CMCC Global Ocean Reanalysis System (C-GLORS)

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CMCC Global Ocean Reanalysis System (C-GLORS)
Main content

"The CMCC Global Ocean Physical Reanalysis System (C-GLORS) is used  to simulate the state of the ocean in the last decades. It consists of a variational data assimilation system (OceanVar), capable of assimilating all in-situ observations along with altimetry data, and a forecast step performed by the ocean model NEMO coupled with the LIM2 sea-ice model."

Key Strengths

Key Strengths

Data are available for a large number of ocean parameters

An extensive validation has been conducted and is freely available

The reanalysis is performed at high resolution (1/4 degree) and spans the last 30 years

Key Limitations

Key Limitations

Quality may be discontinuos and depend on observation coverage

Uncertainty estimates are simply derived through verification skill scores

Net surface heat flux seems underestimated at high latitudes

Please cite data sources, following the data providers' instructions
Dataset DOIs
None
Hosted Climate Index Files
None
Usage Restrictions

Freely available upon registration

Expert Developer Guidance

Expert Developer Guidance

The following was contributed by Dr. Andrea Storto (CMCC, Italy), October, 2014:

"Summary: The CMCC Global Ocean Physical Reanalysis System (C-GLORS) is used at CMCC to simulate the state of the ocean in the last decades. It consists of a variational data assimilation system (OceanVar), capable of assimilating all in-situ observations along with altimetry data, and a forecast step performed by the ocean model NEMO coupled with the LIM2 sea-ice model.

Key Strengths:

-Data dissemination is provided for a very large number of ocean parameters

-An extensive validation has been conducted and is freely available, confirming the good quality of the dataset

-The reanalysis is performed at high resolution (1/4 degree) and spans the last 30 years, covering the entire era of meteorological satellites

 

Key Limitations:

-Quality may be discontinuos and depend on observation coverage

-Uncertainty estimates are simply derived through verification skill scores

-Net surface heat flux seems underestimated at high latitudes

 

C-GLORS provides a 3D picture of the state of the ocean at 1/4 degree resolution for the meteorological satellite era (1982-2012).

It can be used for a wide range of applications, from climate monitoring to ocean dynamics studies, to models validation and comparisons, and downstream application (e.g. fisheries, biogeochemistry, etc.).

While climate signals are generally well reproduced, users should pay attention to the period where changes in observing system are present (mostly when altimetric missions start, October 1992, or when Argo data come in the system, 2001-2004)."##

Cite this page

Acknowledgement of any material taken from or knowledge gained from this page is appreciated:

Storto, Andrea & National Center for Atmospheric Research Staff (Eds). Last modified "The Climate Data Guide: CMCC Global Ocean Reanalysis System (C-GLORS).” Retrieved from https://climatedataguide.ucar.edu/climate-data/cmcc-global-ocean-reanalysis-system-c-glors on 2024-03-28.


Citation of datasets is separate and should be done according to the data providers' instructions. If known to us, data citation instructions are given in the Data Access section, above.


Acknowledgement of the Climate Data Guide project is also appreciated:

Schneider, D. P., C. Deser, J. Fasullo, and K. E. Trenberth, 2013: Climate Data Guide Spurs Discovery and Understanding. Eos Trans. AGU, 94, 121–122, https://doi.org/10.1002/2013eo130001

Key Figures

Heat Content Trend

Ocean Heat Content Linear Trend (1982-2012) as simulated by the last version of C-GLORS at 0.25 degree resolution. (contributed by A. Storto)

Other Information

Years of record
to
Data time period extended
Yes, data set is extended
Timestep
Daily, Monthly, Weekly
Domain
Formats:
Input Data

Hydrographic data (XBT, CTD, Argo, Buoys, Sea-Mammals); altimetry (along-track); Satellite SST (AVHRR); Satellite Sea-Ice Concentration

Missing Data Flag
None
Ocean or Land
Ocean Only
Spatial Resolution

1/4 degree, 50 levels

Model Resolution (reanalysis)
None
Data Assimilation Method
None
Model Vintage (reanalysis)
None