Dataset for: Gulf Stream evolution through the Straits of Florida: the role of eddies and upwelling near Cuba

This dataset contains satellite and drifter data supplemental to Androulidakis et al (2020). Included are the Satellite Ocean Color maps showing the Color Index (CI) distribution over the western Straits of Florida on 06/17/2010, 07/11/2010, 07/15/2011, 05/23/2012, 06/01/2016, 05/06/2013, 06/13/2013 and 08/09/2013. This type of data is part of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) product, developed and distributed by the Optical Oceanography Laboratory from the University of South Florida (https://optics.marine.usf.edu/). The second type of satellite data is from the Group for High-Resolution Sea Surface Temperature (GHRSST). Specifically, the dataset includes Level 4 SST data produced as a retrospective dataset at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (DAAC) using wavelets as basis functions in an optimal interpolation approach on a global 0.011-degree grid. The third type of satellite data utilized is the Archiving, Validation and Interpretation of Satellite Oceanographic Data (AVISO; https://www.aviso.altimetry.fr) that includes the Sea Level Anomaly (SLA) estimated with altimeters in orbit and the Mean Dynamic Topography (MDT). When combined, SLA and MDT represent the Maps of Absolute Dynamic Topography (MADT). The MADT data have 0.25° resolution and are used to investigate the Loop Current evolution inside the western Straits of Florida, based on the 17 cm SSH anomaly contour. The mean annual position of this contour is provided for 2010-2017. The drifter data were derived from the Global Drifter Program (GDP). This program has followed the Surface Velocity Program (SVP) started in 1979 and aims at providing measurements of near-surface ocean currents worldwide at 15 m depth. HYCOM hydrodynamic fields for 2010 through 2017 are found in other related datasets under GRIIDC Unique Dataset Identifiers (UDIs): R5.x281.000:0001 (10.7266/N7NG4NPG) , R6.x818.000:0004 (10.7266/n7-e1mg-8e73), R6.x818.000:0005 (10.7266/n7-ctpa-q845), R6.x818.000:0006 (10.7266/n7-s3t7-ab53), R6.x818.000:0007 (10.7266/n7-a6wv-rj68), R5.x281.000:0017 (10.7266/n7-3s8f-m404), R6.x818.000:0008 (10.7266/n7-0gwc-ex81), and R6.x818.000:0009 (10.7266/n7-memc-es11). Modeled particle trajectories can be downloaded from R6.x818.000:010 (10.7266/88M3XXQW). These datasets support the publication: Androulidakis, Y.; Kourafalou, V.; Le Henaff, M.; Kang, H.; Ntaganou, N.; Hu, C. (2020). Gulf Stream evolution through the Straits of Florida: the role of eddies and upwelling near Cuba. Ocean Dynamics, doi:10.1007/s10236-020-01381-5