MERRA-2 Data
MERRA-2 is a new version of the popular MERRA dataset modelled and distributed by the Global Modeling and Assimilation Office of NASA / Goddard Space Flight Center. The original MERRA dataset will be discontinued sometime in 2016 at which point MERRA-2 will continue to be updated. MERRA-2 uses a newer version of the modelling system and also incorporates newer data sources and observations.
Resolution and Coverage
The model grid is 0.5 degree latitude and 0.625 degree longitude. This is slightly different from the original MERRA dataset.
It holds 1 hourly values in a period from 1992 until present.
Coverage is global for land-areas and coastal regions.
Offshore coverage is only to be expected up to approximately 300 km from the coastline.
Data Availability
MERRA-2 data is commonly available within windPRO with a time-lag of 1-2 months. This is due to the processing time of the data at NASA and the subset-processing at EMD. When the data have been processed at EMD, then the following parameters are available from within the online-data services within windPRO. Please note that the displacement height is the height at which the log wind profile projects the wind to be zero.
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| time | UTC time stamp |
| psfc | Surface pressure |
| msl | Mean Sea Level pressure |
| wSpeed.50 | Wind speed at 50 m above surface |
| wDir.50 | Wind direction at 50 m above surface |
| wSpeed.850hpa | Wind speed at 850 hpa |
| wDir.850hpa | Wind direction at 850hpa |
| temperature.10 | Temperature at 10 m above surface |
| temperature.50 | Temperature at 50 m above surface |
| dispHeight | Displacement height |
| precIceWater | Total precipitable ice water |
| precLiqWater | Total precipitable liquid water |
| precWaterVapor | Total precipitable water vapor |
| specHumidity.10 | Specific humidity at 10 m |
External Links
- The MERRA-2 project page at: http://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/reanalysis/MERRA-2/
Acknowledgement
Credits: The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) for the MERRA-analysis and the GES DISC for the dissemination of MERRA.