Is the data symmetrical from the Equator? In the ascii format using a 0.5 degree resolution, the yllcorner equals -58 degrees. Since there are 286 rows, this represents a total of 143 degrees. Is the upper left corner then at 85 degrees latitude (-58 + 143)?
Yes, that is exactly correct. We don’t extend the grids to the poles because of the lack of population.