Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4879
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4879
15 Oct 2025
 | 15 Oct 2025

Detecting transitions and quantifying differences in two SST datasets using spatial permutation entropy

Juan Gancio, Giulio Tirabassi, Cristina Masoller, and Marcelo Barreiro

Abstract. Weather prediction systems rely on the vast amounts of data continuously generated by Earth modeling and monitoring systems, and efficient data analysis techniques are needed to track changes and compare datasets. Here we show that a nonlinear quantifier, the spatial permutation entropy (SPE), is useful to characterize spatio-temporal complex data, allowing detailed analysis at different scales. Specifically, we use SPE to analyze ERA5 and NOAA OI v2 sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in two key regions, Nino3.4 and Gulf Stream. We perform a quantitative comparison of these two SST products and find that SPE detects differences at short spatial scales (<1 degree). We also identify several transitions, including a transition that occurs in 2007 when ERA5 changed its sea–surface boundary condition to OSTIA, in 2013 when OSTIA updated the background error covariances, and in 2021 when NOAA SST changed satellite, from MeteOp–A to MeteOp–C. We also show that these transitions are not detected by standard distance and cross-correlation methods.

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Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 May 2026
Detecting transitions and quantifying differences in two SST datasets using spatial permutation entropy
Juan Gancio, Giulio Tirabassi, Cristina Masoller, and Marcelo Barreiro
Earth Syst. Dynam., 17, 533–561, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-17-533-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-17-533-2026, 2026
Short summary
Juan Gancio, Giulio Tirabassi, Cristina Masoller, and Marcelo Barreiro

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4879', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Nov 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4879', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Nov 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Juan Gancio, 16 Dec 2025

Interactive discussion

Status: closed

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
  • RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4879', Anonymous Referee #1, 26 Nov 2025
  • RC2: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4879', Anonymous Referee #2, 27 Nov 2025
    • AC2: 'Reply on RC2', Juan Gancio, 16 Dec 2025

Peer review completion

AR – Author's response | RR – Referee report | ED – Editor decision | EF – Editorial file upload
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (18 Dec 2025) by Gabriele Messori
AR by Juan Gancio on behalf of the Authors (20 Jan 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (22 Jan 2026) by Gabriele Messori
RR by Anonymous Referee #2 (02 Feb 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #1 (03 Feb 2026)
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (22 Feb 2026)
ED: Reconsider after major revisions (23 Feb 2026) by Gabriele Messori
AR by Juan Gancio on behalf of the Authors (17 Mar 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Referee Nomination & Report Request started (31 Mar 2026) by Gabriele Messori
RR by Anonymous Referee #3 (14 Apr 2026)
ED: Publish subject to minor revisions (review by editor) (19 Apr 2026) by Gabriele Messori
AR by Juan Gancio on behalf of the Authors (23 Apr 2026)  Author's response   Author's tracked changes   Manuscript 
ED: Publish as is (28 Apr 2026) by Gabriele Messori
AR by Juan Gancio on behalf of the Authors (29 Apr 2026)  Manuscript 

Journal article(s) based on this preprint

12 May 2026
Detecting transitions and quantifying differences in two SST datasets using spatial permutation entropy
Juan Gancio, Giulio Tirabassi, Cristina Masoller, and Marcelo Barreiro
Earth Syst. Dynam., 17, 533–561, https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-17-533-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/esd-17-533-2026, 2026
Short summary
Juan Gancio, Giulio Tirabassi, Cristina Masoller, and Marcelo Barreiro
Juan Gancio, Giulio Tirabassi, Cristina Masoller, and Marcelo Barreiro

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Short summary
In this work, we apply a novel quantifier, the spatial permutation entropy, to sea surface temperatures obtained from two commonly used products: ERA5 and NOAA OI v2. We report small scale differences between these products, as well as persistent trends at the large scale, which could be a consequence of global warming. We also report sudden changes that were not uncovered before, which correlate with different changes in the methodology or data sources of the products.
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