. The paper presents the methodology and scientific applications of NOCSLA. Oceanographic features observed are compared against products from other missions, including Rossby waves and El Niño signals. Results show good agreement with other products, confirming the value of Cryosat-2 data for ocean science and applications.