Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-429
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-429
05 Sep 2025
 | 05 Sep 2025
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal ESSD.

New Global Mean Dynamic Topography CNES-CLS-22 Combining Drifters, Hydrography Profiles and High Frequency Radar Data

Solène Jousset, Sandrine Mulet, Eric Greiner, John Wilkin, Lien Vidar, Léon Chafik, Roshin Raj, Antonio Bonaduce, Nicolas Picot, and Gérald Dibarboure

Abstract. The mean dynamic topography (MDT) is a key reference surface for altimetry. It is needed for the calculation of the ocean absolute dynamic topography, and under the geostrophic approximation, the estimation of surface currents. CNES-CLS MDT solutions are calculated by merging information from altimeter data, GRACE, and GOCE gravity field and oceanographic in situ measurements (drifting buoy velocities, High Frequency radar surface velocities, hydrological profiles). The objective of this paper is to present the newly updated CNES-CLS22 MDT. The main improvement of this new CNES-CLS22 MDT over the previous CNES-CLS18 MDT is in the Arctic, with better coverage and a more physical solution (with the disappearance of artifacts from the previous version). This is due to the use of a new first guess estimated with the CNES-CLS22 MSS and the GOCO06s geoid to which optimal filtering has been applied, as well as Lagrangian filtering at the coast to reduce the intensity of currents normal to the coast. Improvements also include updating the drifting buoy and T/S profile databases, and processing to obtain synthetic mean geostrophic velocities and synthetic mean heights. In addition, a new data type, HF radar data, was processed to extract physical content consistent with MDT in the Mid Atlantic Bight of the northeast U.S. coastal region. The study of this region in particular has shown the improvements of the CNES-CLS22 MDT, though there is still work to be done to obtain a more physical solution over the continental shelf. The CNES-CLS22 MDT has been evaluated against independent height and velocity data in comparison with the previous version, the CNES-CLS18. The new solution presents slightly better results, although not identical in all regions of the globe.

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Solène Jousset, Sandrine Mulet, Eric Greiner, John Wilkin, Lien Vidar, Léon Chafik, Roshin Raj, Antonio Bonaduce, Nicolas Picot, and Gérald Dibarboure

Status: open (until 12 Oct 2025)

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Solène Jousset, Sandrine Mulet, Eric Greiner, John Wilkin, Lien Vidar, Léon Chafik, Roshin Raj, Antonio Bonaduce, Nicolas Picot, and Gérald Dibarboure

Data sets

Combined mean dynamic topography - MDT CNES-CLS22 Solène Jousset https://doi.org/10.24400/527896/a01-2023.003

Solène Jousset, Sandrine Mulet, Eric Greiner, John Wilkin, Lien Vidar, Léon Chafik, Roshin Raj, Antonio Bonaduce, Nicolas Picot, and Gérald Dibarboure
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Latest update: 05 Sep 2025
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Short summary
Satellite altimetry has revolutionized ocean observation, making it possible to track sea level with very good spatio-temporal coverage. However, only sea level anomalies are retrieved; to monitor the entire ocean signal, mean dynamic topography (MDT) must be added to these anomalies. In this study, an evaluation of new NES-CLS22 MDT shows significant improvements in the Arctic. Over the globe, this new solution is better than its predecessor, although the two solutions remain close.
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