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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Daily Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), Version 1.2 (Version Superseded)

Outgoing Longwave Radiation - Daily

browse graphicImage of Daily OLR.
*Note: This dataset version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended that users access the current version. Users should only use this version for special cases, such as reproducing studies that used this version.* This Climate Data Record (CDR) contains the daily mean Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) time series in global 1 degree x 1 degree equal-angle gridded maps spanning from January 1979 to August 2025. The OLR is estimated directly from the HIRS radiance observations for all sky conditions. The observations from imagers onboard international operational geostationary satellites are incorporated to improve the sampling of the OLR diurnal variation. The Daily OLR CDR is at its initial version 1.2. The data file format is netCDF-4 with CF metadata, and it is accompanied by algorithm documentation, data flow diagram and source code for the NOAA CDR Program.
  • Cite dataset when used as a source: Hai-Tien Lee and NOAA CDR Program (2011): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Daily Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), Version 1.2. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Climatic Data Center. doi:10.7289/V5SJ1HH2 [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00875
Full Text · XML
Other Access
  • Contact NCEI (offlineAccess)
    Contact NCEI for more information and to request access to the archived data. Requests are subject to NCEI order fulfillment constraints.
Distribution Formats
  • NetCDF (Version: 4)
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact NOAA Climate Data Record Program Office
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 (828) 271-4800
daily_olr_contacts@noaa.gov
Coverage Description
Time Period 1979-01-01 to 2025-08-22
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2014-07-03
Edition Version 1.2
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Superseded - replaced by new
Data Update Frequency Daily
Purpose This dataset provides a high quality Climate Data Record (CDR) of daily Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR). Examples of applications are users conducting studies/operation in global change monitoring, earth radiation budget, precipitation, tropical dynamics and monsoon diagnostics/forecast, and tropical expansion.
Use Limitations
  • *Note: This dataset version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended that users access the current version. Users should only use this version for special cases, such as reproducing studies that used this version.*
  • For a complete description of use limiataions for this CDR, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite dataset when used as a source: Hai-Tien Lee and NOAA CDR Program (2011): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Daily Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), Version 1.2. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Climatic Data Center. doi:10.7289/V5SJ1HH2 [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Lee, Hai-Tien
    UMD/ESSIC > Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland
  • NOAA CDR Program
Principal Investigators
  • Lee, Hai-Tien
    UMD/ESSIC > Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland
Collaborators
  • NOAA CDR Program
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Outgoing Longwave Radiation
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • TIROS-N > Television Infrared Observation Satellite - N
  • NOAA-6 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 6
  • NOAA-7 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 7
  • NOAA-8 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 8
  • NOAA-9 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 9
  • NOAA-10 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 10
  • NOAA-11 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 11
  • NOAA-12 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 12
  • NOAA-14 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 14
  • NOAA-15 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 15
  • NOAA-16 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 16
  • NOAA-17 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 17
  • NOAA-18 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 18
  • NOAA-19 > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration - 19
  • MetOp-A > Meteorological Operational Polar Satellite - A
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • HIRS-2 > High Resolution Infra-red Sounder/2
  • HIRS-3 > High Resolution Infra-red Sounder/3
  • HIRS-4 > High Resolution Infra-red Sounder/4
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • NOAA OneStop Project
Use Constraints
  • Cite dataset when used as a source: Hai-Tien Lee and NOAA CDR Program (2011): NOAA Climate Data Record (CDR) of Daily Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), Version 1.2. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Climatic Data Center. doi:10.7289/V5SJ1HH2 [access date].
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement The data were produced by the University of Maryland, and are archived at the NOAA National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).
Processor
  • UMD > University of Maryland
Processing Steps
  • For a complete description of the processing steps, see the Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document and Data Flow Diagram.
Source Datasets
  • NOAA High-resolution Infrared Radiation Sounder (HIRS) Level 1b dataset
    • Description of Source:
  • NOAA GridSat-B1 Geostationary Imager Brightness Temperatures for final CDR
    • Description of Source:
  • GSIP (GOES Surface and Insolation Product) for Interim CDR only
    • Description of Source:
  • OLR Regression Coefficients
    • Description of Source:
  • Calibration Prediction Coefficients
    • Description of Source:
  • Inter-Satellite Bias Corrections
    • Description of Source:
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2026-08-26T18:33:09
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov