gov.noaa.ncdc:C00616 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 2025-07-11T20:16:09 ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA), Version 1 (Superseded) 2004-09 publication Version 1.0 NCEI DSI 6351_01 NCEI DSI 6351_02 gov.noaa.ncdc:C00616 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information publisher NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +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 8:00 - 6:00 Eastern originator NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +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NC 28801-5001 USA ncei.orders@noaa.gov 8:00 - 6:00 Eastern author tableDigital **Please note, this dataset has been superseded by a newer version (see below). Users should not use this version except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used this version).**Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive is a digital data set archived at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) consists of radiosonde and pilot balloon observations at over 1500 globally distributed stations. Observations are available for standard, surface, tropopause and significant levels. Variables include: Pressure, Temperature, Geopotential Height, Dewpoint, Depression, Wind Direction, and Wind Speed. The period of record varies from station to station, with many extending from 1905 to 2016. Station records for version 1 are available by contacting NCEI Customer Support. IGRA data originate from 11 different sources and have passed through a set of rigorous quality assurance procedures. To make a wide range of climatic data available to researchers and the public. 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 notPlanned https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C00975-8.png Upper air balloon PNG Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Pressure Tendency Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Pressure Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Geopotential Height Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Tropopause Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Dew Point Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Temperature Tendency Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Dew Point Temperature Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Tendency Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds > Flight Level Winds 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 Geographic Region > Global 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 > Stratosphere 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 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 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. otherRestrictions **This version has been superseded by a newer version. It is highly recommended for users to access the current version. Users should only access this superseded version for special cases, such as reproducing studies. If necessary, this version can be accessed by contacting NCEI.** Overview of the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive 2006-01-01 publication Durre, I. originator R. S. Vose originator D. B. Wuertz originator https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/abs/10.1175/JCLI3594.1 HTTPS Web Browser Overview of the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive Overview of the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive IGRA 1. information Journal of Climate 19 crossReference sciencePaper A Digitized Metadata Set of Global Upper-Air Station Histories 1996-02-01 publication Environmental Research Laboratories author https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/images/gaffen1996.pdf HTTPS Web Browser A Digitized Metadata Set of Global Upper-Air Station Histories Information on IGRA Metadata information Journal of Climate 19 crossReference sciencePaper Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) - Monthly Means (Version Superseded) publication NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information author https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/metadata/geoportal/rest/metadata/item/gov.noaa.ncdc:C00617/html HTTPS Landing Page NCEI Landing Page for Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) - Monthly Means (Version Superseded) Related dataset landing page. information Journal of Climate 19 crossReference collection Enhanced radiosonde data for studies of vertical structure 2008 publication American Meteorological Society author http://www.jstor.org/stable/26220887 HTTP Web Browser Enhanced radiosonde data for studies of vertical structure Durre, I., and X. Yin, 2008: Enhanced radiosonde data for studies of vertical structure. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 89(9), 1257-1262. information crossReference sciencePaper eng; USA climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere -180.00 180.00 -90.00 90.00 1905 2016 Header Record Format: Each record consists of an identification or header portion followed by a variable number of data portions, each of which contains data for one atmospheric level. Note that the format stored in NCDCs archive provides return characters only at the end of each sounding, whereas the IGRA files available via FTP provide each identification and data record on a separate line. Station Number The five-digit WMO number with a "0" appended as the sixth digit. Position 2-6 999999 000000 Whole integers Whole integers Month The month expressed at the hour of observation. Position 11-12 12 01 Months Months Day The numeric day expressed at the hour of observation (UTC). Position 13-14 31 01 Days Days Hours The hour (24-hour clock) of observation (UTC). For many records after 1990, the hour of observation is the nearest whole hour to the time of release, H-30 to H+29 minutes. In other records, the hour of observation tends to be the nominal hour (e.g., 00 or 12 UTC) nearest to the release time. Position 15-16 23 00 Hours Hours Release Time The hour and minute UTC (24-hour clock) of the actual release time expressed as HHMM where HH = hour and MM = minutes. Position 17-20 2359 0000 Hours and Minutes Hours and Minutes Number of Levels This is the number of data levels found in the sounding. Position 21-24 9999 1 N/A N/A Header Record Indicator The "#" sign will indicate the beginning of each new record. Position 1 #: Indicates the beginning of each new record. Year The year expressed at the hour of observation (UTC). Position 7-10 1938: Range of values is 1938 through the current year processed. Release Time The hour and minute UTC (24-hour clock) of the actual release time expressed as HHMM where HH = hour and MM = minutes. Position 17-20 9999: Missing Data Record Format: Each record consists of an identification or header portion followed by a variable number of data portions, each of which contains data for one atmospheric level. Note that the format stored in NCDCs archive provides return characters only at the end of each sounding, whereas the IGRA files available via FTP provide each identification and data record on a separate line. Pressure Value Atmospheric pressure at the current level in pascals (0.01 millibars). Position 3-8 110000 10 Pascals Pascals Geopotential Height Geopotential height of the current level in whole geopotential meters (MSL); below mean sea level heights are expressed as a negative number. Position 10-14 70000 -1000 Meters Meters Temperature Value The air temperature at the current level in degrees and tenths Celsius. Position 16-20 700 -1200 Degrees C * 10 Degrees C * 10 Dewpoint Depression The dew-point depression at the current level in tenths of degrees Celsius. Position 22-26 700 0 Degrees Celsius Degrees Celsius Wind Direction Value Direction of the wind at the current level in whole degrees (nearest five degrees for observations received through GTS). Direction is 0 when wind is calm. Position 27-31 360 0 Degrees Degrees Wind Speed Value Speed of the wind in meters per second and tenths. Position 32-36 1500 0 Meters/Second Meters/Second Major Level Type Denotes the primary type of the current data level. Position 1 1: Standard pressure level 2: Significant thermodynamic level 3: Additional wind level Minor Level Type Denotes the secondary type of the current data level. Position 2 1: Surface 2: Tropopause 0: Other Pressure Value Atmospheric pressure at the current level in pascals (0.01 millibars). Position 3-8 -9999: Missing Pressure Flag Indicates the level of quality control through which the associated pressure has passed. For details on the types of checks applied, see Durre et al. (2005). Position 9 A: Pressure passed gross climatology check B: Pressure passed advanced (45-day climatology) quality control checks Blank: Pressure past basic quality control checks (if value present); a blank is also used when the associated pressure value is missing or has been removed (i.e., the pressure value is -8888 or -9999). Geopotential Height Geopotential height of the current level in whole geopotential meters (MSL); below mean sea level heights are expressed as a negative number. Position 10-14 -9999: Value is missing -8888: Value has been removed during the quality control process, yet other valuable data remain available at the current level. Geopotential Height Flag Indicates the level of quality control through which the associated geopotential height has passed. For details on the types of checks applied, see Durre et al. (2005). Position 15 A: Height passed gross climatology check B: Height passed advanced (45-day climatology) quality control checks Blank: Height past basic quality control checks (if value present); a blank is also used when the associated geopotential height value is missing or has been removed (i.e., the height value is -8888 or -9999). Temperature Value The air temperature at the current level in degrees and tenths Celsius. Position 16-20 -9999: Value is missing -8888: Value has been removed during the quality control process, yet other valuable data remain available at the current level. Temperature Flag Indicates the level of quality control through which the associated temperature has passed. For details on the types of checks applied, see Durre et al. (2005). Position 21 A: Temperature passed gross climatology check B: Temperature passed advanced (45-day climatology and vertical/temporal consistency) quality control checks Blank: Temperature past basic quality control checks (if value present); a blank is also used when the associated temperature value is missing or has been removed (i.e., the temperature value is -8888 or -9999). Dewpoint Depression The dew-point depression at the current level in tenths of degrees Celsius. Position 22-26 -9999: Value is missing -8888: Value has been removed during the quality control process, yet other valuable data remain available at the current level. Wind Direction Value Direction of the wind at the current level in whole degrees (nearest five degrees for observations received through GTS). Direction is 0 when wind is calm. Position 27-31 -9999: Value is missing -8888: Value has been removed during the quality control process, yet other valuable data remain available at the current level. Wind Speed Value Speed of the wind in meters per second and tenths. Position 32-36 -9999: Value is missing -8888: Value has been removed during the quality control process, yet other valuable data remain available at the current level. 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. XML ASCII https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/metadata/geoportal/rest/metadata/item/gov.noaa.ncdc:C00616/html HTTPS Landing Page NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset. information https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/customer-support HTTPS Web Browser NCEI Customer Support NCEI provides customers with information and data from the NCEI archive. To order NCEI products and services contact the customer support team. order https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/weather-balloon/integrated-global-radiosonde-archive HTTPS Information Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) Description of the data and related resources. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/nerms/Home HTTPS Information NERMS Image Access System NERMS Information and Data Access Page. Information found under the TD-6351 identifier. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/igra/status.txt HTTPS Documentation Dataset STATUS Please refer to STATUS document for the most up-to-date information about the dataset status. information dataset The following data problems have come to our attention and will be addressed during future enhancements of the IGRA quality-control system: a. Geopotential heights prior to 1950 at some Russian stations were expressed in geometric meters rather than geopotential meters in the relevant source dataset Global Upper Air CARDS DSI-6310 (C00553). b. At certain stations during certain months, wind speed may be incorrectly reported in knots or in hundredths of meters per second. c. The level indicators identifying tropopause levels should be used with caution since these identifications have not been quality-controlled, but occasionally have suspicious characteristics. For example, there are cases in which levels in the lower troposphere or middle to upper stratosphere are identified as tropopause levels. For the most up-to-date information on the status of the dataset, see the status report at www1.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/igra/status.txt. Unknown Monthly means computed from IGRA are available in Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive Monthly Means DSI-6352 (C00617). 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 asNeeded Bulk metadata change applied on 2023-06-23. See version control repository history for metadata change details. > RADIOSONDES RADIOSONDES