gov.noaa.ncdc:C00345 eng; USA utf8 dataset NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact 2025-09-30T15:56:07 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 2 Base Data Weather Radar (Level II) 1991 publication gov.noaa.class:wxradar doi:10.7289/V5W9574V NCEI DSI 6500_12 NCEI DSI 6500_13 NCEI DSI 6500_14 NCEI DSI 6500_15 NCEI DSI 6500_99 gov.noaa.ncdc:C00345 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information publisher NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center 1200 Westheimer Drive Radar Operations Center, NOAA/NWS Norman OK 73069 USA originator NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center 1200 Westheimer Drive Radar Operations Center, NOAA/NWS Norman OK 73069 USA author imageDigital This dataset consists of Level II weather radar data collected from Next-Generation Radar (NEXRAD) stations located in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. territories and at military base sites. NEXRAD is a network of 160 high-resolution Doppler weather radars operated by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Doppler radars detect atmospheric precipitation and winds, which allow scientists to track and anticipate weather events, such as rain, ice pellets, snow, hail, and tornadoes, as well as some non-weather objects like birds and insects. NEXRAD stations use the Weather Surveillance Radar - 1988, Doppler (WSR-88D) system. This is a 10 cm wavelength (S-Band) radar that operates at a frequency between 2,700 and 3,000 MHz. The radar system operates in two basic modes: a slow-scanning Clear Air Mode (Mode B) for analyzing air movements when there is little or no precipitation activity in the area, and a Precipitation Mode (Mode A) with a faster scan for tracking active weather. The two modes employ nine Volume Coverage Patterns (VCPs) to adequately sample the atmosphere based on weather conditions. A VCP is a series of 360 degree sweeps of the antenna at pre-determined elevation angles and pulse repetition frequencies completed in a specified period of time. The radar scan times 4.5, 5, 6 or 10 minutes depending on the selected VCP. The NEXRAD products are divided into multiple data processing levels. The lower Level II data contain the three meteorological base data quantities at original resolution: reflectivity, mean radial velocity, and spectrum width. With the advent of dual polarization beginning in 2011, additional base products of differential reflectivity, correlation coefficient and differential phase are available. Level II data are recorded at all NWS and most USAF and FAA WSR-88D sites. From the Level II quantities, computer processing generates numerous meteorological analysis Level 3 products. NEXRAD data are acquired by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) for archiving and dissemination to users. Data coverage varies by station and ranges from June 1991 to 1 day from present. Most stations began observing in the mid-1990s, and most period of records are continuous. Level-2 NEXRAD data include three meteorological base data quantities: reflectivity, mean radial velocity, and spectrum width. With the advent of dual polarization beginning in 2011, additional base products of differential reflectivity, correlation coefficient and differential phase are available. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information Customer Engagement Branch 1-828-271-4800 1-828-271-4876 151 Patton Avenue Veach-Baley Federal Building, Room 468 Asheville NC 28801-5001 USA ncei.orders@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov HTTPS Web Browser NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) NCEI home page with information, data access and contact information. information 8:00 - 6:00 Eastern pointOfContact continual https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C00345_WSR-88d.gif WSR-88D RADAR GIF Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Doppler Velocity Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Radar Reflectivity Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Radar > Spectrum Width Earth Science > Spectral/Engineering > Sensor Characteristics > Viewing Geometry theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher Radar product Keyword Thesaurus Title Continent > North America > United States Of America Continent > Asia > Eastern Asia > South Korea Geographic Region > Mid-Latitude Geographic Region > Northern Hemisphere Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Azores Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Puerto Rico Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Gulf Of Mexico Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Guam Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Kiribati Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Bering Sea Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Gulf Of Alaska Ocean > Pacific Ocean > North Pacific Ocean > Okinawa Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > East China Sea Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Yellow Sea place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher Vertical Location > Boundary Layer Vertical Location > Land Surface Vertical Location > Troposphere stratum Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher NOAA OneStop Project project Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher In Situ Land-based Platforms > Weather Stations/Networks > Weather Stations platform Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Active Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > Radar Sounders > NEXRAD > NEXt Generation RADar Earth Remote Sensing Instruments > Active Remote Sensing > Profilers/Sounders > Radar Sounders > Doppler Radar instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher DOC/NOAA/NWS/ROC > Radar Operations Center, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2018 revision Version 8.6 Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) https://earthdata.nasa.gov/about/gcmd/global-change-master-directory-gcmd-keywords HTTPS Web Browser Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Keywords The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords. information publisher SAR otherRestrictions Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) Radar Operations Center (1991): NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level 2 Base Data. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5W9574V [access date]. otherRestrictions 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. otherRestrictions 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. Data Stewardship Maturity Report for NOAA Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) Level II Base Data 2021 publication NOAA Institutional Repository publisher https://doi.org/10.25923/b0k6-8z36 HTTPS Web Browser DSMR Publication at the NOAA Institutional Repository Report documenting the Scientific Data Stewardship Maturity for this dataset. information crossReference sciencePaper NEXRAD WSR-88D Interface Control Documents Radar Operations Center, National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce Norman OK publisher https://www.roc.noaa.gov/WSR88D/BuildInfo/Files.aspx HTTPS Web Browser NEXRAD WSR-88D Interface Control Documents The Interface Control Documents (ICDs) describe the data format specification for multiple WSR-88D Build Versions. information crossReference dataDictionary Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 11 - Doppler Radar Meteorological Observations (WSR-88D) https://www.icams-portal.gov/resources/ofcm/fmh/allfmh2.htm Web Browser Federal Meteorological Handbook No. 11 - Doppler Radar Meteorological Observations (WSR-88D) The Handbook defines standardized data management practices. information crossReference userGuide The WSR-88D and the WSR-88D Operational Support Facility 1993-09 publication doi:10.1175/1520-0477%281993%29074%3C1669%3ATWATWO%3E2.0.CO%3B2 American Meteorological Society Boston MA publisher Crum, T.D. author Alberty, R.L. author https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477%281993%29074%3C1669%3ATWATWO%3E2.0.CO%3B2 HTTPS Web Browser The WSR-88D and the WSR-88D Operational Support Facility AMS Journal Publication. information Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, Volume 74 Issue 9, pp. 1669-1687 pp. 1669-1687 crossReference sciencePaper History of Operational Use of Weather Radar by U.S. Weather Services. Part I: The Pre-NEXRAD Era 1998-06 publication doi:10.1175/1520-0434%281998%29013%3C0219%3AHOOUOW%3E2.0.CO%3B2 American Meteorological Society Boston MA publisher Whiton, R.C. author Smith, P.L. author Bigler, S.G. author Wilk, K.E. author Harbuck, A.C. author https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434%281998%29013%3C0219%3AHOOUOW%3E2.0.CO%3B2 HTTPS Web Browser History of Operational Use of Weather Radar by U.S. Weather Services. Part I: The Pre-NEXRAD Era AMS Journal Publication. information Weather and Forecasting, Volume 13 Issue 2, pp. 219-243 pp. 219-243 crossReference sciencePaper History of Operational Use of Weather Radar by U.S. Weather Services. Part II: Development of Operational Doppler Weather Radars 1998-06 publication doi:10.1175/1520-0434%281998%29013%3C0244%3AHOOUOW%3E2.0.CO%3B2 American Meteorological Society (AMS) (617) 227-2425 (617) 742-8718 45 Beacon Street Boston MA 02108-3693 USA amsinfo@ametsoc.org publisher Whiton, R.C. author Smith, P.L. author Bigler, S.G. author Wilk, K.E. author Harbuck, A.C. author https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434%281998%29013%3C0244%3AHOOUOW%3E2.0.CO%3B2 HTTPS Web Browser History of Operational Use of Weather Radar by U.S. Weather Services. Part II: Development of Operational Doppler Weather Radars AMS Journal Publication. information Weather and Forecasting, Volume 13 Issue 2, pp. 244-252 pp. 244-252 crossReference sciencePaper NOAA Big Data Project (BDP) 2015-01-01 publication DOC/NOAA > National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration originator https://data-alliance.noaa.gov/ HTTPS Web Browser NOAA Big Data Project Information on the NOAA Big Data Project and its collaborators. information largerWorkCitation project eng; USA climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere 124.0 -64.0 11.0 68.0 1991-06-05 During 2008, the WSR-88D radars were upgraded to produce increased spatial resolution data, called Super Resolution. The earlier (Legacy Resolution) data before 2008 provides radar reflectivity at 1.0 degree azimuthal by 1 km range gate resolution to a range of 460 km, and Doppler velocity and spectrum width at 1.0 degree azimuthal by 250 m range gate resolution to a range of 230 km. The upgraded Super Resolution data provides radar reflectivity at 0.5 degree azimuthal by 250 m range gate resolution to a range of 460 km, and Doppler velocity and spectrum width at 0.5 degree azimuthal by 250 m range gate resolution to a range of 300 km. Super resolution makes a compromise of slightly decreased noise reduction for a large gain in resolution. In 2010, the deployment of the Dual Polarization (Dual Pol) capability to NEXRAD sites began with the first operational Dual Pol radar in May 2011. Dual Pol radar capability adds vertical polarization to the previous horizontal radar waves, in order to more accurately discern the return signal. This allows the radar to better distinguish between types of precipitation (e.g., rain, hail and snow), improves rainfall estimates, improves data retrieval in mountainous terrain, and aids in removal of non-weather artifacts. Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata: Extensions for Remote Sensing Metadata - Appendix B, NOAA Data Product Levels 2002-10-09 publication FGDC-STD-012-2002 Federal Geographic Data Committee Secretariat c/o U.S. Geological Survey 590 National Center Reston VA 20192 publisher Standards Working Group, Federal Geographic Data Committee originator https://www.fgdc.gov/standards/projects/FGDC-standards-projects/csdgm_rs_ex/MetadataRemoteSensingExtens.pdf HTTPS Information Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata: Extensions for Remote Sensing Metadata, FGDC-STD-012-2002 The purpose of this standard is to provide extensions to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata for describing geospatial data obtained from remote sensing. information NOAA Level 2 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information distributor 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. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. Native Binary Unix Zip (.Z), GNU zip (.gz), or Bzip2 compression, and tape archive (.tar) may be applied to data files retrieved from the NCEI archive. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5W9574V HTTPS Landing Page NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/radar/next-generation-weather-radar HTTPS Information NCEI NEXRAD page Informational resources for NEXRAD Radar Data. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/search/data-search/weather-radar-level-ii HTTPS Data Search Application NCEI Data Search Search the data archive to submit an order via the interface or download files if available. search https://registry.opendata.aws/noaa-nexrad/ HTTPS Web Browser NEXRAD on Amazon Web Service (AWS) Amazon documentation for accessing the complete NEXRAD Level 2 archive on AWS S3 cloud storage. information https://unidata-nexrad-level2.s3.amazonaws.com/index.html HTTPS Download AWS S3 Explorer Browse the NEXRAD Level 2 archive via the AWS S3 Explorer. download https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/radar/ HTTPS Map Search Application NCEI GIS Map Viewer Dynamic GIS mapping application to locate stations and data for selected layers. search https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/nexradinv/ HTTPS Web Browser NCEI NEXRAD Data Inventory Search Search for radar data and estimated VCP mode by station ID, location, and date via a text-based interface. search https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/arcgis/rest/services/cdo/nexrad/MapServer HTTPS REST NCEI NEXRAD Map Server ArcGIS Server REST API for the dataset. download https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/arcgis/services/cdo/nexrad/MapServer/WMSServer?request=GetCapabilities&service=WMS HTTPS WMS NCEI NEXRAD WMS Web Map Service for the dataset. download https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/arcgis/services/cdo/nexrad/MapServer/WFSServer?request=GetCapabilities&service=WFS HTTPS WFS NCEI NEXRAD WFS Web Feature Service for the dataset. download https://gis.ncdc.noaa.gov/kml/nexrad.kmz HTTPS KML KMZ file for dataset Direct download link for KMZ file. download https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/radar/radar-display-conversion-tools HTTPS Web Browser NEXRAD Display and Conversion Tools Information on free visualization, analysis, and decoding tools for the radar data format. information dataset NEXRAD Level 2 data were collected by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS) and are archived by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). Radar signals are processed to Level 2 data at radar sites. repository NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 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. 2015-04-22T00:00:00 dataset Data Stewardship Data Stewardship Maturity Assessment MM-Stew The Data Stewardship Maturity Matrix (DSMM) is a unified framework that defines criteria for each of nine components based on measurable practices, which can be used to apply a progressive, 6-level rating to an individual dataset, representing stewardship maturity stages rated as Not Assessed or Not Available (Level 0), adHoc (Level 1), minimum (Level 2), intermediate (Level 3), advanced (Level 4), and optimal (Level 5). Data Stewardship Maturity Assessment was evaluated by the metadata content editor for the NOAA OneStop project using the Scientific Data Stewardship Maturity Assessment Model Template v4.0. The Scientific Data Stewardship Maturity Assessment Model Template 2016-11-28 publication NCDC-CICS-SMM_0001_Rev.1 v4.0 11/28/2016 doi:10.10.6084/m9.figshare.1211954 Peng, Ge CICS-NC/NCEI author https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.1211954 HTTPS Web Browser The Scientific Data Stewardship Maturity Assessment Model Template Landing page for quality evaluation procedure. information 2016-11-28T00:00:00 intermediate optimal intermediate optimal optimal advanced advanced advanced intermediate asNeeded Bulk metadata change applied on 2023-06-23. See version control repository history for metadata change details. NEXRAD > NEXt Generation RADar NEXRAD > NEXt Generation Weather RADar National Weather Service