authority: gcos
slug: surface-air-temperature
name: Surface Air Temperature
domain: atmosphere
subdomain: surface
authority_id: gcos:surface-air-temperature
external_ids:
  nvs_uri: http://vocab.nerc.ac.uk/collection/P07/current/CFSN0023/
  cf_standard_name: air_temperature
  iadopt_concepts:
    property: temperature
    entity: air
canonical_units: K
gcos_requirement_tier:
  threshold: null
  breakthrough: null
  goal: null
description: |
  Temperature of the air near the surface, conventionally measured at 1.25-2 m
  above ground over land and at standard heights over ocean. A core climate
  indicator and the most widely used variable for tracking global warming.
theme: weather
demos: []
status: documented
sources:
  - https://gcos.wmo.int/site/global-climate-observing-system-gcos/essential-climate-variables/surface-temperature