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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Global BUFR Data Stream: Upper Air Reports from the National Weather Service Telecommunications Gateway (NWS TG)

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These are raw radiosonde and pilot balloon observations taken from various locations at various times around the globe transmitted through the National Weather Service Telecommunications Gateway (NWSTG) in a World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Binary Universal Form for the Representation of meteorological data (BUFR) format beginning in May 2017. Variables include Temperature, humidity, Wind direction and speed, pressure, height, elapsed time and position displacement since launch, and some metadata. Vertical and temporal resolution varies.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 6327_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C01500
gov.noaa.ncdc:C01500
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Distribution Formats
  • BUFR
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 2017-03-01 to Present (time interval: 12-hour)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 83.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2017-03-01
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Daily
Purpose Uses are the same as for all radiosonde data: weather forecasting, initialization and verification of models and reanalyses, validation of observations from satellites and other observing platforms, atmospheric process studies, and various commercial applications.
Use Limitations
  • The quality and completeness of observations varies over time and in space.
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
Principal Investigators
  • 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 Temperature > Upper Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Vertical Profiles
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Upper Air Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Geopotential Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure
Keyword Thesaurus Title
  • Irga
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/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • RADIOSONDES
  • BALLOONS
  • PIBAL > Pilot Balloons
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • RADIOSONDES
  • RAWINSONDES
  • BBSS > Balloon-Borne Sounding System
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Hourly - < Daily
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
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 These are radiosonde and pilot balloon observations that were taken at stations from around the globe, converted to BUFR and transmitted over the GTS by the ground processing systems at those stations, and received, repackaged, and transmitted to NCEI at the NWS Telecommunication Gateway at NCEP.
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
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov