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National Weather Service Raw Upper Air Observational Data - Individual Flights

NWS Raw UA Obs (RSS) - Individual Flights

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These National Weather Service (NWS) raw upper air data contain individual flight data from sites monthly. Majority are Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS) sites, spanning about 7 to 72 degrees latitude and -171 to 172 degrees longitude. Data go back to 2005 to present operational flights and are packaged monthly. The RRS sites are currently the only ones generating individual flight data packages, each containing a "H" ASCII flight metadata file a "T" ASCII mandatory and significant levels observation file, and a "B" Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data (BUFR) encoded file of one-second resolution data.
These raw observations are inputs to NWS Radiosonde Standard Levels data (DSI 6301), where the data are encoded at each site using the World Meteorological Organization Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data (BUFR) format, then packaged with briefer ASCII formatted flight data and transmitted to NCEI via a push to NCEI's FTP from individual sites.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
  • NCEI DSI 6214_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00966
C00966
XML
Download Data
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Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • BUFR
Ordering InstructionsContact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
DistributorNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period2005-08-01 to Present (time interval: 1-second)
Spatial Reference Systemurn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 71.3
S: -14.3
E: 171.3
W: -170.7
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2005-04
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress StatusOngoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Monthly
PurposeHigh vertical resolution upper air data permits fine-scale analysis of such fundamental atmospheric parameters as temperature, humidity and wind speed. These data also facilitate studies of phenomena with vertical dimensions that span the scales below those of standard radiosonde data resolution: gravity waves, turbulence, tropopause, planetary boundary layer
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Cite as: Lawrimore, Jay; Korzeniewski, Bryant; Hundermark, Bruce. 2022. National Weather Service Radiosonde Raw Incoming Data [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 6214_01. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors
  • Lawrimore, Jay
  • Korzeniewski, Bryant
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/Office of Observations/Surface and Upper Air Division
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/Office of Observations/Surface and Upper Air Division
Principal Investigators
  • Hundermark, Bruce
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Geopotential Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Wind Speed/Wind Direction
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Frequency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Types
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Base Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Fog
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Wind Speed And Direction
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Water Vapour
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Pressure
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Water Vapour
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • RADIOSONDES
  • BALLOONS
Instrument keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • RADIOSONDES
  • RAWINSONDES
  • GPS RECEIVERS
  • APS > Air Pressure Sensor
  • Thermometers
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Guam
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia
Data Resolution keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 1 second - < 1 minute
Stratum keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
Keywords
  • Metadata_Not_Published
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Other ConstraintsCite as: Lawrimore, Jay; Korzeniewski, Bryant; Hundermark, Bruce. 2022. National Weather Service Radiosonde Raw Incoming Data [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. NCEI DSI 6214_01. Accessed [date].
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage StatementData are packaged and uploaded directly from individual upper air sites. Except for verifying readability of the BUFR file and validation of flight date / time and the site's WBAN (Weather Bureau Army Navy) ID, no quality control is performed on the data.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • Raw data, no processing.
Processing EnvironmentData are currently collected from radiosondes using NWS Radiosonde Replacement System (RRS) ground equipment. Other ground equipment may be used in the future. Any post-processing and quality control is performed by the operator using the RRS workstation.
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov