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ABSTRACT: The Multichannel Sea Surface Temperature (MCSST) algorithm uses satellite derived SST observations to compute an SST value at the intersection of each latitude/longitude grid line. Using this information, 1 degree isotherms, having a spatial resolution of 100km, are plotted on sets of 1 degree charts. Originally, eighteen charts were required to provide global coverage. … Sixteen of the charts were mercator projections covering 0-50 degrees north or 0-50 degrees south and 50 degrees of longitude (with 5 degree overlap east-west). The two remaining charts were polar-stereographic projections centered at each pole extending to at least 50 degreesnorth/south in all directions. In January 1979, the format of these charts was changed to a new configuration. (The new format and theold format rotated every week until March 1979, when the new format was used exclusively.) Coverage was limited to 70 degrees north to 70 degrees south, and twenty-four charts were needed for global coverage. Each 50 degree longitude band is sub-divided into three charts: 70 degrees north to 20 degrees north, 25 degrees north to 25 degrees south, and 20 degrees south to 70 degrees south. Although 1 degree SST data is available daily, these charts are generated once a week with the bulk of the data coming from the day before the date of generation. On June 1, 1986, the 24 charts were replaced by one single chart.

PURPOSE: To make a wide range of climatic data available to researchers and the public.