SeaFlux-CDR: Developing a multi-platform remotely sensed turbulent flux climate data record

Ocean surface turbulent latent and sensible heat fluxes are an integral component of the Earth's energy and water cycles. Developing global ocean estimates from surface observations is challenging due to the sparse sampling in space and time available from in situ sources. Satellite-based estimates of turbulent fluxes provide a unique advantage in terms of spatial and temporal coverage. Remotely sensed data products are generated through retrievals of near-surface parameters and application of bulk flux models. The development of long-term (e.g. 20+ year records) climate data records (CDR) remains a challenge for remote sensing estimates due to significant changes in the observing system. This work will present an analysis of the recently developed SeaFlux-CDR, a 3-hourly, quarter-degree, 25+ year turbulent flux record produced using multiple passive microwave sensors. In addition to a baseline characterization of the SeaFlux-CDR climatology, an analysis of the sensitivity of the CDR stability to changes in the observing system is discussed. Emphasis will be placed on changes to the observing system with respect to passive microwave sensor data quality and availability, earth incidence angle variations, and the impact of sampling variability. These analyses will be undertaken with respect to both the fluxes and the underlying bulk variables.