Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

North America Synoptic Weather Maps

EV2 - North America Synoptic Weather Maps

browse graphicSample Image
Series of Synoptic Weather Maps. Maps contains a surface analysis comprised of plotted weather station observations, isobars indicating low and high-pressure features, and frontal features. They were produced by the National Meteorological Center (NMC) as the Weather Bureau evolved into ESSA and finally NOAA. Maps were created 2-8 times per day, though creation four times daily at 00z, 06, 12, and 18z was most common. The maps were scanned over a period of several years from microfilm by David Roth, a NOAA meteorologist at the Weather Prediction Center. The film is archived at the National Centers for Environmental Information in Asheville, North Carolina. The series began in 1953 and continues to the present, though this collection ends with the cessation of their conversion to microfilm in August 1995.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 3900_01
  • NCEI Physical Archive Collection: CHTNA
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01129
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01129
Full Text · XML
Search Data
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • PDF
  • Paper form / microfilm
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 Jason Cooper
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1953-01-01 to 1995-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: 0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2015-07-15
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose In the late 1990s NCDC realized the need to host digital images of weather and climate records on the internet. As a result, EV2 was developed as a key system for providing access to the millions of original source data images in the NCDC archives. With its upload and index capability, EV2 also enables the continuation of NCDC's commitment to make more of its weather and climate data available online so that users across the world can view climate and weather records held in the NCDC archives.
Use Limitations
  • Controlled user access to the EV2 system
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
Resource Providers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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 > Atmospheric Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Pressure
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Wind Speed And Direction
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
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Meteorological Stations
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Barometers
  • RADIOSONDES
  • RAWINSONDES
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Northern Hemisphere
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
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 The series began in 1953 and continues to the present, though this collection ends with the cessation of their conversion to microfilm in August 1995. Limited scanning activities at NCEI contribute to the image repository. Partnerships with other NOAA line offices and international weather services have contributed to the broad and global nature of digitally imaged records available from the NCDC.
Processor
  • NCDC Climate Data Modernization Program
Processing Steps
  • Scanned as JPG, TIF, or PDF. The series began in 1953 and continues to the present, though this collection ends with the cessation of their conversion to microfilm in August 1995.
    Rationale: To digitize collection in order to make available online.
Processing Environment Paper forms captured digitally using various types of scanning equipment. All forms were scanned using a minimum of 300 dpi (standard archive quality).
Source Datasets
  • North American Surface Charts (CHTNA)
    • North American Surface Charts (CHTNA)
      Search WebARTIS--collection CHTNA--for more detail about available data in the physical archives.
    • Description of Source: Paper forms held in the NCEI Physical Archive
    • Temporal extent used: 1953-01-01 to 1995-08-31
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: 2023-09-08
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov