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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Adiabatic Charts

WBAN-31

browse graphicSample Record
WBAN-31 is a form on which the Weather Bureau, Army and Navy recorded weather observations in the upper air as observed by rawinsonde and radiosonde. The collection includes thousands of these Adiabatic Charts, with the physical archive collection beginning primarily in the 1930s and ending in the mid 1990s and represents stations located throughout the world. The major parameters presented are pressure (Mb), height of pressure level, temperature (degrees C), dew point depression (degrees C), wind direction, and wind speed (knots). In the mid-1970s, the plotting of adiabatic charts was transitioned from paper forms to digital records. Many of the records in the latter part of the collection are computer printouts rather than the historical analog forms of the early 20th century. The bulk of this collection is available only on microfilm.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI Physical Archive Collection: WBAN31
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00171
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00171
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • Microfilm
  • Paper
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 1929-01-01 to 1995-06-30
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • U.S. Upper Air Standard Levels
Publication Dates
    No administrative dates available
Data Presentation Form Hardcopy image - image archived in analog format
Dataset Progress Status Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose Adiabatic Charts are useful in understanding the movement of air in the atmosphere and its effect on precipitation.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • United States Air Force
  • United States Navy
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • United States Navy
Collaborators
  • United States Air Force
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Barometric Altitude
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Planetary Boundary Layer Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Tropopause
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Station Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Rain Storms
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Planetary Boundary Layer Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Pressure Thickness
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Boundary Layer Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Boundary Layer Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Vertical Profiles > Inversion Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Atmospheric Stability
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Flight Level Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Boundary Layer Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Convection
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Dynamics > Wind Shear
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Total Precipitable Water
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Pressure
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Wind Speed And Direction
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • PIBAL > Pilot Balloons
  • BALLOONS
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Barometers
  • Thermometers
  • HUMIDITY SENSORS
  • Anemometers
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
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 Charts created by the weather bureau using data returned from instruments on radiosonde or rawinsonde.
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.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • BAROMETERS
  • THERMOMETERS
  • HUMIDITY SENSORS
  • ANEMOMETERS
  • RADIOSONDES
Platform
  • RADIOSONDES
  • BALLOONS
Last Modified: 2023-09-07
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov