MERRA-2 tavgM_2d_rad_Nx: 2d,Monthly mean,Time-Averaged,Single-Level,Assimilation,Radiation Diagnostics 0.625 x 0.5 degree V5.12.4 (M2TMNXRAD) at GES DISC

M2TMNXRAD (or tavgM_2d_rad_Nx) is a time-averaged 2-dimensional monthly mean data collection in Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2). This collection consists of radiation diagnostics, such as surface albedo, cloud area fraction, in cloud optical thickness, surface incoming shortwave flux (i.e. solar radiation), surface net downward shortwave flux, and upwelling longwave flux at toa (top of atmosphere) (i.e. outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) at toa). The collection also includes variance of certain parameters. MERRA-2 is the latest version of global atmospheric reanalysis for the satellite era produced by NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) using the Goddard Earth Observing System Model (GEOS) version 5.12.4. The dataset covers the period of 1980-present with the latency of ~3 weeks after the end of a month. Data Reprocessing: Please check “Records of MERRA-2 Data Reprocessing and Service Changes” linked from the “Documentation” tab on this page. Note that a reprocessed data filename is different from the original file. MERRA-2 Mailing List: Sign up to receive information on reprocessing of data, changing of tools and services, as well as data announcements from GMAO. Contact the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov) to be added to the list. Questions: If you have a question, please read "MERRA-2 File Specification Document", “MERRA-2 Data Access – Quick Start Guide”, and FAQs linked from the ”Documentation” tab on this page. If that does not answer your question, you may post your question to the NASA Earthdata Forum (forum.earthdata.nasa.gov) or email the GES DISC Help Desk (gsfc-dl-help-disc@mail.nasa.gov).

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field	Value
Maintainer	Earthdata Forum
Last Updated	May 11, 2026, 20:57 (UTC)
Created	April 1, 2025, 17:17 (UTC)
accessLevel	public
bureauCode	{026:00}
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harvest_source_id	b99e41c6-fe79-4c19-bbc3-9b6c8111bfac
harvest_source_title	Science Discovery Engine
identifier	10.5067/OU3HJDS973O0
license	https://www.usa.gov/government-works
modified	2026-05-04T22:16:00Z
programCode	{026:000}
publisher	NASA/GSFC/SED/ESD/TISL/GESDISC
resource-type	Dataset
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source_hash	d13f3b33b2498071fb44e8b76e44de81b222ac5a9cd1f94a9ce242e2a4cab15c
source_schema_version	1.1
spatial	["CARTESIAN",[{"WestBoundingCoordinate":-180,"NorthBoundingCoordinate":90,"EastBoundingCoordinate":180,"SouthBoundingCoordinate":-90}]]
temporal	1980-01-01/2026-05-04
theme	{"Earth Science"}