GICE definition



GICE contains monthly mean global ice concentration data on 1 degree grids.

GICE describes data which are derived from Walsh Sea_Ice Concentration data.
Sophisticated statistical methods are used to produce a global coverage of monthly one-degree-area sea-ice coverage: Rayner, N.A, et al 1996. (See ref. 8).

Note that because there are very little ice data (if any) for the period 1871-1900, a climatology of 1901-30 was used to estimate the ice concentrations for 1871-1900.

Ice concentrations are in tenths of gridbox covered with ice (0-9) and the period of the data is January 1871 to January 2003.

For information relative to the file format, please refer to the documentation.