Vertically integrated water vapour, humidity and temperature at pressures levels and layers from ATOVS

The CM SAF ATOVS data set offers 13 years
(01 January 1999 - 31 December 2011) of water vapour and temperature satellite-derived global products.
Different parameters generated simultaneously are available: vertically integrated water
vapour (kg/m2), vertically integrated water vapour (kg/m2) and mean temperature (K) in 5 layers,
specific humidity (g/kg) and temperature (K) on 6 levels. Also available are number of valid
observations and an uncertainty estimate. The data set was derived from ATOVS onboard the NOAA
satellites NOAA-15, NOAA-16, NOAA-17, NOAA-18, NOAA-19 and onboard the European Metop-A satellite.
ATOVS is composed of three instruments: HIRS, AMSU-B/MHS and AMSU-A. After application of a kriging
routine, the products are available as daily and monthly means on a cylindrical equal area projection
of 90km×90km. Grid information is given for centre position. Layers are (hPa): 200-300, 300-500,
500-700, 700-850, 850-surface. Levels are: 200, 300, 500, 700, 850, 1000 hPa.