The NOAAPORT broadcast contains an array of
raw data as well as processed information created by the National Weather
Service for use by its Weather Forecast Offices. Each type of data and product
is identified by a unique header, which allows a data recipient to sort the
the contents of the broadcast and to arrange the storage of only those data
that are wanted. For more information on these codes, see various documents
prepared by the Publications
Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology. Most of the data is
encoded and requires decoding before it can be displayed; many of the products
created by the National Weather Service are textual bulletins that can be
read without decoding.
Described briefly, data in this category is
comprise of:
- Surface observations - encoded observations
taken at the earth's surface by both automated systems and by people. Most
observations are taken hourly; some are taken only every three hours. Surface
data includes data from buoys that may be moored or drifting..
- Upper-air observations - encoded observations
taken by balloon-borne instruments (radiosondes) or by humans tracking the
movement of balloons.
- Pilot reports - encoded observations taken
by pilots on commercial aircraft.
- Ships of opportunity - encoded observations
taken intermittently by various ships.
- Bulletins - text reports prepared for the
public by the Weather Forecast Offices. These for the basis of most of the
weather reports heard or read by the public. They also include watches and
warnings about predicted weather events.
- Forecast discussions - text reports prepared
by and for operational forecasters discussing the variables considered in
developing a particular forecast.
