Unidata - To provide the data services, tools, and cyberinfrastructure leadership that advance Earth system science, enhance educational opportunities, and broaden participation. Unidata
    •      
  advanced  
 

Trip Report - National Climatic Data Center (NCDC)-Asheville, NC

8 November 1999 - Linda Miller

Dave Fulker and I were invited to NCDC to exchange information and future plans of both organizations. Attending the discussions from NCDC were:

Tom Karl, Director
Ken Davidson, Deputy Director
Gus Shumbera, World Data Centre
Glenn Rutledge, NDARS (joined us later)

Brief overview of NCDC included the following points:

The main issues discussed during the visit centered on:

  1. Policies and roles of the organizations
  2. NOAAPort Data Archive Receiving System (NDARS)
  3. UCAR International Affiliates access to NCDC data archives (on behalf of UCAR)

Policies and Roles

The issue of accessing the GVAR satellite data via SSEC was discussed, per the Users Committee resolution:

"The Unidata Users Committee, representing users at more than 100 universities in the U.S., encourages Unidata to pursue free access to the GVAR archive at the University of Wisconsin/SSEC. We believe that this will result in significant research opportunities and foster growth of satellite meteorology education at universities. We hope that all parties can reach an agreement that will allow free access to the archived data by Unidata sites."

It was agreed that consideration should be given to creating an interagency group (lower than the National Research Council, but high enough to address funding, implementation, and access-policy issues) that will formulate a strategic approach to meeting research and education needs for archived environmental data. Dave agreed to talk with Cliff Jacobs and others about potential NSF interest and participation in such a group.

NDARS

The NDARS project is a "proof of concept" project where NCDC, COMET, FSL and Unidata have collaborated to provide the AWIPS data stream to NCDC. FSL has been archiving all AWIPS (NOAAPort) data for the NWS. They are working with NCDC to transfer the technology to NCDC to enable them to take over the responsibility of the data archive. COMET has provided input for their needs for training, including the creation of COMET case studies. Unidata provided training for the LDM and has provided consulting with the LDM. NCDC has become a "cooperative endeavor" at Unidata and will be downloading the GEMPAK/N-AWIPS software. Funding for the implementation of this project is pending from NWS/AWIPS Program Office.

UCAR International Affiliates Access to NCDC

UCAR President, Rick Anthes, had requested that we discuss options for access to NCDC's on-line resources by UCAR's International Affiliates, who are presently limited because of practices that pertain to WMO Resolution 40. We tentatively agreed on a plan whereby NCDC would grant access--comparable to that available for U.S. universities--if UCAR provides a list its Affiliates, with focal points and email addresses. It may be necessary to provide some assurances that the Affiliates will use the data solely for education and research. We agreed to discuss this plan with Rick Anthes and Susan Friberg at UCAR.

Miscellaneous

Linda Miller lmiller@unidata.ucar.edu

Questions or comments can be sent to lmiller@unidata.ucar.edu

Go to the Unidata Homepage.

 
 
  Contact Us   •   Site Map   •   Search   •   Terms and Conditions   •   Privacy Policy   •   Participation Policy
 
National Science Foundation (NSF) UCAR Office of Programs University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR)   Unidata is a member of the UCAR Office of Programs, is managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, and is sponsored by the National Science Foundation.
P.O. Box 3000   •   Boulder, CO 80307-3000 USA   •   Tel: 303-497-8643   •   Fax: 303-497-8690