OVERVIEW

The CD-ROM archive is produced jointly by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) and the Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL).  NCDC provides the data in a standard format.  These data undergo extensive gross error and consistency checks at FSL before being incorporated into a randomly accessible compressed data archive developed at FSL.  The entire archive (currently 1900-1997 available on 2 CDs), individual CD's, or annual updates to the second CD can be ordered by contacting NCDC customer service (828-271-4800) or ordered through NCDC's online store.

STATION HISTORY

The station history is an integral part of the HPD archive.  Information contained in the station history are required for output of data.  As a result, a daily record will not be output unless a corresponding entry for that date exists in the station history file.

Extensive work has been done to develop a HPD specific station history based on an inventory of the data, and the list of cooperative stations from NCDC's master station list.  The result of this work has reduced the number of station history entries from 93,290 to 14341 entries.  This reduction improves access to the HPD data and provides the user of the data with both a useful data inventory, and an accurate reference for station identification.

We strive to maintain an updated station history by tracking changes of location, station identifiers and dates station moves as they occur.  You are encouraged to update your copy of the station history file (last update August 1998) frequently.  The column entries for this file are:

station identifier, start time, end time, latitude, longitude, elevation, time offset to UTC, station name, and state.

Finally, we value your feedback on possible corrections to this file when a station moves or our information is incorrect.

CD-ROM ACCESS SOFTWARE

Since the CD-ROM data is stored in binary, a database access routine was been written to speed your access to the observations needed.  The user can select for output to the screen, or file: a single station or multiple  stations for a defined time period, all stations in a selected number of states or all stations within a specified geographic region in either synoptic or station sort.  Data can be output in 4 currently supported data formats:   NCDC's original 3240 format,  a more readable FSL short format, an hourly filled FSL format, and a graphical friendly JAVA format.

Users are encouraged to access the completely downward compatible software targetted for UNIX systems in the links given below.  After downloading the access software you will need to un-tar the file.  Then view the README file for more information on running this software on your system.  Note:  A Java aware browser will be required to graphically display the data.

Access Software Version 2.8

SUN_Solaris	Linux	DOS
IBM_AIX	SGI_IRIX	HP_UX

Access Software Version 2.10

SUN_Solaris

Linux

NOTE: The DOS distribution is only available for 32 bit systems. Users of the DOS software must first un-zip the file using WinZip or PKWARE and retain sub-directories ("-d" option for PKWARE). Then run the program in a DOS window.  View the README file contained in the distribution for more details.

SOFTWARE BUGS: Every effort is made to respond to bug reports promptly. Information about access software upgrades and bug fixes are available online. Please report any additional bugs or problems you have to Mark Govett mark.w.govett@noaa.gov or Edward Tollerud edward.tollerud@noaa.gov.

Prepared by: Mark Govett, Mark.W.Govett@noaa.gov





Last modified: Mon 23 Aug 2007