This SST dataset is prepared at NCEP and NCDC by Dick Reynolds and Tom Smith. This dataset replaces the original Reynolds Reconstructed SST Dataset.

Taken in part from NCDC
The extended reconstructed sea surface temperature (ERSST) was constructed using the most recently available International-Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (I-COADS) SST data and improved statistical methods that allow stable reconstruction using sparse data. This monthly analysis begins January 1854, but because of sparse data the analyzed signal is heavily damped before 1880. Afterwards the strength of the signal is more consistent over time. The ERSST analysis will be updated as new data become available.

Taken from abstract of paper cited below
A monthly extended reconstruction of global SST (ERSST) is produced based on Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (COADS) release 2 observations from the 1854-1997 period. Improvements come from the use of updated COADS observations with new quality control procedures and from improved reconstruction methods. In addition error estimates are computed, which include uncertainty from both sampling and analysis errors. Using this method, little global variance can be reconstructed before the 1880s because data are too sparse to resolve enough modes for that period. Error estimates indicate that except in the North Atlantic ERSST is of limited value before 1880, when the uncertainty of the near-global average is almost as large as the signal. In most regions, the uncertainty decreases through most of the period and is smallest after 1950.

The large-scale variations of ERSST are broadly consistent with those associated with the Hadley Centre Global Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature (HadISST) reconstruction produced by the Met Office. There are differences due to both the use of different historical bias corrections as well as different data and analysis procedures, but these differences do not change the overall character of the SST variations. Procedures used here produce a smoother analysis compared to HadISST. The smoother ERSST has the advantage of filtering out more noise at the possible cost of filtering out some real variations when sampling is sparse. A rotated EOF analysis of the ERSST anomalies shows that the dominant modes of variation include ENSO and modes associated with trends. Projection of the HadISST data onto the rotated eigenvectors produces time series similar to those for ERSST, indicating that the dominant modes of variation are consistent in both.

Smith, T. M. and R. W. Reynolds, 2003: Extended Reconstruction of Global Sea Surface Temperatures Based on COADS Data (1854-1997). J. Climate, 16, 1495-1510.

Click on the links below to view data coverage maps for a particular time period. Percentage of non-missing data per time period is plotted. Coverage is consistent throughout the period of record.

(1854-2002)

Updated: 10/21/03
Maintained by asphilli@ucar.edu