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 them Japanese Ocean Flux data sets with Use of Remote sensing Observations (J-OFURO). The data sets include shortwave radiation, longwave radiation, latent heat flux, sensible heat flux, and momentum flux etc. This article introduces J-OFURO and 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 used for comparison of zonal wind. The comparison is carried out for a meridional profile along the dateline for January and July 1993. Although the overall spatial variation is common for all the products, there is a large difference between them in places. J-OFURO shortwave radiation in July shows larger meridional contrast than other data sets. On the other hand, J-OFURO underestimates longwave radiation flux at low- and mid-latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. J-OFURO latent heat flux in January overestimates at 10°N-20°N and underestimates at 25°N-40°N. Finally, J-OFURO shows a larger oceanic net heat loss at 10°N-20°N and a smaller loss north of 20°N in January. The data of da Silva et al. in July show small net heat loss around 20°S and large gain around 20°N, while the NCEP reanalysis (NRA) data show the opposite. The da Silva et al. zonal wind speed overestimates at low-latitudes in January, while ECMWF wind data seem to underestimate the easterlies.