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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NCEP-GTS Marine Observations in IMMA format

The Global Telecommunications System (GTS) is a major component of transmitting global meteorological data, consisting of both in situ and satellite observations. This data is collected by a number of organizations, which archive and further process the data. The National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) collect this GTS data and format it into BUFR (Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data) for their processing needs. After processing, the BUFR is transmitted to NCAR for archival and additional processing into the International Maritime Meteorological Archive (IMMA) format for the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS). NCAR also archives this IMMA-formatted data. NCDC will use these data as source input for the new ICOADS Near-Real-Time (NRT) product and will archive the two data streams from NCAR--the NCEP-BUFR data as well as IMMA (International Maritime Meteorological Archive) formatted data files (converted from the NCEP-BUFR file format) that are produced by NCAR. The IMMA format has been adopted by many organizations as the preferred format for marine observations. The data consists of basic observations taken from ships, buoys, C-MAN (Coastal Marine Automated Network), and tide-gauge stations. Observations may include: air and sea surface temperature, wind direction/speed, waves, sea level pressure, etc.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 1177_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00873
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00873
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • Unix compressed file
  • PDF
  • XML
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 2008-01-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180
East: 180
South: -90
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • BUFRLIB Software User Guide - Web site provides downloads and resources for BUFR format.
  • Manaul on Codes - Document describes general overview of BUFR format
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-08-20
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Planned - fixed date has been established upon or by which the data will be created or updated
Data Update Frequency Monthly
Purpose This format was used to develop the ICOADS-NRT product (see http://icoads.noaa.gov) created and maintained by NCDC--this source of GTS data from NCEP fills in gaps in the data received by NCDC's GTS stream and also enables Quality Control Checks for the ICOADS-NRT product. The NCEP GTS data is a significant input source for the new ICOADS NRT product and archiving these files is very important in the case a monthly NRT file needs to be reproduced
Cited Authors
  • UCAR/NCAR/CISL/DSS > Data Support Section, Computational and Information Systems Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Originators
  • UCAR/NCAR/CISL/DSS > Data Support Section, Computational and Information Systems Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
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 > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Air Quality > Visibility
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Sea Level Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Types
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Frequency
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Swells
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Period
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Height
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Speed/Direction
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Pressure Tendency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Height
  • Earth Science > Cryosphere > Sea Ice > Sea Ice Concentration
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
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Meteorological Station
  • Buoys
  • Ocean Platforms
  • COASTAL STATIONS
  • C-MAN > Coastal Marine Network
  • Ships
  • MOORINGS
  • Buoys
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Anemometers
  • Barometers
  • Thermometers
  • Thermometers
  • hygrometer
  • Pressure Gauges
  • Visual Observations
  • Wave Height Gauges
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Ocean
  • Geographic Region > Global
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
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.
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 are reformatted from observations received from the NCEP-GTS Marine Data stream.
Processing Steps
  • Re-formatting BUFR (Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data) into International Maritime Meteorological Archive (IMMA) format for the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set (ICOADS)
Source Datasets
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
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