[CF-metadata] sea_surface_wave_mean_period

From: Jonathan Gregory <j.m.gregory>
Date: Fri, 5 Mar 2010 18:27:07 +0000

Dear Jeff

> We would like to report mean periods without explicitly stating the method
> in the variable name. (We do have a metadata record that states a method
> such as "Longuet-Higgins 1964"; I do not know whether that title implies
> any particular method from the CF list).
>
> May we use sea_surface_wave_mean_period without qualification?

I would say Yes. Standard names are provided with different degrees of
generality for different purposes. If you think that all the data to which
you would give that standard name are the same geophysical quantity, and
it is valid to compare them, even if the methods are different for deriving
them, then it is correct to give them the same standard name.

> More generally, below please find my proposed mapping of our current names
> to existing CF names:
>
> Significant Wave Height = sea_surface_wave_significant_height (m)
> Dominant Wave Period = sea_surface_wave_peak_period (s)
> Average Wave Period = sea_surface_wave_mean_period (s) [*]
> Swell Height = sea_surface_swell_wave_significant_height (m)
> Swell Period = sea_surface_swell_wave_period (s)
> Wind Wave Height = sea_surface_wind_wave_significant_height (m)
> Wind Wave Period = sea_surface_wind_wave_period (s)
> Water Temperature = sea_water_temperature (C)
> Mean Wave Direction at Peak Period = sea_surface_wave_to_direction (degree)
> [**]
> Swell Wave Direction = sea_surface_swell_wave_to_direction (degree)
> Wind Wave Direction = sea_surface_wind_wave_to_direction (degree)

These mappings look right to me, but I am not an expert on these quantities
myself.

Best wishes

Jonathan
Received on Fri Mar 05 2010 - 11:27:07 GMT