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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Ocean Station Vessel

Weather Ships

browse graphicAtlantic Ocean Station Vessels
Ocean Station Vessels (OSV) or Weather Ships captured atmospheric conditions while being stationed continuously in a single location. While While most of the collection Navy vessels would go to a specified coordinate, stay for variable lengths of time, and record weather and meteorological observations. The collection begins in 1940, at the onset of WWII, when meteorological observations in the Atlantic Ocean were critical for military strategy in the Eastern theatre. While the vast majority of the collection derives from United States Navy and Coast Guard vessels, Ocean Station Vessels were considered an international cooperation, and there are a few non-United States ships included as well. Beginning in the 1960s, satellites and buoys capturing climatological data began to replace Ocean Station Vessels, almost completely phasing out the use of these ships by the mid-1970s. The collection includes a significant quantity of upper air observations on microfilm as well as paper transmittances describing instrument statistics, abnormalities, and basic reporting.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI Physical Archive Collection: OSV
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01207
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01207
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 1940-01-01 to 1980-05-10
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: 25.0
North: 77.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
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
Supplemental Information
Many of these observations were keyed by the archive into Card Decks (184, 116, and others) in the 1960s. These collections have since been incorporated into other Marine datasets available from the Archive, but is primarily found in DSI 1160.
Purpose Provides a stationary, in situ reference point for meteorological observations in the ocean. The information was used by commercial, military, and civilian organizations to track weather and storm systems over the ocean before satellite observations were commonplace.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOD/USNAVY > U.S. Navy, U. S. Department of Defense
  • DHS/CG > U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Originators
  • DOD/USNAVY > U.S. Navy, U. S. Department of Defense
  • DHS/CG > U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Collaborators
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Upper-air Temperature
  • 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
  • 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
  • Ocean Platforms
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > Radiosondes
  • Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Passive Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > Rawinsondes
  • Thermometers
  • Rain Gauges
  • Wind Vanes
  • Barometers
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Ocean > Arctic Ocean
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
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 Observations were collected by the U.S. Navy (through WWII) and the U.S. Coast Guard in conjunctions with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Data were then transferred to the Archive for long-term storage.
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
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