This meridional wind vector layer was original produced by the MEaSUREs Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform (CCMP) project and derived using satellite inputs coupled with a background analysis wind field from ECMWF to produce a monthly mean wind product that represents inputs of actual observations to represent a continuous observational data record from July 1987 through December 2011. Spatial coverage is global, and extends to approximately 78 degrees North and South latitude.

References: Cross-Calibrated Multi-Platform Ocean Surface Wind Vector L3.5A Monthly First-Look Analyses; Atlas, R., R. N. Hoffman, J. Ardizzone, S. M. Leidner, J. C. Jusem, D. K. Smith, D. Gombos, 2011: A cross-calibrated, multiplatform ocean surface wind velocity product for meteorological and oceanographic applications. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 92, 157-174. doi: 10.1175/2010BAMS2946.1