diff --git a/doc/source/index.rst b/doc/source/index.rst
index 5d7da435c2..2a7d37e950 100644
--- a/doc/source/index.rst
+++ b/doc/source/index.rst
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ the base Satpy installation.
       - `slstr_l1b`
       - In development
     * - OSISAF SST data in GHRSST (netcdf) format
-      - `ghrsst_l3c_sst`
+      - `ghrsst_l2`
       - In development
     * - NUCAPS EDR Retrieval in NetCDF4 format
       - `nucaps`
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ the base Satpy installation.
       - `glm_l2`
       - Beta
     * - Sentinel-3 SLSTR SST data in NetCDF4 format
-      - `slstr_l2`
+      - `ghrsst_l2`
       - Beta
     * - IASI level 2 SO2 in BUFR format
       - `iasi_l2_so2_bufr`
diff --git a/satpy/composites/__init__.py b/satpy/composites/__init__.py
index b81014dfca..a8cec78efc 100644
--- a/satpy/composites/__init__.py
+++ b/satpy/composites/__init__.py
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-# Copyright (c) 2015-2020 Satpy developers
+# Copyright (c) 2015-2022 Satpy developers
 #
 # This file is part of satpy.
 #
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ def build_colormap(palette, dtype, info):
         Colormaps come in different forms, but they are all supposed to have
         color values between 0 and 255. The following cases are considered:
 
-        - Palettes comprised of only a list on colors. If *dtype* is uint8,
+        - Palettes comprised of only a list of colors. If *dtype* is uint8,
           the values of the colormap are the enumeration of the colors.
           Otherwise, the colormap values will be spread evenly from the min
           to the max of the valid_range provided in `info`.
diff --git a/satpy/etc/readers/ghrsst_l2.yaml b/satpy/etc/readers/ghrsst_l2.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0fbcf3a4b6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/satpy/etc/readers/ghrsst_l2.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+reader:
+  description: NC Reader for GHRSST Level 2 data
+  name: ghrsst_l2
+  sensors: ['slstr', 'avhrr/3', 'viirs']
+  default_channels: []
+  reader: !!python/name:satpy.readers.yaml_reader.FileYAMLReader
+
+file_types:
+    GHRSST_OSISAF:
+        file_reader: !!python/name:satpy.readers.ghrsst_l2.GHRSSTL2FileHandler
+        # S-OSI_-FRA_-NPP_-NARSST_FIELD-202010141300Z.nc
+        file_patterns: ['S-OSI_-{generating_centre:4s}-{satid:s}-{field_type:s}_FIELD-{valid_time:%Y%m%d%H%M}Z.nc']
+
+    SLSTR:
+        file_reader: !!python/name:satpy.readers.ghrsst_l2.GHRSSTL2FileHandler
+        file_patterns: ['{dt1:%Y%m%d%H%M%S}-{generating_centre:3s}-{type_id:3s}_GHRSST-SSTskin-SLSTR{something:1s}-{dt2:%Y%m%d%H%M%S}-{version}.nc',
+        '{mission_id:3s}_SL_{processing_level:1s}_WST____{start_time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%S}_{end_time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%S}_{creation_time:%Y%m%dT%H%M%S}_{duration:4d}_{cycle:3d}_{relative_orbit:3d}_{frame:4s}_{centre:3s}_{mode:1s}_{timeliness:2s}_{collection:3s}.SEN3.tar']
+
+datasets:
+  # SLSTR SST and Sea Ice products
+  longitude_slstr:
+    name: longitude_slstr
+    resolution: 1000
+    view: nadir
+    file_type: SLSTR
+    standard_name: lon
+    units: degree
+
+  latitude_slstr:
+    name: latitude_slstr
+    resolution: 1000
+    view: nadir
+    file_type: SLSTR
+    standard_name: lat
+    units: degree
+
+  sea_surface_temperature_slstr:
+    name: sea_surface_temperature
+    sensor: slstr
+    coordinates: [longitude_slstr, latitude_slstr]
+    file_type: SLSTR
+    resolution: 1000
+    view: nadir
+    units: kelvin
+    standard_name: sea_surface_temperature
+
+  sea_ice_fraction_slstr:
+    name: sea_ice_fraction
+    sensor: slstr
+    coordinates: [longitude_slstr, latitude_slstr]
+    file_type: SLSTR
+    resolution: 1000
+    view: nadir
+    units: "%"
+    standard_name: sea_ice_fraction
+
+  # Quality estimation 0-5: no data, cloud, worst, low, acceptable, best
+  quality_level_slstr:
+    name: quality_level
+    sensor: slstr
+    coordinates: [longitude_slstr, latitude_slstr]
+    file_type: SLSTR
+    resolution: 1000
+    view: nadir
+    standard_name: quality_level
+
+
+  # OSISAF SST:
+  longitude_osisaf:
+    name: longitude_osisaf
+    resolution: 2000
+    file_type: GHRSST_OSISAF
+    standard_name: lon
+    units: degree
+
+  latitude_osisaf:
+    name: latitude_osisaf
+    resolution: 2000
+    file_type: GHRSST_OSISAF
+    standard_name: lat
+    units: degree
+
+  sea_surface_temperature_osisaf:
+    name: sea_surface_temperature
+    coordinates: [longitude_osisaf, latitude_osisaf]
+    file_type: GHRSST_OSISAF
+    resolution: 2000
+    units: kelvin
+    standard_name: sea_surface_temperature
+
+  sea_ice_fraction_osisaf:
+    name: sea_ice_fraction
+    coordinates: [longitude_osisaf, latitude_osisaf]
+    file_type: GHRSST_OSISAF
+    resolution: 2000
+    units: "%"
+    standard_name: sea_ice_fraction
diff --git a/satpy/etc/readers/ghrsst_l3c_sst.yaml b/satpy/etc/readers/ghrsst_l3c_sst.yaml
deleted file mode 100644
index fd3ada064f..0000000000
--- a/satpy/etc/readers/ghrsst_l3c_sst.yaml
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,17 +0,0 @@
-reader:
-  description: OSISAF SST GHRSST netCDF reader
-  name: ghrsst_l3c_sst
-  reader: !!python/name:satpy.readers.yaml_reader.FileYAMLReader
-  sensors: [avhrr/3, viirs]
-
-datasets:
-
-  sea_surface_temperature:
-    name: sea_surface_temperature
-    file_type: ghrsst_osisaf_l2
-    resolution: 1000
-
-file_types:
-  ghrsst_osisaf_l2:
-    file_reader: !!python/name:satpy.readers.ghrsst_l3c_sst.GHRSST_OSISAFL2
-    file_patterns: ['S-OSI_-FRA_-{satid:3s}_-NARSST_FIELD-{start_time:%Y%m%d%H00}Z.nc']
diff --git a/satpy/readers/ghrsst_l2.py b/satpy/readers/ghrsst_l2.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..dde3ce7a71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/satpy/readers/ghrsst_l2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,97 @@
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright (c) 2017 - 2022 Satpy developers
+#
+# This file is part of Satpy.
+#
+# satpy is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
+# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+# Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
+# version.
+#
+# satpy is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
+# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
+# satpy.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""Reader for the GHRSST level-2 formatted data."""
+
+import os
+import tarfile
+from contextlib import suppress
+from datetime import datetime
+from functools import cached_property
+
+import xarray as xr
+
+from satpy import CHUNK_SIZE
+from satpy.readers.file_handlers import BaseFileHandler
+
+
+class GHRSSTL2FileHandler(BaseFileHandler):
+    """File handler for GHRSST L2 netCDF files."""
+
+    def __init__(self, filename, filename_info, filetype_info, engine=None):
+        """Initialize the file handler for GHRSST L2 netCDF data."""
+        super().__init__(filename, filename_info, filetype_info)
+        self._engine = engine
+        self._tarfile = None
+
+        self.filename_info['start_time'] = datetime.strptime(
+            self.nc.start_time, '%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ')
+        self.filename_info['end_time'] = datetime.strptime(
+            self.nc.stop_time, '%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ')
+
+    @cached_property
+    def nc(self):
+        """Get the xarray Dataset for the filename."""
+        if os.fspath(self.filename).endswith('tar'):
+            file_obj = self._open_tarfile()
+        else:
+            file_obj = self.filename
+
+        nc = xr.open_dataset(file_obj,
+                             decode_cf=True,
+                             mask_and_scale=True,
+                             engine=self._engine,
+                             chunks={'ni': CHUNK_SIZE,
+                                     'nj': CHUNK_SIZE})
+
+        return nc.rename({'ni': 'x', 'nj': 'y'})
+
+    def _open_tarfile(self):
+        self._tarfile = tarfile.open(name=self.filename, mode='r')
+        sst_filename = next((name for name in self._tarfile.getnames()
+                             if self._is_sst_file(name)))
+        file_obj = self._tarfile.extractfile(sst_filename)
+        return file_obj
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _is_sst_file(name):
+        """Check if file in the tar archive is a valid SST file."""
+        return name.endswith('nc') and 'GHRSST-SSTskin' in name
+
+    def get_dataset(self, key, info):
+        """Get any available dataset."""
+        stdname = info.get('standard_name')
+        return self.nc[stdname].squeeze()
+
+    @property
+    def start_time(self):
+        """Get start time."""
+        return self.filename_info['start_time']
+
+    @property
+    def end_time(self):
+        """Get end time."""
+        return self.filename_info['end_time']
+
+    @property
+    def sensor(self):
+        """Get the sensor name."""
+        return self.nc.attrs['sensor'].lower()
+
+    def __del__(self):
+        """Close the tarfile object."""
+        with suppress(AttributeError):
+            self._tarfile.close()
diff --git a/satpy/readers/slstr_l2.py b/satpy/readers/slstr_l2.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 8a23947ef3..0000000000
--- a/satpy/readers/slstr_l2.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,77 +0,0 @@
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-# Copyright (c) 2017 Satpy developers
-#
-# This file is part of satpy.
-#
-# satpy is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
-# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
-# Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
-# version.
-#
-# satpy is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
-# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR
-# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
-#
-# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
-# satpy.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-"""Reader for Sentinel-3 SLSTR SST data."""
-
-from datetime import datetime
-
-import xarray as xr
-
-from satpy import CHUNK_SIZE
-from satpy.readers.file_handlers import BaseFileHandler
-
-
-class SLSTRL2FileHandler(BaseFileHandler):
-    """File handler for Sentinel-3 SSL L2 netCDF files."""
-
-    def __init__(self, filename, filename_info, filetype_info, engine=None):
-        """Initialize the file handler for Sentinel-3 SSL L2 netCDF data."""
-        super(SLSTRL2FileHandler, self).__init__(filename, filename_info, filetype_info)
-
-        if filename.endswith('tar'):
-            import os
-            import tarfile
-            import tempfile
-            with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tempdir:
-                with tarfile.open(name=filename, mode='r') as tf:
-                    sst_filename = next((name for name in tf.getnames()
-                                        if name.endswith('nc') and 'GHRSST-SSTskin' in name))
-                    tf.extract(sst_filename, tempdir)
-                    fullpath = os.path.join(tempdir, sst_filename)
-                    self.nc = xr.open_dataset(fullpath,
-                                              decode_cf=True,
-                                              mask_and_scale=True,
-                                              engine=engine,
-                                              chunks={'ni': CHUNK_SIZE,
-                                                      'nj': CHUNK_SIZE})
-        else:
-            self.nc = xr.open_dataset(filename,
-                                      decode_cf=True,
-                                      mask_and_scale=True,
-                                      engine=engine,
-                                      chunks={'ni': CHUNK_SIZE,
-                                              'nj': CHUNK_SIZE})
-
-        self.nc = self.nc.rename({'ni': 'x', 'nj': 'y'})
-        self.filename_info['start_time'] = datetime.strptime(
-            self.nc.start_time, '%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ')
-        self.filename_info['end_time'] = datetime.strptime(
-            self.nc.stop_time, '%Y%m%dT%H%M%SZ')
-
-    def get_dataset(self, key, info):
-        """Get any available dataset."""
-        stdname = info.get('standard_name')
-        return self.nc[stdname].squeeze()
-
-    @property
-    def start_time(self):
-        """Get start time."""
-        return self.filename_info['start_time']
-
-    @property
-    def end_time(self):
-        """Get end time."""
-        return self.filename_info['end_time']
diff --git a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_ghrsst_l2.py b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_ghrsst_l2.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e33cec467a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_ghrsst_l2.py
@@ -0,0 +1,152 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+# Copyright (c) 2018, 2022 Satpy developers
+#
+# This file is part of satpy.
+#
+# satpy is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
+# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
+# Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
+# version.
+#
+# satpy is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
+# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR
+# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+#
+# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
+# satpy.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+"""Module for testing the satpy.readers.ghrsst_l2 module."""
+
+import os
+import tarfile
+from datetime import datetime
+from pathlib import Path
+
+import numpy as np
+import pytest
+import xarray as xr
+
+from satpy.readers.ghrsst_l2 import GHRSSTL2FileHandler
+
+
+class TestGHRSSTL2Reader:
+    """Test Sentinel-3 SST L2 reader."""
+
+    def setup_method(self, tmp_path):
+        """Create a fake osisaf ghrsst dataset."""
+        self.base_data = np.array(([-32768, 1135, 1125], [1138, 1128, 1080]))
+        self.lon_data = np.array(([-13.43, 1.56, 11.25], [-11.38, 1.28, 10.80]))
+        self.lat_data = np.array(([43.43, 55.56, 61.25], [41.38, 50.28, 60.80]))
+        self.lon = xr.DataArray(
+            self.lon_data,
+            dims=('nj', 'ni'),
+            attrs={'standard_name': 'longitude',
+                   'units': 'degrees_east',
+                   }
+        )
+        self.lat = xr.DataArray(
+            self.lat_data,
+            dims=('nj', 'ni'),
+            attrs={'standard_name': 'latitude',
+                   'units': 'degrees_north',
+                   }
+        )
+        self.sst = xr.DataArray(
+            self.base_data,
+            dims=('nj', 'ni'),
+            attrs={'scale_factor': 0.01, 'add_offset': 273.15,
+                   '_FillValue': -32768, 'units': 'kelvin',
+                   }
+        )
+        self.fake_dataset = xr.Dataset(
+            data_vars={
+                'sea_surface_temperature': self.sst,
+                'longitude': self.lon,
+                'latitude': self.lat,
+            },
+            attrs={
+                "start_time": "20220321T112640Z",
+                "stop_time": "20220321T145711Z",
+                "platform": 'NOAA20',
+                "sensor": "VIIRS",
+            },
+        )
+
+    def _create_tarfile_with_testdata(self, mypath):
+        """Create a 'fake' testdata set in a tar file."""
+        slstr_fakename = "S3A_SL_2_WST_MAR_O_NR_003.SEN3"
+        tarfile_fakename = "S3A_SL_2_WST_MAR_O_NR_003.SEN3.tar"
+
+        slstrdir = mypath / slstr_fakename
+        slstrdir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        tarfile_path = mypath / tarfile_fakename
+
+        ncfilename = slstrdir / 'L2P_GHRSST-SSTskin-202204131200.nc'
+        self.fake_dataset.to_netcdf(os.fspath(ncfilename))
+        xmlfile_path = slstrdir / 'xfdumanifest.xml'
+        xmlfile_path.touch()
+
+        with tarfile.open(name=tarfile_path, mode='w') as tar:
+            tar.add(os.fspath(ncfilename), arcname=Path(slstr_fakename) / ncfilename.name)
+            tar.add(os.fspath(xmlfile_path), arcname=Path(slstr_fakename) / xmlfile_path.name)
+
+        return tarfile_path
+
+    def test_instantiate_single_netcdf_file(self, tmp_path):
+        """Test initialization of file handlers - given a single netCDF file."""
+        filename_info = {}
+        tmp_filepath = tmp_path / 'fake_dataset.nc'
+        self.fake_dataset.to_netcdf(os.fspath(tmp_filepath))
+
+        GHRSSTL2FileHandler(os.fspath(tmp_filepath), filename_info, None)
+
+    def test_instantiate_tarfile(self, tmp_path):
+        """Test initialization of file handlers - given a tar file as in the case of the SAFE format."""
+        filename_info = {}
+        tarfile_path = self._create_tarfile_with_testdata(tmp_path)
+
+        GHRSSTL2FileHandler(os.fspath(tarfile_path), filename_info, None)
+
+    def test_get_dataset(self, tmp_path):
+        """Test retrieval of datasets."""
+        filename_info = {}
+        tmp_filepath = tmp_path / 'fake_dataset.nc'
+        self.fake_dataset.to_netcdf(os.fspath(tmp_filepath))
+
+        test = GHRSSTL2FileHandler(os.fspath(tmp_filepath), filename_info, None)
+
+        test.get_dataset('longitude', {'standard_name': 'longitude'})
+        test.get_dataset('latitude', {'standard_name': 'latitude'})
+        test.get_dataset('sea_surface_temperature', {'standard_name': 'sea_surface_temperature'})
+
+        with pytest.raises(KeyError):
+            test.get_dataset('erroneous dataset', {'standard_name': 'erroneous dataset'})
+
+    def test_get_sensor(self, tmp_path):
+        """Test retrieval of the sensor name from the netCDF file."""
+        dt_valid = datetime(2022, 3, 21, 11, 26, 40)  # 202203211200Z
+        filename_info = {'field_type': 'NARSST', 'generating_centre': 'FRA_',
+                         'satid': 'NOAA20_', 'valid_time': dt_valid}
+
+        tmp_filepath = tmp_path / 'fake_dataset.nc'
+        self.fake_dataset.to_netcdf(os.fspath(tmp_filepath))
+
+        test = GHRSSTL2FileHandler(os.fspath(tmp_filepath), filename_info, None)
+        assert test.sensor == 'viirs'
+
+    def test_get_start_and_end_times(self, tmp_path):
+        """Test retrieval of the sensor name from the netCDF file."""
+        dt_valid = datetime(2022, 3, 21, 11, 26, 40)  # 202203211200Z
+        good_start_time = datetime(2022, 3, 21, 11, 26, 40)  # 20220321T112640Z
+        good_stop_time = datetime(2022, 3, 21, 14, 57, 11)  # 20220321T145711Z
+
+        filename_info = {'field_type': 'NARSST', 'generating_centre': 'FRA_',
+                         'satid': 'NOAA20_', 'valid_time': dt_valid}
+
+        tmp_filepath = tmp_path / 'fake_dataset.nc'
+        self.fake_dataset.to_netcdf(os.fspath(tmp_filepath))
+
+        test = GHRSSTL2FileHandler(os.fspath(tmp_filepath), filename_info, None)
+
+        assert test.start_time == good_start_time
+        assert test.end_time == good_stop_time
diff --git a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_slstr_l2.py b/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_slstr_l2.py
deleted file mode 100644
index 5330a10e3e..0000000000
--- a/satpy/tests/reader_tests/test_slstr_l2.py
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,69 +0,0 @@
-#!/usr/bin/env python
-# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
-# Copyright (c) 2018 Satpy developers
-#
-# This file is part of satpy.
-#
-# satpy is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the
-# terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software
-# Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later
-# version.
-#
-# satpy is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY
-# WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR
-# A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License for more details.
-#
-# You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with
-# satpy.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
-"""Module for testing the satpy.readers.slstr_l2 module."""
-
-import unittest
-from unittest import mock
-from unittest.mock import MagicMock, patch
-
-import xarray as xr
-
-from satpy.readers.slstr_l2 import SLSTRL2FileHandler
-
-
-class TestSLSTRL2Reader(unittest.TestCase):
-    """Test Sentinel-3 SST L2 reader."""
-
-    @mock.patch('xarray.open_dataset')
-    def test_instantiate(self, mocked_dataset):
-        """Test initialization of file handlers."""
-        filename_info = {}
-        tmp = MagicMock(start_time='20191120T125002Z', stop_time='20191120T125002Z')
-        tmp.rename.return_value = tmp
-        xr.open_dataset.return_value = tmp
-        SLSTRL2FileHandler('somedir/somefile.nc', filename_info, None)
-        mocked_dataset.assert_called()
-        mocked_dataset.reset_mock()
-
-        with patch('tarfile.open') as tf:
-            tf.return_value.__enter__.return_value = MagicMock(getnames=lambda *a: ["GHRSST-SSTskin.nc"])
-            SLSTRL2FileHandler('somedir/somefile.tar', filename_info, None)
-        mocked_dataset.assert_called()
-        mocked_dataset.reset_mock()
-
-    @mock.patch('xarray.open_dataset')
-    def test_get_dataset(self, mocked_dataset):
-        """Test retrieval of datasets."""
-        filename_info = {}
-        tmp = MagicMock(start_time='20191120T125002Z', stop_time='20191120T125002Z')
-        tmp.rename.return_value = tmp
-        xr.open_dataset.return_value = tmp
-        test = SLSTRL2FileHandler('somedir/somefile.nc', filename_info, None)
-        test.nc = {'longitude': xr.Dataset(),
-                   'latitude': xr.Dataset(),
-                   'sea_surface_temperature': xr.Dataset(),
-                   'sea_ice_fraction': xr.Dataset(),
-                   }
-        test.get_dataset('longitude', {'standard_name': 'longitude'})
-        test.get_dataset('latitude', {'standard_name': 'latitude'})
-        test.get_dataset('sea_surface_temperature', {'standard_name': 'sea_surface_temperature'})
-        test.get_dataset('sea_ice_fraction', {'standard_name': 'sea_ice_fraction'})
-        with self.assertRaises(KeyError):
-            test.get_dataset('erroneous dataset', {'standard_name': 'erroneous dataset'})
-        mocked_dataset.assert_called()
-        mocked_dataset.reset_mock()