Figure 10 shows SMAP V5.0 L3 and Argo difference statistics in discrete latitude bands. Generally, there are small salinity differences at mid/low latitudes. Strong positive biases (> 1 psu) are observed in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere (higher than 50°N) in the beginning few months of the data record. Smaller positive biases continue after that northward of around 60°N.