Earth ID: 5147

GEOS-FP Near Surface Temperature

Visualizations by Joseph V. Ardizzone Released on September 26, 2023

Near surface temperature is calculated by sampling 3-D atmospheric fields from NASA’s GEOS-FP system 3 meters above Earth’s surface. GEOS-FP combines millions of weather observations with a predictive model to create a global best estimate of weather conditions that are used to begin a forecast.

Weather models begin their forecasts by integrating observations from ground stations, aircraft, balloons, and a growing constellation of Earth observing satellites to estimate the most realistic atmospheric state. The Goddard Earth Observing System Forward Processing (GEOS-FP) system is a research model maintained by NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office to demonstrate innovative new ways to use satellite data to improve predictions of weather, air quality, and greenhouse gases and to help NASA collect new observations of our home planet. Near surface temperature is calculated by sampling model fields at 2 meters (about 6 feet) above Earth’s surface, helping scientists communicate to the general public the air temperatures they encounter. Variations reflect differences in daytime and nighttime temperatures and the influence of large scale weather systems. As the planet warms in response to rising greenhouse gas concentrations, scientists are also tracking changes in the frequency of heat waves and their potential impacts on human health.

Visualization Credits

Joseph V. Ardizzone (NASA/GSFC): Lead Visualizer

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5147

Data Used:

GEOS-FP

Model - NASA GMAO

Documentation: Lucchesi, R., 2018: File Specification for GEOS FP. GMAO Office Note No. 4 (Version 1.2), 61 pp, available from [https://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/pubs/docs/Lucchesi1203.pdf](https://gmao.gsfc.nasa.gov/pubs/docs/Lucchesi1203.pdf)

https://fluid.nccs.nasa.gov/weather/

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Keywords:
SVS >> Hyperwall
SVS >> GMAO
NASA Science >> Earth
NASA Earth Science Focus Areas >> Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics
SVS >> Earth Information Center