Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

This site is currently in beta, and your feedback is helping shape its ongoing development.

OSCAR Sea Surface Velocity, 1/3°, L4, Global, 1992-present, 5 Day Composite

Published by NOAA NMFS SWFSC Environmental Research Division | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce | Metadata Last Checked: January 27, 2026 | Last Modified: 2022-09-03T00:00:00.000+00:00
Ocean Surface Current Analyses Real-time (OSCAR) is a NASA funded research project and global surface current database. OSCAR global ocean surface mixed layer velocities are calculated from satellite-sensed sea surface height gradients, ocean vector winds, and sea surface temperature fields using geostrophy, Ekman, and thermal wind dynamics. OSCAR's continuing improvement depends on better modeling of the momentum transfer both within and across the boundaries of the turbulent mixed layer. A main research objective of the OSCAR project is to improve the generation of surface currents by ocean vector winds, and in doing so further our understanding of the mechanisms behind the transfer of momentum between the atmosphere and the ocean through the planetary boundary layer. Surface currents are provided on global grid every ~5 days, dating from 1992 to present day, with daily updates and near-real-time availability. * Principal Investigator: Kathleen Dohan (kdohan@esr.org). Co-Investigator: Gary Lagerloef (lager@esr.org). * Maximum Mask velocity is the geostrophic component at all points + any concurrent Ekman and buoyancy components. * Longitude extends from 20 E to 420 E to avoid a break in major ocean basins. Data repeats in overlap region.

data.gov

An official website of the GSA's Technology Transformation Services

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov