Global Sea Surface Temperatures (COBE-SST)

   This data is monthly mean analyzed sea surface temperatures (SSTs)
 for each one degree latitudinal and longitudinal squares over the global ocean
between 90S and 90N.  This SST dataset, named 'COBE-SST (Centennial in-situ 
Observation Based Estimates of variability of SST and marine meteorological 
variables - SST)', has been newly produced with the method proposed by Ishii et
al. (2005).  SSTs in sea ice area are obtained by transformation from sea ice 
concentration.  The Climate Prediction Division of the JMA operationally updates
the SSTs for latest month.  Historical time series of the new SST since 1891 is
available.
    The historical database of in situ observations used in the SST analysis 
includes about 160 million reports from the International Comprehensive Ocean 
and Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS) release 2, the Kobe Collection, and a buoy 
dataset compiled by the Marine Environmental Data Service (MEDS). The reports 
via global telecommunication system (GTS) after 1997 are used in the analysis.

Data format
  The each monthly dataset consists of 181 records, one header record and 
following 180 data records from north to south. The header record contains the 
year and month in 2I4.  Each data record is written as 360I3 from west to east,
with unit in 0.1C. That is, the first value of the first data record is for the
grid centered at 89.5 degree North and 0.5 degree East, and the last value of 
the last data record is for that at 89.5 degree South and 0.5 degree West, 
respectively. '999' is placed on the grid on land.


For further information, please contact the Regional Real Time Data Base at 
neargoos@climar.kishou.go.jp

References
Ishii, M., A Shouji, S Sugimoto and T Matsumoto, 2005: Objective Analyses of 
Sea-Surface Temperature and Marine Meteorological Variables for the 20th Century
 using ICOADS and the KOBE Collection. Int. J. Climatol., 25, 865-879.