Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Department of Geography and Environmental Resources
NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Visualization Page
Description:

The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data are global gridded climate data (described by Kalnay et al. 1996 and Kistler et al. 2001). The data set consists of numerous atmospheric variables at multiple vertical levels. Here, several variables are mapped in different formats. The aim of this project was to provide an NCEP/NCAR reanalysis visualization page that can be used for exploratory and educational purposes.

Three types of map products are provided here:

1) Monthly Means:
For each variable, 12 maps are shown corresponding to the months. These maps are meant for examination of seasonal and spatial variations.
Sensible Heat Flux: SFC
Latent Heat Flux: SFC
Air Temperature: 2 m
Air Temperature: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Zonal Wind: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Meridional Wind: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Specific Humidity: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Geopotential Height: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb

2) Annual Means and Anomalies:
For each variable, 55 maps are shown corresponding to the years 1950-2004. For each year, both the mean field and the anomaly field are shown. These maps are meant for examination of interannual and spatial variability.

Sensible Heat Flux: SFC
Latent Heat Flux: SFC
Air Temperature: 2 m
Air Temperature: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Zonal Wind: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Meridional Wind: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Specific Humidity: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Geopotential Height: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb

3) Means and Anomalies for Individual Months and Years:
For each variable, the user can choose any year between 1950 and 2004 and view the 12 monthly mean fields and 12 monthly anomaly fields for the chosen year. These maps are meant for more detailed examination of specific time periods.

Sensible Heat Flux: SFC
Latent Heat Flux: SFC
Air Temperature: 2 m
Air Temperature: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Zonal Wind: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Meridional Wind: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Specific Humidity: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb 850 mb
Geopotential Height: 300 mb 500 mb 700 mb

This page is the product of the undergraduate research assistantship of SIUC undergraduate student Justin Hassler. The page and content were constructed under the supervision of Justin T. Schoof, Assistant Professor of Geography and Environmental Resources at SIUC. For questions regarding this page, please contact Justin T. Schoof (jschoof@siu.edu).