ASOS Surface 5-Minute Data (DSI-6401, DSI-6401b)
Entry ID:
gov.noaa.ncdc.C00418
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Summary
Abstract:
ASOS Surface 5-Minute Data is digital data set DSI-6401 and DSI-6401b archived at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC).The National Weather Service (NWS) describes ASOS this way: "The Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) program is a joint effort of the National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Department of Defense (DOD). The ASOS system serves ... as the nations primary surface weather observing network. ASOS is designed to support weather forecast activities and aviation operations and, at the same time, support the needs of the meteorological, hydrological, and climatological research communities. With the largest and most modern complement of weather sensors, ASOS has significantly expanded the information available to forecasters and the aviation community. The ASOS network has more than doubled the number of full-time surface weather observing locations. ASOS works non-stop, updating observations every minute, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Getting more information on the atmosphere, more frequently and from more locations is the key to improving forecasts and warnings. Thus, ASOS information will help the NWS to increase the accuracy and timeliness of its forecasts and warnings--the overriding goal of the NWS modernization. The primary concern of the aviation community is safety, and weather conditions often threaten that safety. A basic strength of ASOS is that critical aviation weather parameters are measured where they are needed most: airport runway touchdown zone(s). ASOS detects significant changes, disseminating hourly and special observations via the networks. Additionally, ASOS routinely and automatically provides computer-generated voice observations directly to aircraft in the vicinity of airports, using FAA ground-to-air radio. These messages are also available via a telephone dial-in port. ASOS observes, formats, archives and transmits observations automatically. ASOS transmits a special report when conditions exceed preselected weather element thresholds, e.g., the visibility decreases to less than 3 miles. Reports basic weather elements: Sky condition: cloud height and amount (clear, scattered, broken, overcast) up to 12,000 feet; Visibility (to at least 10 statute miles); Basic present weather information: type and intensity for rain, snow, and freezing rain; Obstructions to vision: fog, haze; Pressure: sea-level pressure, altimeter setting; Ambient temperature, dew point temperature; Wind: direction, speed and character (gusts, squalls); Precipitation accumulation; Selected significant remarks including- variable cloud height, variable visibility, precipitation beginning/ending times, rapid pressure changes, pressure change tendency, wind shift, peak wind. DSI-6401 and DSI-6401b both contain data from stations in the United States of America including Alaska and Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. The earliest data available is July 1996. There are actually two archived data sets that differ somewhat in archival format: DSI-6401 and DSI-6401b. The former is data archived through July 1998; the latter is data after July 1998. 
Purpose:
To make a wide range of climatic data available to researchers and the public.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: data set
CURRENTNESS REFERENCE: Ground Condition
Related URL
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Description:
View Source Metadata document from the Metadata Manager and Repository (NMMR).
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Geographic Coverage
(Click for Interactive Map)
Spatial coordinates
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N: 72.0
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S: 15.0
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E: -60.0
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W: 170.0
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Data Set Citation
Dataset Originator/Creator:
National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Dataset Title:
ASOS Surface 5-Minute Data (DSI-6401, DSI-6401b)
Dataset Release Date:
Unknown
Data Presentation Form:
tabular digital data
Online Resource:
http://205.156.54.206/asos/
Data Resolution
Temporal Resolution:
5 Minute
Temporal Resolution Range:
1 minute - < 1 hour
Quality
ATTRIBUTE ACCURACY REPORT: Not provided
LOGICAL CONSISTENCY REPORT: Unknown
COMPLETENESS REPORT: Completeness information not available.
LINEAGE/PROCESS STEP:
PROCESS DESCRIPTION: Unknown
PROCESS DATE: Unknown
Access Constraints
ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: None
DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY: Every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of current NOAA quality control procedures. NOAA can only certify that the data provided to its customers is an authentic copy of the records which were accepted for inclusion in NOAA archives. NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.
Use Constraints
None
Data Set Progress
IN WORK
Personnel
Role:
DIF AUTHOR
Phone:
828-271-4800
Fax:
828-271-4876
Email:
ncdc.orders at noaa.gov
Contact Address:
151 Patton Avenue, Room 120
City:
Asheville
Province or State:
NC
Postal Code:
28801-5001
Country:
USA
Creation and Review Dates
DIF Creation Date:
2006-06-27
Last DIF Revision Date:
2011-07-21
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