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NMC B3 ADP Global Upper Air Observations, daily March 1962 to December 1972

d353000
| DOI: 10.5065/R592-TX59
 

This historical dataset is recommended for ancillary use only and not as a primary research dataset. It has likely been superseded by a newer, improved dataset.

Abstract:

DSS presents a global synoptic set of 12 hourly upper air data reports. These were operationally collected by NMC. They include radiosondes, pibals and aircraft reports received via the Global Telecommunications System (GTS). NMC used Automated Data Processing (ADP) to decode and reformat the GTS reports. This data was the primary input (known as "B 3s") for NMC's modeling and forecasting. It was also a major input for the NCEP/NCAR and ECMWF Reanalysis Projects. The NCAR document TN404 An Introduction to Atmospheric and Oceanographic Datasets, (chapter 3) discusses the collection of this data in greater detail.

The ADPUPA data includes land and ship launched radiosondes and pibals. Data may be available at up to 20 mandatory levels from 1000mb to 10mb, plus a few significant levels. The AIRCFT data includes flight level reports from commercial, military and reconnaissance sources. The data may include pressure, deviation value (deviation from standard atmosphere geopotential height), temperature, dew point, wind direction and speed.

This dataset is in an NCAR blocked version of the NMC Office Note 20 (ON20) format, which involves using the DSS RPTOUT software.

Temporal Range:
1962-03-04 to 1972-12-31
Variables:
Atmospheric Pressure Measurements Dew Point Temperature Geopotential Height Station Height
Surface Pressure Surface Winds Upper Air Temperature Upper Level Winds
Data Contributors:
DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP
National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Total Volume:
5.29 GB (Entire dataset) Volume details by dataset product
Data Formats:
Related RDA Datasets:
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NCEP ADP Operational Global Upper Air Observations, December 1972 - February 2007
Metadata Record:
Data License:
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