Yearly observational estimates of near-global upper-ocean heat content and thermosteric sea level from 1960 to 2024, depth-integrated over 300 m and 700 m for 65N-65S v.2

This dataset provides yearly estimates of near-global (65N-65S) ocean heat content and thermosteric sea-level depth-integrated for the upper 300 and 700 metres of the ocean for 1960 to 2024. The yearly values are presented with three-year smoothing and one-sigma error estimates. The dataset builds upon and updates the methodology established in Domingues et al. (2008, Nature), incorporating temperature measurements from ocean observation systems and applying corrections for instrumental biases and sampling irregularities. To estimate ocean heat content and the associated thermosteric sea level, we used ocean temperature profiles from the ENACT/ENSEMBLES version 3 (EN3) data set (1970-2004), and Argo/Ifremer profiling floats (2000-2024, updated January 2025). Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) were used to model variability of the time-varying sea level and were calculated from 23 years (1993-2015) of satellite altimeter data sourced from CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) - (TOPEX/Poseidon, Jason-1, Jason-2 and Jason-3). Current version 2 reflects an updated time period and another depth integration (300 m) from previous submitted version. Domingues, C., Church, J., White, N. et al. Improved estimates of upper-ocean warming and multi-decadal sea-level rise. Nature 453, 1090–1093 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature07080