Japanese ocean flux data sets with use of remote sensing observations (J-OFURO)

We have constructed ocean surface data sets using mainly satellite data and called Japanese Ocean Flux data sets with Use of Remote sensing Observations (J-OFURO). The data sets include shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, latent heat sensible heat flux, and momentum flux etc. This article introduces J-OFURO compares it with other global flux data sets such as European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) and National Center for Environmental Prediction(NCEP) reanalysis data and da Silva et al. (1994). The usual ECMWF data are for comparison of zonal wind. The comparison is carried out for a meridional along the dateline for January and July 1993. Although the overall spatial is common for all the products, there is a large difference between them in J-OFURO shortwave radiation in July shows larger meridional contrast than data sets. On the other hand, J-OFURO underestimates longwave radiation at low- and mid-latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. J-OFURO latent heat in January overestimates at 10degreesN-20degreesN and underestimates at 25degreesN-40degreesN. Finally, J-OFURO shows a larger oceanic net heat loss at 10degreesN-20degreesN and a smaller loss of 20degreesN in January. The data of da Silva et al. in July show small net heat loss 20degreesS and large gain around 20degreesN, while the NCEP reanalysis (NRA) data the opposite. The da Silva et al. zonal wind speed overestimates at low-latitudes January, while ECMWF wind data seem to underestimate the easterlies.