10. AIRCRAFT OBSERVATION FILES

05 NOV 1997









UPPER AIR DATASETS









1. AIRCRAFT OBSERVATION FILES







1. 1 Preface.





Data item definitions for items are provided at the end of this preface, providing definition of data

items, position number for mandatory data items, field lengths for variable data items, minimum/maximum

values of data, and values for missing data items.





1.2 Data Sequence.





Data will be sequenced using the following data item order:

1. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION date

2. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION time

3. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION latitude coordinate

4. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION longitude coordinate



1.3 Record Structure.



Each record is of variable length and is comprised of a mandatory data section and may also

contain an additional and remarks data sections.





1.4 Mandatory Data Section.





The beginning of each record provides information about the report including date, time, and

observation location information. Data items transmitted will use positions identified in the applicable data item

definition. The mandatory data section is 79 characters long.





1.5 Additonal Data Section.





Additional data is provided after the mandatory data. This data contains information of significance

and/or which are received with a high degree of frequency. Group indicators are used to note when data is

present. If all data items in a group are missing, the entire group is not reported. If no groups are reported the

section is omitted The additonal data section is of variable length with a minimum lenght of 0 and a maximum

length of 163 (160 characters plus a 3 character section identifier) characters.





1.6 Remarks Data Section.





The non-decodable (remarks) data items are provided if they exist. The remarks data section is

variable in length with a minimum of 0 characters and a maximum of 253 (250 characters plus a 3 character

section identifier) characters.





1.7 Missing Values.





Missing values for any non-signed item are filled ( i.e., 999). Missing values for any signed item are

positive filled (i.e., +99999).





1.8 Longitude and Latitude Coordinates.





Longitudes will be reported with negative values representing longitudes west of 0 degrees,









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05 NOV 1997





and latitudes will be negative south of the equator





1.9 Aircraft Observation Files Data Item Definitions.







*************************************************************

Mandatory Data Section

*************************************************************





POS: 1-4

TOTAL RECORD LENGTH

The total record character count to include additional data and remarks sections.

Cannot equal 9999 = missing.



POS: 5-7

ADDITIONAL DATA COUNT

The total character count of the additional data section of the record to include

non-decodable (remarks) section of the record.

Cannot equal 999 = missing.



POS: 8-10

REMARKS LENGTH

The total character count of the remarks section of the record.

Cannot equal 999 = missing.



POS: 11-16

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION latitude coordinate

The latitude coordinate of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION.

Latitude is positive northward and negative southward from the equator.

MIN: -90000 MAX: +90000 UNITS: Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1000

+99999 = missing



POS: 17-23

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION longitude coordinate

The longitude coordinate of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION. Longitude is positive

eastward and negative westward from the prime meridian.

MIN: -179999 MAX: +180000 UNITS: Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1000

+999999 = missing



POS: 24-31

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION date

The date of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION. Date comprised of the integer values

0-9 in the format YYYYMMDD. YYYY can be any positive integer value; MM is restricted to

values 01-12; and DD is restricted to values 01-31.

MIN: 00000101 MAX: 99991231



POS: 32-35

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION time

The time of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION. A general domain comprised of the

integer values (0-9) in the format HHMM. HH is restricted to the values 00-23; MM is restricted

to the values 00-59.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2359



POS: 36-40

GEOPHYSICAL-REPORT-TYPE code

The code that denotes the type of geophysical observation and forecast.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

RECCO = Aircraft Reconnaissance Report

AIREP = Aircraft Report

ASDAR = Aircraft-Satellite Data Acquisition Radar Report (IN AIREP FORMAT)

PIREP = Pilot Report

99999 = Missing

POS: 41-45

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION elevation dimension

The elevation of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION relative to a







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05 NOV 1997





stated VERTICAL-REFERENCE-DATUM. This attribute can equal 99999 for missing.

MIN: 00000 MAX: 99998 UNITS: Meters



POS: 46-51

AIRCRAFT IDENTIFICATION-NUMBER identifier

The unique value, or set of characters, assigned to represent the tail, side, base or top (bort),

or wing number of an individual aircraft.

This attribute can equal 999999 = Missing.



POS: 52-54

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL direction angle

The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction from which

the wind is blowing at a level in the atmosphere. This attribute can equal 999 = Missing.

MIN: 001 MAX: 360 UNITS: Degrees true



POS: 55-55

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL type code

The code that denotes the characteristics of the wind observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of ASCII characters and a 9.

C = Calm wind

N = Normal

V = Variable wind

9 = Missing



POS: 56-59

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL speed rate

The rate that represents the measured speed of the wind at a level in the atmosphere. This

attribute can equal 9999 = Missing.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: Meters per second

SCALING FACTOR: 10



POS: 60-65

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL height dimension

The geopotential height of an ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

This attribute can equal +99999 = Missing.

MIN: -00400 MAX: +99998 UNITS: Geopotential meters



POS: 66-66

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL reporting code

The code that denotes the method for reporting the ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-

OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-2) and a 9.

0 = Height at pressure level

1 = Departure from standard atmosphere height

2 = Nearest standard isobaric level for surface station

9 = Missing



POS: 67-71

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL air temperature

The temperature of the air at an AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

This attribute can equal +9999 = Missing.

MIN: -1100 MAX: +0630 UNITS: degrees Celsius

SCALING FACTOR: 10



POS: 72-76

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL dew point temperature

The temperature, at a level in the atmosphere, to which a given parcel of air must be

cooled at constant pressure and water vapor content in order for saturation to occur.

This attribute can equal +9999 = Missing.

MIN: -1100 MAX: +0630 UNITS: degrees Celsius

SCALING FACTOR: 10



POS: 77-77

AIRCRAFT-TURBULENCE-OBSERVATION frequency code

The code that denotes the rate of occurrence of turbulence reported by an aircraft.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-5) and a 9.

1 = Infrequent

2 = Frequent

3 = Occasional

4 = Intermittent







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05 NOV 1997





5 = Continuous

9 = Missing



POS: 78-78

AIRCRAFT-TURBULENCE-OBSERVATION intensity code

The code that denotes the intensity of turbulence reported by an aircraft.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-7) and a 9.

0 = None

1 = Light

2 = Light to Moderate

3 = Moderate

4 = Moderate to Severe

5 = Severe

6 = Severe to Extreme

7 = Extreme

9 = Missing



POS: 79-79

AIRCRAFT-TURBULENCE-OBSERVATION type code

The code that denotes the type of turbulence reported by an aircraft.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-2) and a 9.

1 = In cloud

2 = Clear Air Turbulence

9 = Missing





*************************************************************

Additional Data Section

*************************************************************



FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION additional data identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the additional data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

ADD = Additional Data Section





The fields following may be part of reoccurring groups.



FLD LEN: 3

FLIGHT-WEATHER identifier

The identifier that denotes the availability of flight weather data.

This data group may appear 0 or once per observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

AW1 = In-Flight and Off-Course Additional Data and includes the following fields:

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION contrail persistence code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION cloud condition code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION horizontal visibility code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION present weather code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION present weather

precipitation code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION significant weather change code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION significant weather distance code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION off course weather code

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION off course weather bearing code



FLD LEN: 1

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION contrail persistence code

The code that denotes the persistence of a contrail.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-2) and a 9.

0 = None

1 = Not persistent

2 = Persistent

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION cloud condition code

The code that denotes the general cloud conditions at flight level.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).









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05 NOV 1997





00 = Total cloud amount less than 1 okta

01 = Total cloud amount of at least 1 okta, with either 1 to 4 oktas above or below, or a

combination of both

02 = Cloud amount more than 4 oktas above and 0 to 4 oktas below

03 = Cloud amount 0 to 4 oktas above and more than 4 oktas below

04 = Cloud amount of more than 4 oktas above and below

05 = Chaotic sky (many undefined layers)

06 = In and out of clouds, on instruments 25% of time

07 = In and out of clouds, on instruments 50% of time

08 = In and out of clouds, on instruments 75% of time

09 = In clouds all of the time, continuous instrument flight

10 = Clear

11 = Above clouds (tops less than 3000 meters)

12 = Above clouds (tops 3000 - 5500 meters)

13 = Above clouds (tops above 5500 meters)

14 = Below clouds (bases less than 3000 meters)

15 = Below clouds (bases 3000 - 5500 meters)

16 = Below clouds (bases above 5500 meters)

17 = Between broken or overcast layers

18 = In clouds

19 = In and out of clouds

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION horizontal visibility code

The code that denotes the horizontal visibility range at flight level.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character (1-3) and a 9.

1 = Poor (less than 1.85 kilometers)

2 = Fair (1.85 to 5.5 kilometers)

3 = Good (greater than 5.5 kilometers)

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION present weather code

The code that denotes the atmospheric phenomena occurring at flight level.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).

00 = Clear (at least at flight level)

01 = Partly cloudy (scattered or broken cloud amounts)

02 = Continuous layer or layers of clouds

03 = Sandstorm, duststorm

04 = Fog, thick dust or haze

05 = Drizzle

06 = Rain

07 = Snow or rain and snow mixed

08 = Showers

09 = Thunderstorms

10 = Lightning

11 = Scattered clouds

12 = Broken clouds

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION present weather precipitation code

The code that denotes the general nature of precipitation occurring at flight level.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).

0 = Light intermittent

1 = Light continuous

2 = Moderate intermittent

3 = Moderate continuous

4 = Heavy intermittent

5 = Heavy continuous

6 = With rain

7 = With snow

8 = With hail

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION significant weather change code

The code that denotes a significant change in the weather observed from an aircraft in-flight.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).







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05 NOV 1997





00 = No change

01 = Marked wind shift

02 = Beginning or ending of marked turbulence

03 = Marked temperature change (not with altitude)

04 = Precipitation begins or ends

05 = Change in cloud forms

06 = Fog or ice fog bank begins or ends

07 = Warm front

08 = Cold front

09 = Front, type not specified

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION significant weather distance code

The code that denotes the position of an aircraft relative to an observation of a significant change

in the weather.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-9).

01 = Previous position

02 = Present position

03 = 30 nautical miles

04 = 60 nautical miles

05 = 90 nautical miles

06 = 120 nautical miles

07 = 150 nautical miles

08 = 180 nautical miles

09 = Greater than 180 nautical miles

10 = Unknown

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION off-course weather code

The code that denotes a significant off-course weather occurrence viewable from an aircraft in-

flight.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-9).

01 = Signs of tropical cyclone

02 = Ugly, threatening sky

03 = Duststorm or sandstorm

04 = Fog or ice fog

05 = Waterspout

06 = Cirrostratus layer or bank

07 = Altostratus or altocumulus layer or bank

08 = Line of heavy cumulus or towering cumulus

09 = Cumulonimbus heads or thunderstorms

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

FLIGHT-WEATHER-CONDITION-OBSERVATION off course weather bearing code

The code that denotes the direction of a significant weather occurrence viewable from an aircraft

in-flight.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-9).

01 = Northeast

02 = East

03 = Southeast

04 = South

05 = Southwest

06 = West

07 = Northwest

08 = North

09 = All directions

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)

*****************************************************************



FLD LEN: 3

SKY-COVER-LAYER identifier

Indicates cloud data. This data group may be repeated.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

GA1 = first layer

GA2 = second layer

GA3 = third layer

GA4 = fourth layer







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Each layer contains the following attributes:

SKY-COVER-LAYER coverage code

SKY-COVER-LAYER cloud type code

SKY-COVER-LAYER base height dimension

SKY-COVER-LAYER top height dimension



FLD LEN: 2

SKY-COVER-LAYER coverage code

The code that denotes the fraction of the total celestial dome covered by a SKY-COVER-

LAYER.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

00 = None, SKC or CLR

01 = One okta or less, but not 0, 1/10 or less, but not 0

02 = Two oktas, 2/10 - 3/10 or FEW

03 = Three oktas, 4/10

04 = Four oktas, 5/10 or SCT

05 = Five oktas, 6/10

06 = Six oktas, 7/10 - 8/10

07 = Seven oktas - 9/10 or more but not 10/10, or BKN

08 = Eight oktas, 10/10 or OVC

09 = Sky obscured, or cloud amount cannot be estimated

10 = Partial obscuration

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

SKY-COVER-LAYER cloud type code

The code that denotes the classification of the clouds that comprise a SKY-COVER-LAYER.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

00 = Cirrus (CI)

01 = Cirrocumulus (CC)

02 = Cirrostratus (CS)

03 = Altocumulus (AC)

04 = Altostratus (AS)

05 = Nimbostratus (NS)

06 = Stratocumulus (SC)

07 = Stratus (ST)

08 = Cumulus (CU)

09 = Cumulonimbus (CB)

10 = Cloud not visible owing to darkness, fog, duststorm, sandstorm, or other analogous

phenomena (only if other fields in this group are present)

99 = Missing



FLD LEN: 6

SKY-COVER-LAYER base height dimension

The height relative to a VERTICAL-REFERENCE-DATUM of the lowest surface of a cloud.

This attribute can equal +99999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: -00400 MAX: +35000 UNITS: Meters



FLD LEN: 6

SKY-COVER-LAYER top height dimension

The height relative to a VERTICAL-REFERENCE-DATUM of the highest surface of a cloud.

Comment Text: In general, land surface stations use above ground level

(AGL) for vertical reference; aircraft and ships use Mean Sea Level (MSL)

as vertical reference datum. This attribute can equal +99999 = missing

only if other fields in this group are present

MIN: -00400 MAX: +35000 UNITS: Meters

*********************************************************



FLD LEN: 3

ICING-ADDITIONAL-DATA identifier

The identifier that denotes the availability of icing data.

. This data group may appear 0 or once per observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

JA1 = Icing Additional Data and included the following fields:

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION closest code

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION farthest code

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION intensity code

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION type code

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION base height dimension

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION top height dimension







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05 NOV 1997







FLD LEN: 2

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION closest code

The code that denotes position of an aircraft in its flight path at the time of the report relative to

the closest point of icing occurrence.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).

00 = Ascent or Descent

01 = Previous position

02 = Present position

03 = 30 nautical miles

04 = 60 nautical miles

05 = 90 nautical miles

06 = 120 nautical miles

07 = 150 nautical miles

08 = 180 nautical miles

09 = Greater than 180 nautical miles

10 = Unknown

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 2

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION farthest code

The code that denotes position of an aircraft in its flight path at the time of the report relative to

the farthest point of icing occurrence.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).

00 = Ascent or Descent

01 = Previous position

02 = Present position

03 = 30 nautical miles

04 = 60 nautical miles

05 = 90 nautical miles

06 = 120 nautical miles

07 = 150 nautical miles

08 = 180 nautical miles

09 = Greater than 180 nautical miles

10 = Unknown

99 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION intensity code

The code that denotes the intensity of icing on the surface of an AIRCRAFT.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-5) and a 9.

0 = None

1 = Light

2 = Moderate

3 = Heavy (or severe)

4 = Trace

5 = Unknown

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION type code

The code that denotes the type of ice accumulating on the surface of an aircraft.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-7) and a 9.

1 = Rime ice in cloud

2 = Clear ice in cloud

3 = Combination rime and clear ice in cloud

4 = Rime ice in precipitation

5 = Clear ice in precipitation

6 = Combination of rime and clear ice in precipitation

7 = Frost (icing in clear air)

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 6

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION base height dimension

The height, relative to Mean Sea Level (MSL), of the lower surface of the icing layer.

This attribute can equal +99999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: -00400 MAX: 99998 UNITS: Meters



FLD LEN: 6

AIRCRAFT-ICING-OBSERVATION top height dimension







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05 NOV 1997





The height, relative to Mean Sea Level (MSL), of the upper surface of the icing layer.

This attribute can equal +99999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: -00400 MAX: 99998 UNITS: Meters

*********************************************************



FLD LEN: 3

SEA-LEVEL-PRESSURE data identifier

The identifier that denotes the availability of sea level pressure data.

This data group may appear 0 or once per observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

MA1 = Sea Level Pressure Data and includes the following field:

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION sea level pressure rate



FLD LEN: 5

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION sea level pressure rate

The air pressure relative to Mean Sea Level (MSL).

MIN: 08300 MAX: 10900 UNITS: Hectopascals

SCALING FACTOR: 10

*********************************************************



FLD LEN: 3

SURFACE WIND data identifier

The identifier that denotes the availability of a surface wind report.

. This data group may appear 0 or once per observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

OC1 = Sea Surface Additional Data and includes the following fields:

WIND-OBSERVATION direction angle

WIND-OBSERVATION type code

WIND-OBSERVATION speed rate



FLD LEN: 3

WIND-OBSERVATION direction angle

The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction from which

the wind is blowing.

This attribute can equal 999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: 001 MAX: 360 UNITS: Angular degrees



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION type code

The code that denotes the character of the WIND-OBSERVATION.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of ASCII characters and a 9.

N = Normal

V = Variable wind

C = Calm wind

Q = Squall

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 4

WIND-OBSERVATION speed rate

The rate of the horizontal travel of air past a fixed point. This attribute can equal 9999 =

missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: Meters per second

SCALING FACTOR: 10

*******************************************************



FLD LEN: 3

RADAR data identifier

The identifier that denotes the availability of radar data.

This data group may appear 0 or once per observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

RA1 = Radar Additional Data and includes the following fields:

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION bearing angle

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo character code

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo intensity code

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo intensity trend

code

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo ellipse orientation

code

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo distance dimension

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo ellipse width







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dimension

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo ellipse length

dimension



FLD LEN: 3

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION bearing angle

The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the echo center.

This attribute can equal 999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: 001 MAX: 360 UNITS: Angular degrees



FLD LEN: 1

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo character code

The code that denotes the general echo character of the meteorological target of interest.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-6) and a 9.

1 = Scattered area

2 = Solid area

3 = Scattered line

4 = Solid line

5 = Scattered, all quadrants

6 = Solid, all quadrants

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo intensity code

The code that denotes the current strength of the echo.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-3) and a 9.

1 = Weak

2 = Moderate

3 = Strong

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo intensity trend code

The code that denotes the trend of the strength of the echo.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-3) and a 9.

1 = Decreasing

2 = No change

3 = Increasing

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 1

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo ellipse orientation code

The code that denotes the directional orientation of the major axis of the ellipse.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters (1-9).

0 = Circular-No major axis can be determined

1 = North-northeast to south-southwest

2 = Northeast to southwest

3 = East-northeast to west-southwest

4 = East to west

5 = East-southeast to west-northwest

6 = Southeast to northwest

7 = South-southeast to north-northwest

8 = South to north

9 = Missing (only if other fields in this group are present)



FLD LEN: 3

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo distance dimension

The linear measurement from the echo center to the aircraft.

This attribute can equal 999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: 000 MAX: 300 UNITS: Kilometers



FLD LEN: 3

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo ellipse width dimension

The linear measurement of the minor axis of the ellipse.

This attribute can equal 999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: 000 MAX: 300 UNITS: kilometers



FLD LEN: 3

AIRCRAFT-METEOROLOGICAL-RADAR-OBSERVATION echo ellipse length dimension

The linear measurement of the major axis of the ellipse.







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05 NOV 1997





This attribute can equal 999 = missing only if other fields in this group are present.

MIN: 000 MAX: 300 UNITS: Kilometers

*****************************************************



FLD LEN: 3

SEA-SURFACE-TEMPERATURE data identifier

The identifier that denotes the availability of sea surface temperature data.

This data group may appear 0 or once per observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following qualitative data value:

SA1 = RECCO Sea Surface Temperature Data and includes the following field:

SEA-SURFACE-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION temperature



FLD LEN: 4

SEA-SURFACE-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION temperature

The temperature of the water at the surface.

MIN: -050 MAX: +450 UNITS: Degrees Celsius

SCALING FACTOR: 10





*************************************************************

Remarks Data Section

*************************************************************



FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION remarks identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the remarks data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

REM = remarks



FLD LEN: max 250

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION remark text

The text of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION remark.

Remarks cannot equal 9's = missing.









2. UPPER AIR OBSERVATION ( RAOB AND PIBAL ) FILES









2. 1 Preface.





Upper Air Observation files include Rawin/Radiosonde ( RAOB ) and Pilot balloon observation

( PIBAL ) observational datasets. Data item definitions for items are provided at the end of this preface,

providing definition of data items, position number for mandatory data items, field lengths for variable data

items, minimum/maximum values of data, and values for missing data items.





2.2 Data Sequence.





Data will be sequenced using the following data item order:

1. FIXED-WEATHER-STATION identifier

2. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION date

3. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION time

4. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION latitude coordinate

5. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION longitude coordinate

6. GEOPHYSICAL-REPORT-TYPE code



2.3 Record Structure.



Each record is of variable length and is comprised of a mandatory data section and may also

contain level additional and remarks and reject data sections.









11

05 NOV 1997







2.4 Mandatory Data Section.





The beginning of each record provides information about the report including date, time, and station

location information. Data items will use positions identified in the applicable data item definition. The

mandatory data section is 69 characters long.







2.5 Level Data Section.





Level data is provided after the mandatory data. This level data is repeated up to the total number of

levels reported for the observation. There will be a variable number of levels comprised of 40 characters each

plus a 3 character identifier at the beginning of the section.





2.6 Additional Data Section.





Additional data is provided after the level data. Data items will vary in length and are identified in the

applicable data item definition. The groups are only reported if data is present for that group ( i.e., if all data for

a group is missing, the group is not reported ). If no groups are reported the section is omitted. The addtional

data section is variable in length with a minimum lenght of 0 and a maximum length of 137 (134 characters

plus a 3 character section idenitifier) characters.





2.7 Remarks Data Section.





The non-decodable (remarks) data items are provided if they exist. The remarks data section is

variable in length with a minimum length of 0 characters and a maximum of 253 (250 characters plus a 3

character section identifier) characters.





2.8 Element Quality Data Section.





The element quality data section is last. A data item is rejected if the reported value and the

validated value are different. This does not apply if the item was reported as missing and the validator

calculated a value for the item. The element quality data section is variable in length and will contain 20

characters for each erroneous or suspect item. The section will have a minimum length of 0 characters and

amaximum length of 1983 (1980 characters plus 3 characters for the section identifier) characters.





2.9 Missing Values.





Missing values for any non-signed item are filled ( i.e., 999). Missing values for any signed item is

positive-filled (i.e., +99999).





2.10 Longitude and Latitude Coordinates.





Longitudes will be reported with negative values representing longitudes west of 0 degrees, and

latitudes will be negative south of the equator





2. 11 Upper Air Observation (RAOB and PIBAL) Files Data Item Definitions.







*************************************************************

Mandatory Data Section

*************************************************************







POS: 1-4

TOTAL CHARACTER COUNT

The total number of characters included in the observation.

MIN: 0066 MAX: 9999







12

05 NOV 1997





DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 5-7:

TOTAL LEVEL COUNT

A count of the total number of levels in the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.

POS: 8-10

TOTAL ADDITIONAL CHARACTERS

The total number of characters included in the additional data

part of the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 11-13

TOTAL REMARKS CHARACTERS

The total number of characters included in the remarks part of the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 14-16

TOTAL REJECT CHARACTERS

The total number of characters included in the reject part of the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 17-22

FIXED-WEATHER-STATION identifier

The identifier that represents a FIXED-WEATHER-STATION. A six digit number where

the first five digits correspond to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

number, if the station is a WMO station. The sixth digit and non WMO station identifiers are

assigned by Air Force Global Weather Central, Detachment 7.

MIN: 000000 MAX: 999999

DOM: A general domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set



POS: 23-30

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION date

The date of a GEOPHYSICAL POINT OBSERVATION.

MIN: 00000101 MAX: 99991231

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9 in the format YYYYMMDD.

YYYY can be any positive integer value; MM is restricted to values 01-12;

and DD is restricted to values 01-31.



POS: 31-34

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION time

The time of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION based on Universal Time (UTC).

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2359 UNITS: hours & minutes

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9 in the format HHMM.

HH is restricted to values 00-23; MM is restricted to values 00-59



POS: 35-40

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION latitude coordinate

The latitude coordinate of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION. where southern

hemisphere is negative.

MIN: -90000 MAX: +90000 UNITS: degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1000

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+), and a minus

sign(-).

Missing = +99999



POS: 41-47

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION longitude coordinate

The longitude coordinate of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION. where western

hemisphere is negative.

MIN: -179999 MAX: +180000 UNITS: degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1000

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+), and a minus

sign(-).

Missing = +999999









13

05 NOV 1997





POS: 48-52

GEOPHYSICAL-REPORT-TYPE code

The code that denoste the type of geophysical observation or forecast.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

FM-32 = Upper wind report from a fixed land station

FM-33= Upper wind report from a fixed sea station

FM-34 = Upper wind report from a mobile land station

FM-35 = Upper-level pressure, temperature, humidity and wind report from a fixed land station

FM-36 = Upper-level pressure, temperature, humidity and wind report from a sea station

FM-37 = Upper-level pressure, temperature, humidity and wind report from a sonde released by

carrier balloons or aircraft

FM-38 = Upper-level pressure, temperature, humidity and wind report from a mobile land

station

UPWND = Upper level winds from a PIBAL or a Rawindsonde report

UPTMP = Upper level thermodynamic data from a Rawindsonde report

99999 = Missing



POS: 53-57

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION station elevation dimension

The elevation of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION relative to a stated VERTICAL-

REFERENCE-DATUM.

MIN: -0400 MAX: +8850 UNITS: meters

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+), and minus

sign (-).

Missing = +9999



POS: 58-62

FIXED-WEATHER-STATION call letter identifier

The identifier that represents the call letters assigned to a FIXED-WEATHER-STATION.

DOM: A general domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Missing = 99999



POS: 63-63

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL measuring equipment code

The code which denotes the type of measuring equipment used for a wind

observation.

DOM:

0 = Pressure instrument associated with wind-measuring equipment

1 = Optical theodolite

2 = Radio theodolite

3 = Radar

4 = Pressure instrument associated with wind-measuring equipment but pressure element

failed during ascent

5 = VLF-Omega

6 = LORAN-C

7 = Wind Profiler

8 = Satellite Navigation

9 = Missing



POS: 64-66

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION quality rate:

The percent of quality checks which indicated good data as compared to the total number

of quality checks performed on a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION.

MIN: 000 MAX: 100 UNITS: percent

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain composed of the numeric characters (0-9).

Example 00 = Failed every check, 100 = passed all checks

999 = Missing



POS: 67-67

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION data processing source code

The code that denotes where the GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION data was

originally processed.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

1 = USAF DATSAV UPPER AIR

2 = USAF DATSAV2 UPPER AIR

3 = WDC-A ROCKETSONDE

4 = NMC TDF6301 (COMPREHENSIVE AEROLOGICAL REFERENCE DATA

SET)

5 = USAF DATSAV3 UPPER AIR







14

05 NOV 1997





9 = PROCESSING SOURCE UNKNOWN



POS: 68-69

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL RAOB instrument code

The code which denotes the AFGWC type of measuring equipment used for thermodynamic

observations.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

01: VIZ 1206 (403MHZ)

01: VIZ OMEGA (403MHZ)

01: VIZ J008 Solid State(1680)

01: VIZ 1397 (72MHZ)

01: VIZ MICROSONDE (403MHZ)

01: VIZ

01: VIZ 1475 (403MHZ)

01: VIZ 1395 (403MHZ)

01: VIZ 1394 (403MHZ)

02: PHILLIPS ASTOR RS-4 (403MHZ)

02: VIZ 1495 (403MHZ)

03: VIZ AMT-4B (1680MHZ)

05: SANGAMO (1680MHZ)

08: METEORITE A-22IV (216MHZ)

08: METEORITE A-22IV (400MHZ)

10: GRAW/SPRENGER M60 (403MHZ)

10: GRAW H60 (153MHZ)

10: GRAW/SPRENGER M60 (28MHZ)

10: VIZ 1392 (1680MHZ)

11: MESURAL FMO 1950A (403MHZ)

11: MESURAL FMO 1945A (403MHZ)

11: MESURAL MH 73A (403MHZ)

12: VAISALA RS-18 (25MHZ)

12: VAISALA RS21-12C (403MHZ)

12: VAISALA RS21-13C (1680MHZ)

12: VAISALA WS-18 (25MHZ)

12: VAISALA RS-80 (403MHZ)

13: MEISEI or OKI RS-2-80 (1680MHZ)

16: METEORITE RKZ-2 (1782MHZ)

16: METEORITE RKZ-5 (1782MHZ)

17: VIZ LORAN-C (403MHZ)

17: UK MET. OFFICE U.K. RS (28MHZ)

25: UNKNOWN

25: ELIN 2402 (403MHZ)

25: INDIA MET SERV. A-SONDE MKIII (401 or 1680MHZ)

25: JINYANG(VIZ) (1680MHZ)

25: METEOLABOR BASORA (403MHZ)

25: VINOHRADY ZAP MARS 4WF BERLIN (1680MHZ)

99: MISSING





*************************************************************

Level Data Section

*************************************************************



FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION level data identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the level data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

LEV = Level Data Section



NOTE: LEVEL DATA WILL BE SEQUENCED BY DESCENDING “ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-

OBSERVATION-LEVEL pressure rate” (i.e., from the surface, upward)



FLD LEN: 4

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL identifier

The identifier that represents an ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set:

L001 - L999

COM: An L followed by a 3 digit sequential number starting with 1 for the lowest level of a

sounding and increasing by 1 for each successively higher level.







15

05 NOV 1997







FLD LEN: 1

LEVEL TYPE code

A specific code used to specify the type of level which was reported.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character data set.

Missing = 9

S = SURFACE

T = TROPOPAUSE

M = MAXIMUM WIND

B = BOTH TROPOPAUSE AND MAXIMUM WIND

9 = OTHER/UNKNOWN



FLD LEN: 5

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL pressure rate

The pressure of the isobaric surface at the ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-

LEVEL

MIN: 00001 MAX: 11000 UNITS: Hectopascals

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9).

Missing = 99999



FLD LEN: 1

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL pressure quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of a pressure rate.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 6

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL height dimension

The height of the ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL

MIN: -00400 MAX: +99998 UNITS: Geopotential Meters

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values.

Missing. = +99999



FLD LEN: 1

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL height quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of height.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 5

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL air temperature

The temperature of the air at an air temperature observation level.

MIN: -1100 MAX: +0630 UNITS: Degrees Celsius

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+), and a minus

sign(-).

Missing = +9999



FLD LEN: 1

AIR-TEMPERATUE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL temperature-quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the temperature.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 5

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL dew point temperature







16

05 NOV 1997





The temperature of a level in the atmosphere to which a given parcel of air must be

cooled at constant pressure and water vapor content in order for saturation to occur.

MIN: -1100 MAX: +0630 UNITS: DEGREES CELSIUS

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+), and a minus

sign(-) Missing = +9999



FLD LEN: 1

AIR-TEMPERATUE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL dew point quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the dew point temperature.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 3

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL direction angle

The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction from which

` the wind is blowing at a level in the atmosphere.

MIN: 001 MAX: 360 UNITS: Angular Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters.

Missing or calm = 999



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL type code

The code that denotes the characteristics of the WIND-OBSERVATION.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain value definition text

V = Variable

C = Calm

N = Normal

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL direction quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the wind direction angle.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 4

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL speed rate

The rate that represents the measured speed of the wind at a level in the atmosphere.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: Meters per Second

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters 0-9.

Missing = 9999



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL speed quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the wind speed.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing





*************************************************************

Additional Data Section

*************************************************************









17

05 NOV 1997





FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION additional data identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the additional data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

ADD = Additional Data Section

****************************************************************

NOTE: THE CLOUD GROUP CAN APPEAR ZERO OR ONCE PER OBSERVATION.



FLD LEN 2

SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION identifier

An indicator that denotes the start of a Cloud Group.

DOM: AC



FLD LEN 2

SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION total coverage code:

The code that denotes the fraction of the total celestial dome covered by clouds or other obscuring

phenomena.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain Value Definition Text

00 = None, SKC or CLR

01 = One oktas - 1/10 or less but not zero

02 = Two oktas - 2/10 - 3/10, or FEW

03 = Three oktas - 4/10

04 = Four oktas - 5/10, or SCT

05 = Five oktas - 6/10

06 = Six oktas - 7/10 - 8/10

07 = Seven oktas - 9/10 or more but not 10/10, or BKN

08 = Eight oktas - 10/10, or OVC

09 = Sky obscured, or cloud amount cannot be estimated

10 = Partial obscuration

99 = Missing



FLD LEN 2

SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION low cloud genus code:

The code that denotes a type of low cloud.

MIN: 00 MAX: 10

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9)in the ASCII character set.

Source List Text: WMO 306, Code Table 0513

Domain Value ID: Domain Value Definition Text

00 = No low clouds

01 = Cumulus humulis or Cumulus fractus other than of bad weather or both

02 = Cumulus mediocris or congestus, with or without Cumulus of species fractus or

humulis or Stratocumulus all having their bases at the same level

03 = Cumulonimbus calvus, with or without Cumulus, Stratocumulus or Stratus

04 = Stratocumulus cumulogenitus

05 = Stratocumulus other than Stratocumulus cumulogenitus

06 = Stratus nebulosus or Stratus fractus other than of bad weather, or both

07 = Stratus fractus or Cumulus fractus of bad weather, or both(pannus) usually below

Altostratus or Nimbostratus

08 = Cumulus and Stratocumulus other than Stratocumulus cumulogenitus, with bases

at different levels

09 = Cumulonimbus capillatus (often with an anvil), with or without Cumulonimbus

calvus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus or pannus

10 = Low Clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar

phenomena

99 = Missing



FLD LEN 6

SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION lowest cloud base height dimension:

The height above ground level (AGL) of the base of the lowest cloud observed.

MIN: -00400 MAX: +35000 UNITS: Meters

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9) and a minus sign (-).

+99999 = missing



FLD LEN: 2

SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION mid cloud genus code:

The code that denotes a type of middle level cloud.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain Value Definition Text







18

05 NOV 1997





00 = No middle clouds

01 = Altostratus translucidus

02 = Altostratus opacus or Nimbostratus

03 = Altocumulus translucidus at a single level

04 = Patches (often lenticular) of Altocumulus, continually changing and occurring at one or

more levels

05 = Altocumulus translucidus in bands or one or more layers of Altocumulus translucidus or

opacus, progressively invading the sky; these altocumulus clouds generally thicken as a whole

06 = Altocumulus cumulogentis (or cumulonimbogentus)

07 = Altocumulus translucidus or opacus in two or more layers, or altocumulus opacus in a

single layer, not progressively invading the sky, or Altostratus or Nimbostratus

08 = Altocumulus castellanus or floccus

09 = Altocumulus of a chaotic sky; generally at several levels

10 = Cm clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust. or sand, or other similar

phenomena because of continuous layer of lower clouds

99 = Missing



FLD LEN 2

SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION high cloud genus code:

The code that denotes a type of high cloud.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain Value Definition Text

00 = No High Clouds

01 = Cirrus fibratus, sometimes uncinus, not progressively invading the sky

02 = Cirrus spissatus, in patches or entangled sheaves, which usually do not increase and

sometimes seem to be the remains of the upper part of a Cumulonimbus; or Cirrus castellanus or

floccus

03 = Cirrus spissatus cumulonim- bofenitus

04 = Cirrus unicinus or fibratus, or both, progressively invading the sky; they generally thicken

as a whole

05 = Cirrus (often in bands) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone, progressively invading the

sky; they generally thicken as a whole, but the continuous veil does not reach 45 degrees above

the horizon

06 = Cirrus (often in bands) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone, progressively invading the

sky; they generally thicken as a whole; the continuous veil extends more than 45 degrees above

the sky being totally covered

07 = Cirrostratus covering the whole sky

08 = Cirrostratus not progressively invading the sky and not entirely covering it

09 = Cirrocumulus alone, or Cirro-cumulus predominant among the Ch clouds

10 = Ch clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand, or other similar

phenomena, or because of a continuous layer of lower clouds

99 = Missing

******************************************************************************

NOTE: THE MEAN WIND CAN APPEAR ZERO OR TWICE PER OBSERVATION.



FLD LEN 2

MEAN WIND identifier

An indicator that denotes the start of a MEAN-WIND data section.

DOM: AM



FLD LEN 3

WIND-OBSERVATION-LAYER mean wind direction angle

The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction from which

` the mean wind is blowing for a layer in the atmosphere.

MIN: 001 MAX: 360 UNITS: Angular Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain composed of the ASCII characters (0-9),

999 = missing or no direction (calm or variable)



FLD LEN 4

WIND-OBSERVATION-LAYER mean wind speed rate

The average speed of the wind for a layer in the atmosphere.

SCALING FACTOR: 10

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: meters per second

DOM: A general domain composed of the ASCII characters (0-9),

9999 = missing



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LAYER type code

The code that denotes the characteristics of the WIND-OBSERVATION-LAYER.







19

05 NOV 1997





DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain value definition text

V = Variable

C = Calm

N = Normal

9 = Missing



FLD LEN 6

WIND-OBSERVATION-LAYER bottom height dimension

The height dimension of lowest edge of an atmospheric layer.

MIN: -00400 MAX: = +99998 UNITS: Meters

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain composed of the ASCII characters (0-9), a plus (+) and a minus (-) sign.

+99999 = missing



FLD LEN 6

WIND-OBSERVATION-LAYER top height dimension

The height dimension of upper edge of an atmospheric layer.

MIN: -00400 MAX: +99998 UNITS: Meters

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain composed of the ASCII characters (0-9), a plus (+) and a minus (-) sign.

+99999 = missing

****************************************************************

NOTE: THE MAXIMUM WIND DATA CAN BE REPEATED UP TO 4 TIMES



FLD LEN 2

MAXIMUM WIND VECTOR DIFFERENCE identifier

An indicator that denotes the start of a MAXIMUM-WIND data section.

DOM: AX



FLD LEN: 4

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL identifier

The identifier that represents an ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set:

L001 - L999

COM: An L followed by a 3 digit sequential number starting with 1 for the lowest level of a

sounding and increasing by 1 for each successively higher level. This identifier will

be the same as its counterpart in the Level data section. ie If the first max wind is

at 500 MB and that level was assigned identifier L007 in the level data, this identifier

will also be L007.



FLD LEN 4

MAXIMUM-WIND-LEVEL vector difference above magnitude quantity:

The quantity that denotes the magnitude of the vector difference between the wind at the

level of the MAXIMUM-WIND-LEVEL and the level 1KM above.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: meters per second

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9).

Missing = 9999



FLD LEN 4

MAXIMUM-WIND-LEVEL vector difference below magnitude quantity:

The quantity that denotes the magnitude of the vector difference between the wind at the

level of the MAXIMUM-WIND-LEVEL and the level 1KM below.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: meters per second

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9).

Missing = 9999



********************************************************************

NOTE: THE PRESENT WEATHER DATA CAN BE REPEATED UP TO 2 TIMES



FLD LEN 3

PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION occurrence identifier

The identifier that represents a PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the following ASCII characters:

AW1 = first weather reported

AW2 = second weather reported









20

05 NOV 1997





FLD LEN: 2

PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION manual atmospheric condition code

The code that denotes a specific type of weather observed manually.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain Value Definition Text

------------------------------------------------------------------------

00-49 No precipitation at the station at the time of observation

------------------------------------------------------------------------

00-19 No precipitation, fog, ice fog (except for 11 and 12), duststorm, sandstorm, drifting or blowing

snow

at the station at the time of observation or, except for 09 and 17, during the

preceding hour.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

00: Cloud development not observed or not observable

01: Clouds generally dissolving or becoming less developed

02: State of sky on the whole unchanged

03: Clouds generally forming or developing

04: Visibility reduced by smoke, e.g. veldt or forest fires, industrial smoke or volcanic ashes

05: Haze

06: Widespread dust in suspension in the air, not raised by wind at or near the station at the time

of observation

07: Dust or sand raised by wind at or near the station at the time of observation, but no

well-developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s), and no duststorm or sandstorm seen: or, in the case

of ships, blowing spray at the station

08: Well-developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s) seen at or near the station during the preceding

hour or at the time of observation, but no duststorm or sandstorm

09: Duststorm or sandstorm within sight at the time of observation, or at the station during the

preceding

hour

10: Mist

11: Patches of shallow fog or ice fog at the station, whether on land or sea, not deeper than about

2 meters on land or 10 meters at sea

12: More or less continuous shallow fog or ice fog at the station, whether on land or sea, not

deeper than about 2 meters on land or 10 meters at sea

13: Lightning visible, no thunder heard

14: Precipitation within sight, not reaching the ground or the surface of the sea

15: Precipitation within sight, reaching the ground or the surface of the sea, but distant, i.e. estimated

to be

more than 5 km from the station

16: Precipitation within sight, reaching the ground or the surface of the sea, near to, but not at

the station

17: Thunderstorm, but no precipitation at the time of observation

18: Squalls at or within sight of the station during the preceding hour or at the time of

observation

19: Funnel cloud(s) (Tornado cloud or waterspout) at or within sight of the station during the preceding

hour or at the time of observation

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

20-29 Precipitation, fog, ice fog or thunderstorm at the station during the preceding hour,

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

but not at the time of observation.

20: Drizzle (not freezing) or snow grains not falling as shower(s)

21: Rain (not freezing) not falling as shower(s)

22: Snow not falling as shower(s)

23: Rain and snow or ice pellets not falling as shower(s)

24: Freezing drizzle or freezing rain not falling as shower(s)

25: Shower(s) of rain

26: Shower(s) of snow, or of rain and snow

27: Shower(s) of hail (Hail, small hail, snow pellets), or rain and hail

28: Fog or ice fog

29: Thunderstorm (with or without precipitation)

30: Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm has decreased during the preceding hour

31: Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm no appreciable change during the preceding hour

32: Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm has begun or has increased during the preceding

hour

33: Severe duststorm or sandstorm has decreased during the preceding hour

34: Severe duststorm or sandstorm no appreciable change during the preceding hour

35: Severe duststorm or sandstorm has begun or has increased during the preceding hour

36: Slight or moderate drifting snow generally low (below eye level)

37: Heavy drifting snow generally low (below eye level)

38: Slight or moderate blowing snow generally high (above eye level)







21

05 NOV 1997





39: Heavy blowing snow generally high (above eye level)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

40-49 Fog or ice fog at the time of observation

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

40: Fog or ice fog at a distance at the time of observation, but not at the station during the

preceding hour, the fog or ice fog extending to a level above that of the observer

41: Fog or ice fog in patches

42: Fog or ice fog, sky visible, has become thinner during the preceding hour

43: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, has become thinner during the preceding hour

44: Fog or ice fog, sky visible, no appreciable change during the preceding hour

45: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, no appreciable change during the preceding hour

46: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, has begun or has become thicker during the preceding hour

47: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, has begun or has become thicker during the preceding hour

48: Fog, depositing rime, sky visible

49: Fog, depositing rime, sky invisible

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

50-99 Precipitation at the station at the time of observation

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

50-59 Drizzle

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

50: Drizzle, not freezing, intermittent, slight at time of observation

51: Drizzle, not freezing, continuous, slight at time of observation

52: Drizzle, not freezing, intermittent, moderate at time of observation

53: Drizzle, not freezing, continuous, moderate at time of observation

54: Drizzle, not freezing, intermittent, heavy (dense) at time of observation

55: Drizzle, not freezing, continuous, heavy (dense) at time of observation

56: Drizzle, freezing, slight

57: Drizzle, freezing, moderate or heavy (dense)

58: Drizzle and rain, slight

59: Drizzle and rain, moderate or heavy

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

60-69: Rain

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

60: Rain, not freezing, intermittent, slight at time of observation

61: Rain, not freezing, continuous, slight at time of observation

62: Rain, not freezing, intermittent, moderate at time of observation

63: Rain, not freezing, continuous, moderate at time of observation

64: Rain, not freezing, intermittent, heavy at time of observation

65: Rain, not freezing, continuous, heavy at time of observation

66: Rain, freezing, slight

67: Rain, freezing, moderate or heavy

68: Rain or drizzle and snow, slight

69: Rain or drizzle and snow, moderate or heavy

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

70-79 Solid precipitation not in showers

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

70: Intermittent fall of snowflakes, slight at time of observation

71: Continuous fall of snowflakes, slight at time of observation

72: Intermittent fall of snowflakes, moderate at time of observation

73: Continuous fall of snowflakes, moderate at time of observation

74: Intermittent fall of snowflakes, heavy at time of observation

75: Continuous fall of snowflakes, heavy at time of observation

76: Diamond dust (with or without fog)

77: Snow grains (with or without fog)

78: Isolated star-like snow crystals (with or without fog)

79: Ice pellets

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

80-99 Showery precipitation, or precipitation with current or recent thunderstorm.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

80: Rain shower(s), slight

81: Rain shower(s), moderate or heavy

82: Rain shower(s), violent

83: Shower(s) of rain and snow mixed, slight

84: Shower(s) of rain and snow mixed, moderate or heavy

85: Show shower(s), slight

86: Snow shower(s), moderate or heavy

87: Shower(s) of snow pellets or small hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed, slight

88: Shower(s) of snow pellets or small hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed,

moderate or heavy

89: Shower(s) of hail (hail, small hail, snow pellets) , with or without rain or rain and snow







22

05 NOV 1997





mixed, not associated with thunder, slight

90: Shower(s) of hail (hail, small hail, snow pellets), with or without rain or rain and snow

mixed, not associated with thunder, moderate or heavy

91: Slight rain at time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of

observation

92: Moderate or heavy rain at time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but

not at time of observation

93: Slight snow, or rain and snow mixed or hail (Hail, small hail, snow pellets), at time of

observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation

94: Moderate or heavy snow, or rain and snow mixed or hail(Hail, small hail, snow pellets) at

time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation









23

05 NOV 1997





95: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate, without hail (Hail, small hail, snow pellets),

but with rain and/or snow at time of observation, thunderstorm at time of observation

96: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate, with hail (hail, small hail, snow pellets) at time of

observation, thunderstorm at time of observation

97: Thunderstorm, heavy, without hail (Hail, small hail, snow pellets),

but with rain and/or snow at time of observation, thunderstorm at time of observation

98: Thunderstorm combined with duststorm or sandstorm at time of observation,

thunderstorm at time of observation

99: Thunderstorm, heavy, with hail (Hail, small hail, snow pellets) at time of observation,

thunderstorm at time of observation

*******************************************************



FLD LEN 2

STABILITY identifier

The identifier that indicates the presence of stability data.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII characters.

ST.



FLD LEN 3

SWEAT-INDEX quantity

The quantity of the value that indicates the measure of the potential for severe weather of

a given air mass.

DOM: A general domain comprised of the ASCII characters (0-9).

MIN: 000 MAX: 998

999 = misssing



FLD LEN 3

STABILITY Showalter index quantity

The quantity of the value that indicates the degree of stability of the layer of air

extending from a level near the surface of the earth to the 500 MB level.

MIN: -40 MAX: +40

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9) and a minus sign (-).

+99 = missing





*************************************************************

Remarks Data Section

*************************************************************



FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION remark identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the remarks data section.

from decodable sections of the observation follows.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

REM = remarks



FLD LEN: max of 250

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION non decoded text

the text of data from the remarks section of the observation or non decodable data from

decodable sections of the observation.

MIN: 001 characters MAX: 250 characters

DOM: A general domain comprised of the ASCII character set.





*************************************************************

Element Quality Data Section

*************************************************************



FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION quality data identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the element quality data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

EQD = Element Quality Data



FLD LEN 3

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY identifier

The identifier that denotes the existence of ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUAILTY data.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

Q01 - Q99: The following may be occurr from 0 to 99 times.









24

05 NOV 1997





ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION LEVEL

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY original value text

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY reason code

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY parameter code



FLD LEN: 4

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL identifier

The identifier that represents an ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set:

L001 - L999

COM: An L followed by a 3 digit sequential number starting with 1 for the lowest level of a

sounding and increasing by 1 for each successively higher level. This identifier will

be the same as its counterpart in the Level data section. ie If the first rejected element

is at 500 MB and that level was assigned identifier L007 in the level data, this identifier

will also be L007.



FLD LEN 6

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY original value text

The original value text for elements which were rejected or recomputed during validation.

DOM: A general domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.



FLD LEN 1

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY reason code

The code that denotes the reason an element was identified as suspect, erroneous or recomputed.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ascii character set.

0=ORIGINAL VALUE MISSING OR CORRUPTED

6=GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS AND CONSISTENCY CHECKS

2=GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS (CHECKING THE VALIDITY AGAINST OTHER

PARAMETERS)

7=GROSS ERROR CHECKS AND GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS AND

CONSISTENCY CHECKS

1=GROSS ERROR CHECKS (RANGE AND/OR DOMAIN CHECK)

3=CONSISTENCY CHECKS (CHECKING THE VALIDITY AGAINST THE

SAME TYPE OF PARAMETER)

4=GROSS ERROR CHECKS AND GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS

5=GROSS ERROR CHECKS AND CONSISTENCY CHECKS

9=Missing or Unknown



FLD LEN 6

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY parameter code

The code that denotes the type of parameter that the supplemental-level-element-quality applies

to.

DOM: a specific domain comprised of the characters in the ascii character set. Comment Text:

APC3:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-CHANGE THREE HOUR CHANGE QUANTITY

ATOLD:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL DEWPOINT TEMPERATURE

WOSPD:WIND-OBSERVATION SPEED RATE

WOLSPD:WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL SPEED RATE

WOLDIR:WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL DIRECTION ANGLE

WODIR:WIND-OBSERVATION DIRECTION ANGLE

ATOLDS:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL DENSITY RATE

ATOLT:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL AIR TEMPERATURE

ATOD:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION DEW POINT TEMPERATURE

ATOT:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION AIR TEMPERATURE

APOSP:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION STATION PRESSURE RATE

APOSLP:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION SEA LEVEL PRESSURE

APOLP:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL PRESSURE RATE

APOLH:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL HEIGHT DIMENSION

APOA:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION ALTIMETER RATE

WGOSPD:WIND_GUST-OBSERVATION SPEED RATE

APCQ24:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-CHANGE TWENTY FOUR HOUR QUANTITY

APCTEN:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-CHANGE TENDENCY CODE

PRSWOA:PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION AUTOMATED ATMOSPHERIC

CONDITION

CODE

PRSWOM: PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION MANUAL ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION

CODE

PSTWOA: PAST-WEATHER-OBSERVATION AUTOMATED ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION

CODE

PSTWOM: PAST-WEATHER-OBSERVATION MANUAL ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION

CODE







25

05 NOV 1997





PSTWOP: PAST-WEATHER-OBSERVATION PERIOD QUANTITY

SCOCIG:SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION CEILING HEIGHT DIMENSION

SCOHCG: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION HIGH CLOUD GENUS CODE

SCOLCB: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION LOWEST CLOUD BASE HEIGHT DIMENSION

SCOLCG: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION LOW CLOUD GENUS CODE

SCOMCG: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION MID CLOUD GENUS CODE

SCOTCV: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION TOTAL COVERAGE CODE

SCOTLC: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION TOTAL LOWEST CLOUD COVER CODE

VODIS:VISIBILITY-OBSERVATION DISTANCE DIMENSION

VOVAR:VISIBILITY-OBSRVATION VARIABILITY CODE







3. UPPER AIR OBSERVATION ( ROCOB ) FILES







3. 1 Preface.





Upper Air Observation files include the Rocketsonde observation ( ROCOB ) observational datasets.

Data item definitions for items are provided at the end of this preface, providing definition of data items,

position number for mandatory data items, field lengths for variable data items, minimum/maximum values of

data, and values for missing data items.





3.2 Data Sequence.





Data will be sequenced using the following data item order:

1. FIXED-WEATHER-STATION identifier

2. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION date

3. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION time

4. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION latitude coordinate

5. GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION longitude coordinate



3.3 Record Structure.



Each record is of variable length and is comprised of a mandatory data section and may also

contain level, remarks and reject data sections.





3.4 Mandatory Data Section.





The beginning of each record provides information about the report including date, time, and station

location information. Data items will use positions identified in the applicable data item definition. The

mandatory data section is 67 characters long.







3.5 Level Data Section.





Level data is provided after the mandatory data. This level data is repeated up to the total number of

levels reported for the observation. There will be a variable number of levels comprised of 41 characters each

plus a 3 character section identifier.





3.6 Remarks Data Section.





The non-decodable (remarks) data items are provided if they exist. The remarks data section is

variable in length with a minimum of 0 characters and a maximum of 253 (250 characters plus a 3 character

section identifier) characters.







3.7 Element Quality Data Section.





The element quality data section is last. A data item is rejected if the reported value and the

validated value are different. This does not apply if the item was reported as missing and the validator







26

05 NOV 1997





calculated a value for the item. The element quality data section is variable in length and will contain 23

characters for each erroneous or sucpect data item. The section will have a minimum of 0 characters and a

maximum of 2280 (2277 characters plus a 3 character section identifier) characters.







3.8 Missing Values.





Missing values for any non-signed item are filled ( i.e., 999). Missing values for any signed item is

positive-filled (i.e., +99999).





3.9 Longitude and Latitude Coordinates.





Longitudes will be reported with negative values representing longitudes west of 0 degrees,

and latitudes will be negative south of the equator





3.10 Upper Air Observation ( ROCOB ) Files Data Item Definitions.







*************************************************************

Mandatory Data Section

*************************************************************





POS: 1-4

TOTAL CHARACTER COUNT:

The total number of characters included in the observation.

MIN: 0067 MAX: 9999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 5-7

TOTAL LEVEL COUNT :

A count of the total number of levels in the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 8-10

TOTAL REMARKS CHARACTERS:

The total number of characters included in the remarks part of the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 11-13

TOTAL REJECT CHARACTERS :

The total number of characters included in the reject part of the observation.

MIN: 000 MAX: 999

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9.



POS: 14-19

FIXED-WEATHER-STATION identifier:

The identifier that represents a FIXED-WEATHER-STATION. A six digit number where the

first through fifth digits correspond to a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) number, if

the station is a WMO station. The sixth digit and non WMO station identifiers are assigned

by Detachment 7, Air Force Global Weather Center.

MIN: 000000 MAX: 999999

DOM: A general domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.



POS: 20-27

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION date:

The date of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT- OBSERVATION.

MIN: 00000101 MAX: 99991231

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9 in the format

YYYYMMDD. YYYY can be any positive integer value; MM is restricted to values

01-12; and DD is restricted to values 01-31.



POS: 28-31







27

05 NOV 1997





GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION time:

The time of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT- OBSERVATION based on Universal Time Code (UTC).

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2359 UNITS: hours & minutes

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values 0-9 in the format HHMM

HH is restricted to values 00-23; MM is restricted to values 00-59



POS: 32-37

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION latitude coordinate:

The latitude coordinate of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION where southern

hemisphere is negative.

MIN: -90000 MAX: +90000 UNITS: Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1000

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+),

and a minus sign(-).

Missing = +99999



POS: 38-44

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION longitude coordinate:

The longitude coordinate of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION where western

hemisphere is negative.

MIN: -179999 MAX: +180000 UNITS: Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1000

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+),

and a minus sign(-).

Missing = +999999



POS: 45-49

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION elevation dimension:

The elevation of a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION relative to a stated VERTICAL-

REFERENCE-DATUM.

MIN: -0400 MAX: +8850 UNITS: meters

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign(+),

and minus sign(-).

Missing = +9999



POS: 50-54

FIXED-WEATHER-STATION call letter identifier:

The identifier that represents the call letters assigned to a FIXED-WEATHER-STATION.

DOM: A general domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Missing = 99999



POS: 55-57

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION quality rate:

The percent of quality checks which indicated good data as compared to the total number

of quality checks performed on a GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION.

MIN: 000 MAX: 100 UNITS: percent

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain composed of the numeric characters (0-9).

Example 00 = Failed every check, 100 = passed all checks

999 = Missing



POS: 58-58

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION data processing source code

The code that denotes where the GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION data was

originally processed

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

1 = USAF DATSAV Upper Air

2 = USAF DATSAV2 Upper Air

3 = WDC-A Rocketsonde

4 = NMC TDF6301 (Comprehensive Aerological Reference Dataset)

5 = USAF DATSAV3 Upper Air

9 = Processing Source Unknown



POS: 59-60

ROCKETSONDE-THERMODYNAMIC-CHARACTERISTIC equipment type code:

The code that denotes the thermodynamic sensing equipment deployed on a rocket sounding.

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters

00 = No thermodynamic sensor

01 = Arcasonde, experimental







28

05 NOV 1997





02 = Arcasonde 1A, thin film mount, 10 mil (Bt)

03 = WOX1A and WOX4A, experimental

04 = WOX1A, 10 mil (Bt)

05 = WOX4A, 10 mil (Bt)

06 = Walmet, thin film loop mount, 10 mil (Bt)

07 = Sts, experimental (Bt)

08 = Sts, thin film mount, 10 mil (Bt)

09 = Datasonde, experimental (Bt)

10 = Datasonde, thin film loop mount, 10 mil (Bt)

11 = Pulsed sonde, experimental

20 = MK-1, MK-2, experimantal (Rw)

21 = MK-1 (RW)

22 = MK-2 (Rw)

30 = Echosonde, ES64-B, experimental (Rw)

31 = Echosonde, ES64-B, (Rw)

32 = Echosonde, ES89-P

35 = DMN sonde, thin wire

36 = DMN sonde, flat plate

45 = UK rocketsonde MK-11 spiralized coiled 13 micrometer resistence wire element

50 = Sphere, experimental

51 = Sphere, inflatable

55 = Grenade, Experimental

56 = Grenade

60 = Density gauge, experimental

65 = Pressure gauge, experimental

70 = Remote sensing, experimental

99 = Missing



POS: 61-61

ROCKETSONDE-THERMODYNAMIC-CHARACTERISTIC correction type code

The code that denotes thermodynamic corrections applied to the data obtained from a

rocket sounding.

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters.

0 - No correction applied

1 - US standard correction

2 - UK standard correction

3 - Japan standard correction

9 - Missing



POS: 62-62

ROCKETSONDE-THERMODYNAMIC-CHARACTERISTIC reduction type code

The code that denotes the type of thermodynamic data reducing method associated with

a rocket sounding.

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters..

1 = Manually-nomogram

2 = Electronic computer

9 = Other method or missing



POS: 63-63

ROCKET-SOUNDING motor code

The code that denotes the type of rocket motor associated with a rocket sounding.

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters.

0 = 114 mm (4.5 in) end burning

1 = 76 mm (3.0 in) internal burning

2 = Boosted, 114 mm (4.5 in) end burning

3 = Boosted, 76 mm (3.0 in) internal burning

4 = 135 mm (5.3 in) internal burning

5 = 160 mm (6.3 in) internal burning

9 = missing



POS: 64-65

ROCKETSONDE-WIND-CHARACTERISTIC wind equipment code

The code that denotes the type of wind sensing equipment associated with a rocket sounding.

MIN: 00 MAX: 70

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters.

00 = No wind sensor

01 = Chaff, experimental

02 = Chaff, metalized

03-09 Unassigned

10 = Parachute, experimental







29

05 NOV 1997





11 = Parachute, 0.5 m to 3.5 m diameter

12 = Parachute, 3.6 m to 5.5 m diameter

13 = Parachute, greater than 5.5 m diameter

14 = Mesh decellerator, experimental

15-29 Unassigned

30 = Starute, experimental

31 = Starute, experimental 0.5 m to 3.5 m diameter

32 = Starute, experimental 3.6 m to 5.5 m diameter

33 = Starute, experimental greater than 5.5 m diameter

34-49 Unassigned

50 = Sphere, experimental

51 = Sphere, inflatable

52-54 Unassigned

55 = Grenade experimental

56-59 Unassigned

60 = Chemical trail, experimental

61-64 Unassigned

65 = Meteor trail, experimental

66-69 Unassigned

70 = Remote sensing, experimental

99 = Missing



POS: 66-66

ROCKETSONDE-WIND-CHARACTERISTIC wind correction technique code

The code that denotes the type of wind correction technique associated with a

rocket sounding.

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters.

0 = No correction applied

1 = US standard correction

2 = UK standard correction

3 = Japan standard correction

9 = missing



POS: 67-67

ROCKETSONDE-WIND-CHARACTERISTIC wind reduction method code

The code that denotes the method of wind data reduction processing associated with a

rocket sounding.

MIN: 1 MAX: 9

DOM: A specific domain composed of the ASCII characters.

1 = Manually-nomogram

2 = Electronic computer

9 = Other method or missing



*************************************************************

Level Data Section

*************************************************************



FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION level identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the level data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

LEV = Level Data Section



NOTE: LEVEL DATA WILL BE SEQUENCED BY DESCENDING “ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-

OBSERVATION-LEVEL pressure rate” (i.e., from the surface, upward)



FLD LEN: 4

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL identifier

The identifier that represents an ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

L001 - L999

COM: A 4 digit sequential number starting with 1 for the lowest level of a sounding and

increasing by 1 for each successively higher level.



FLD LEN 11

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL pressure rate:

The pressure of the isobaric surface at the ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-

OBSERVATION-LEVEL

MIN: 00000000001 MAX: 11000000000 UNITS: Hectopascals









30

05 NOV 1997





SCALING FACTOR: 10000000

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9).

Missing = 99999999999



FLD LEN: 1

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL pressure quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the pressure.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN 6

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL height dimension:

The geopotential height of the atmospheric pressure observation level.

MIN: 10000 MAX: 150000 UNITS: Geopotential Meters

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain comprised of integer values. 999999 = Missing



FLD LEN: 1

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL height quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the height.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN 5

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL air temperature:

The temperature of the air at an AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

MIN: -1100 MAX: +0630 UNITS: Degrees Celsius

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9), a plus sign (+),

and a minus sign (-).

Missing = +9999



FLD LEN: 1

AIR-TEMPERATUE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL temperature-quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the temperature.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN 7

AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL density rate

The density of the air at an AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

MIN: 0000000 MAX: 1000000 UNITS: Kilograms per meter cubed

SCALING FACTOR: 1000000

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9)

Missing = 9999999



FLD LEN: 1

AIR-TEMPERATUE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL density quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the air density.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN 3

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL direction angle:







31

05 NOV 1997





The angle, measured in a clockwise direction, between true north and the direction from which

the wind is blowing at a level in the atmosphere.

MIN: 001 MAX: 360 UNITS: Angular Degrees

SCALING FACTOR: 1

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9).

Missing = 999



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL direction quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the wind direction angle.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL type code

The code that denotes the characteristics of the WIND-OBSERVATION.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

Domain Value ID: Domain value definition text

V = Variable

C = Calm

N = Normal

9 = Missing



FLD LEN 4

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL speed rate:

The rate that represents the measured speed of the wind at a level in the atmosphere.

MIN: 0000 MAX: 2000 UNITS: Meters per Second

SCALING FACTOR: 10

DOM: A general domain comprised of the numeric characters (0-9).

Missing = 9999



FLD LEN: 1

WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL speed quality code

The code that denotes a quality status of the wind speed.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.

0 = No check

1 = Good

2 = Suspect

3 = Erroneous

9 = Missing





*************************************************************

Remarks Data Section

*************************************************************





FLD LEN: 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION remark identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the rearks data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

REM = Remarks



FLD LEN: max of 250 characters

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION non decoded text

The text of data from the remarks section of the observation or non decodable data from the

decodable sections of the observation.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

MIN: 001 character MAX: 250 characters





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Element Quality Data Section

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FLD LEN 3

GEOPHYSICAL-POINT-OBSERVATION quality data identifier

The identifier that denotes the beginning of the element quality data section.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

EQD = Element Quality Data



FLD LEN 3

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY identifier

The identifier that denotes the existence of ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY data.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set.

Q01 - Q99: The following may be occurr from 0 to 99 times.

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION LEVEL

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY original value text

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY reason code

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY parameter code



FLD LEN: 4

ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL identifier

The identifier that represents an ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the ASCII character set:

L001 - L999

COM: An L followed by a 3 digit sequential number starting with 1 for the lowest level of a

sounding and increasing by 1 for each successively higher level. This identifier will

be the same as its counterpart in the Level data section. ie If the first rejected element

is at 500 MB and that level was assigned identifier L007 in the level data, this identifier

will also be L007.



FLD LEN 9

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY original value text

The original value text for elements which were rejected or recomputed during validation.

DOM: A general domain comprised of the characters in the ASCII character set.



FLD LEN 1

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY reason code

The code that denotes the reason an element was identified as suspect, erroneous or recomputed.

DOM: A specific domain comprised of the characters in the ascii character set.

0=ORIGINAL VALUE MISSING OR CORRUPTED

6=GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS AND CONSISTENCY CHECKS

2=GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS (CHECKING THE VALIDITY AGAINST OTHER

PARAMETERS)

7=GROSS ERROR CHECKS AND GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS AND

CONSISTENCY CHECKS

1=GROSS ERROR CHECKS (RANGE AND/OR DOMAIN CHECK)

3=CONSISTENCY CHECKS (CHECKING THE VALIDITY AGAINST THE SAME

TYPE OF PARAMETER)

4=GROSS ERROR CHECKS AND GEOPHYSICAL CHECKS

5=GROSS ERROR CHECKS AND CONSISTENCY CHECKS



FLD LEN 6

ORIGINAL-OBSERVATION-ELEMENT-QUALITY parameter code

The code that denotes the type of parameter that the supplemental-level-element-quality applies

to.

DOM: a specific domain comprised of the characters in the ascii character set. Comment Text:

APC3:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-CHANGE THREE HOUR CHANGE QUANTITY

ATOLD:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL DEWPOINT TEMPERATURE

WOSPD:WIND-OBSERVATION SPEED RATE

WOLSPD:WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL SPEED RATE

WOLDIR:WIND-OBSERVATION-LEVEL DIRECTION ANGLE

WODIR:WIND-OBSERVATION DIRECTION ANGLE

ATOLDS:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL DENSITY RATE

ATOLT:AIR-TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL AIR TEMPERATURE

ATOD:AIR TEMPERATURE-OBSERVATION DEW POINT TEMPERATURE

ATOT:AIR TEMPERATURE OBSERVATION AIR TEMPERATURE

APOSP:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION STATION PRESSURE RATE

APOSLP:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION SEA LEVEL PRESSURE

APOLP:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL PRESSURE RATE

APOLH:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION-LEVEL HEIGHT DIMENSION

APOA:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-OBSERVATION ALTIMETER RATE

WGOSPD:WIND_GUST-OBSERVATION SPEED RATE

APCQ24:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-CHANGE TWENTY FOUR HOUR QUANTITY







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APCTEN:ATMOSPHERIC-PRESSURE-CHANGE TENDENCY CODE

PRSWOA:PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION AUTOMATED ATMOSPHERIC

CONDITION

CODE

PRSWOM: PRESENT-WEATHER-OBSERVATION MANUAL ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION

CODE

PSTWOA: PAST-WEATHER-OBSERVATION AUTOMATED ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION

CODE

PSTWOM: PAST-WEATHER-OBSERVATION MANUAL ATMOSPHERIC CONDITION

CODE

PSTWOP: PAST-WEATHER-OBSERVATION PERIOD QUANTITY

SCOCIG:SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION CEILING HEIGHT DIMENSION

SCOHCG: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION HIGH CLOUD GENUS CODE

SCOLCB: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION LOWEST CLOUD BASE HEIGHT DIMENSION

SCOLCG: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION LOW CLOUD GENUS CODE

SCOMCG: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION MID CLOUD GENUS CODE

SCOTCV: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION TOTAL COVERAGE CODE

SCOTLC: SKY-CONDITION-OBSERVATION TOTAL LOWEST CLOUD COVER CODE

VODIS:VISIBILITY-OBSERVATION DISTANCE DIMENSION

VOVAR:VISIBILITY-OBSRVATION VARIABILITY CODE









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