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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Radar Chart

browse graphicSample image of Radar Summary Chart
The Radar Chart collection is an archived product of summarized radar data. The geographic coverage is the 48 contiguous states of the United States. These hourly radar charts were prepared by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Data contains analyzed areas, lines, and cells of cloud formations that include the base, tops, movement, and precipitation intensity. Precipitation types and change of intensity are also depicted. These charts are prepared from radar observations taken by NWS weather radar stations throughout the country.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI Physicals: CHTRAD
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00104
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00104
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • GIF
  • Microfilm
  • Paper
  • PDF
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1956-04-19 to 2013-06-11
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -125.0
East: -66.0
South: 24.0
North: 50.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: unknown
Data Presentation Form mapDigital
Hardcopy image - image archived in analog format
Dataset Progress Status Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose To make a wide range of climatic data available to researchers and the public.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Frequency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Asymmetry
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Ceiling
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Reflectance
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Hail
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Ice Pellets > Sleet
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Radar Backscatter
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Radar Imagery
  • Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Radar Reflectivity
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Earth Science > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
Use Constraints
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
  • Only a subset of the data are available digitally. Please contact Customer Support to coordinate options for accessing the non-digital data. Charges may apply.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement Data derives from radar images captured by the National Weather Bureau and, later, the National Weather Service. Some data is of poor quality and records may be incomplete.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS/NCEP > National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • Manual creation of Radar Charts.
  • Automated creation of Radar Charts.
Source Datasets
  • Radar Plan Position Indicator Scope
    • Radar Plan Position Indicator Scope
      More information for source data can be found at the dataset landing page.
    • Description of Source: NWS observers used Radar PPI scopes in conjunction with the Radar Weather Observations to analyze then compile the information to create radar summary charts charts.
    • Temporal extent used: 1951-01-01 to 1997-08-31
  • Radar Weather Observations
    • Radar Weather Observations
      More information for source data can be found at the dataset landing page.
    • Description of Source: NWS observers used Radar PPI scopes in conjunction with the Radar Weather Observations to analyze then compile the information to create radar summary charts charts.
    • Temporal extent used: 1951-01-01 to 1997-08-31
  • Weather Radar (Level II) Landing Page
    • Weather Radar (Level II) Landing Page
      As NEXRAD stations came online and began transmitting data in the early-to-mid 1990s, the national plots became automated, likely via supercomputer, per the radar coded messages from sites with WSR-57s (which were manually coded), then via WSR-88D which were automatically coded and sent.
    • Description of Source: NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level II Base Data
    • Temporal extent used: 1991-06-05 to 2013-06-30
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-07-11
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov