BUFR TABLES RELATIVE TO SECTION 3 (Version 13) (updated 11 July 2007)

(For full operational use on 7 November 2007)

BUFR Table B - Classification of elements

See reference in

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

Note 4

Note 5

Note 6

Note 7

Note 8

Note 9

BUFR table entries
0
00
Identifies origin and type of data
Identification
0
01
Defines instrument types used
Instrumentation
0
02
Reserved
0
03
Defines time and time derivatives
Location (time)
0
04
Defines geographical position, including horizontal derivatives, in association with class 06 (first dimension of horizontal space)
Location (horizontal - 1)
0
05
Defines geographical position, including horizontal derivatives, in association with class 05 (second dimension of horizontal space)
Location (horizontal - 2)
0
06
Defines height, altitude, pressure level, including vertical derivatives of position
Location (vertical)
0
07
Defines special character of data
Significance qualifiers
0
08
Reserved
0
09
Height, altitude, pressure and derivatives observed or measured, not defined as a vertical location
Vertical elements and pressure
0
10
Wind speed, direction, etc.
Wind and turbulence
0
11
Temperature types at different precisions
Temperature
0
12
Humidity, rainfall, snowfall, etc.
Hygrographic and hydrological elements
0
13
Radiation and radiance
0
14
Physical/chemical constituents
0
15
Synoptic features
0
19
Defines present/past weather, special phenomena, etc.
Observed phenomena
0
20
Radar data
0
21
Oceanographic elements
0
22
Dispersal and transport
0
23
Radiological elements
0
24
Processing information
0
25
Defines time and time derivatives that are not coordinates
Non-coordinate location (time)
0
26
Defines geographical positions, in conjunction with class 28, that are not coordinates
Non-coordinate location (horizontal - 1)
0
27
Defines geographical positions, in conjunction with class 27, that are not coordinates
Non-coordinate location (horizontal - 2)
0
28
Map data
0
29
Image
0
30
Elements used in conjunction with data description operators
Data description operator qualifiers
0
31
Quality information
0
33
Data monitoring
0
35
Satellite data
0
40

(1) Where a code table or flag table is appropriate, "code table" or "flag table" respectively is entered in the UNITS column.

(2) The code tables and flag tables associated with Table B are numbered to correspond with the F, X and Y part of the table reference.

(3) To encode values into BUFR, the data (with units as specified in the UNITS column) must be multiplied by 10 to the power SCALE. Then subtract the REFERENCE VALUE to give the coded value found in Section 4 of the BUFR message. For example, a measured latitude is -45.76 degrees. The coarse accuracy descriptor is 0 05 002 and the encoded value is -45.76 x 102 - (-9000) = 4424.

(4) Where UNITS are given as CCITT IA5, data shall be coded as character data left justified within the field width indicated using CCITT International Alphabet No. 5, and blank filled to the full field width indicated.

(5) Classes 48 to 63 are reserved for local use; all other classes are reserved for future development.

(6) Entries 192 to 255 within all classes are reserved for local use.

(7) The use of local descriptors, as defined in Notes (5) and (6), in messages intended for non-local or international exchange is strongly discouraged. They should be kept to the barest minimum possible and must also be by-passed by the use of descriptor 2 06 YYY.

(8) First-order statistics are included in Table B only when they are produced, as such, by the observing system.

(9) In all flag tables within the BUFR specification, bits are numbered from 1 to N from the most significant to least significant within a data width of N bits, i.e. bit No.1 is the leftmost and bit No. N is the rightmost bit within the data width. The bit No. N (the least significant bit) is set to 1 only if all the bits are set to 1 within the data width of the flag table to represent a missing value.

Class 00 - BUFR/CREX table entries

See reference in

Note 1

Table A: entry
BTab_A_entry
0
00
001
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Table A: data category description, line 1
BTab_A_line1
0
00
002
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
Table A: data category description, line 2
BTab_A_line1
0
00
003
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
BUFR/CREX Master table

Note 2

BTab_master
0
00
004
CCITT IA5
0
0
16
Character
0
2
BUFR/CREX edition number
BTab_edition
0
00
005
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
BUFR Master table Version number

Note 3

BTab_BUFR_ver
0
00
006
CCITT IA5
0
0
16
Character
0
2
CREX Master table Version number

Note 4

BTab_BUFR_ver
0
00
007
CCITT IA5
0
0
16
Character
0
2
BUFR Local table version number

Note 5

BTab_BUFR_ver
0
00
008
CCITT IA5
0
0
16
Character
0
2
F descriptor to be added or defined
BTab_F
0
00
010
CCITT IA5
0
0
8
Character
0
1
X descriptor to be added or defined
BTab_X
0
00
011
CCITT IA5
0
0
16
Character
0
2
Y descriptor to be added or defined
BTab_Y
0
00
012
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Element name, line 1
BTab_elementLine1
0
00
013
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
Element name, line 2
BTab_elementLine2
0
00
014
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
Units name
BTab_unitsName
0
00
015
CCITT IA5
0
0
192
Character
0
24
Units scale sign
BTab_scaleSign
0
00
016
CCITT IA5
0
0
8
Character
0
1
Units scale
BTab_scale
0
00
017
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Units reference sign
BTab_referenceSign
0
00
018
CCITT IA5
0
0
8
Character
0
1
Units reference value
BTab_referenceValue
0
00
019
CCITT IA5
0
0
80
Character
0
10
Element data width
BTab_dataWidth
0
00
020
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Descriptor defining sequence
BTab_descriptorSeq
0
00
030
CCITT IA5
0
0
48
Character
0
6

(1) For CREX descriptors F = B, not 0.

(2) Master Tables are described in Note (2) to Section 1 of the BUFR regulations.

(3) BUFR Master Table Version Numbers are described in Notes (2) and (4) to Section 1 of the BUFR regulations for edition 3, and in Notes (2) and (5) to Section 1 of the BUFR regulations for edition 4.

(4) CREX Master Table Version Numbers are described in Note (1) to Section 1 of the CREX regulations.

(5) Local Table version number (see Note (2) to Section 1 of the BUFR regulations.

Class 01 - Identification

See reference in

WMO block number
BCID_WMOblock
0
01
001
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
2
WMO station number
BCID_WMOstation
0
01
002
Numeric
0
0
10
Numeric
0
3
WMO Region number/geographical area
BCID_WMOregion
0
01
003
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
WMO Region sub-area

Note 9

BCID_oldWMOsubArea
0
01
004
Numeric
0
0
3
Numeric
0
1
Buoy/platform identifier
BCID_buoyID
0
01
005
Numeric
0
0
17
Numeric
0
5
Aircraft flight number
BCID_flightID
0
01
006
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
Satellite identifier
BCID_satelliteID
0
01
007
Code table
0
0
10
Code table
0
4
Aircraft registration number or other identification
BCID_aircraftID
0
01
008
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
Type of commercial aircraft
BCID_aircraftType
0
01
009
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
Stationary buoy platform identifier; e.g. C-MAN buoys
BCID_fixedBuoy
0
01
010
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
Ship or mobile land station identifier
BCID_shipID
0
01
011
CCITT IA5
0
0
72
Character
0
9
Direction of motion of moving observing platform

Note 15

BCID_platformDirn
0
01
012
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Speed of motion of moving observing platform

Note 15

BCID_platformSpeed
0
01
013
m s-1
0
0
10
m s-1
0
3
Platform drift speed (high precision)
BCID_platformDrift
0
01
014
m s-1
2
0
10
m s-1
2
4
Station or site name
BCID_stationName
0
01
015
CCITT IA5
0
0
160
Character
0
20
Short station or site name
BCID_stationShortname
0
01
018
CCITT IA5
0
0
40
Character
0
5
Long Station or site name
BCID_stationLongName
0
01
019
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
WMO Region sub-area

Note 9

BCID_WMOsubArea
0
01
020
Numeric
0
0
4
Numeric
0
2
Synoptic feature identifier
BCID_synopticFeatureID
0
01
021
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
4
Name of feature

Note 11

BCID_synopticFeatureName
0
01
022
CCITT IA5
0
0
224
Character
0
28
Observation sequence number
BCID_obsSequenceNum
0
01
023
Numeric
0
0
9
Numeric
0
3
Storm identifier

Note 1

BCID_stormID
0
01
025
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
WMO storm name

Note 14

BCID_stormName
0
01
026
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
WMO long storm name

Note 2

Note 14

BCID_longStormName
0
01
027
CCITT IA5
0
0
80
Character
0
10
Numerical model identifier

Note 13

BCID_NWPmodelID
0
01
030
CCITT IA5
0
0
128
Character
0
16
Identification of originating/generating centre

Note 10

BCID_oldOriginCentreID
0
01
031
Code table
0
0
16
Code table
0
5
Generating application (Code table defined by originating/ generating centre)

Note 3

Note 4

Note 5

BCID_generatingApp
0
01
032
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Identification of originating/generating centre

Note 10

BCID_originCentreID
0
01
033
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Identification of originating/generating sub-centre

Note 10

BCID_subCentreID
0
01
034
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Originating Centre
BCID_originCentre
0
01
035
Common Code Table C-11
0
0
16
Common Code Table C-11
0
5
Agency in charge of operating the Observing platform
BCID_operatingAgency
0
01
036
Code table
0
0
20
Code table
0
7
SIGMET sequence identifier
BCID_SIGMETseqID
0
01
037
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Absolute platform velocity - first component

Note 6

Note 7

Note 8

BCID_platformAbsV_1
0
01
041
m s-1
5
-1073741824
31
m s-1
5
10
Absolute platform velocity - second component

Note 6

Note 7

Note 8

BCID_platformAbsV_2
0
01
042
m s-1
5
-1073741824
31
m s-1
5
10
Absolute platform velocity - third component

Note 6

Note 7

Note 8

BCID_platformAbsV_3
0
01
043
m s-1
5
-1073741824
31
m s-1
5
10
Platform transmitter ID number
BCID_transmitterNum
0
01
050
Numeric
0
0
17
Numeric
0
6
Platform transmitter ID number
BCID_transmitterID
0
01
051
CCITT IA5
0
0
96
Character
0
12
Aircraft reporting point (Beacon identifier)
BCID_beaconID
0
01
060
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
Short ICAO location indicator
BCID_ICAOshort
0
01
062
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
ICAO location indicator
BCID_ICAOlong
0
01
063
CCITT IA5
0
0
64
Character
0
8
Runway designator
BCID_runwayID
0
01
064
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
ICAO region identifier
BCID_ICAOregion
0
01
065
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
Tide station identification
BCID_tideStationID
0
01
075
CCITT IA5
0
0
40
Character
0
5
Ship line number according to SOOP
BCID_shipLineNum
0
01
080
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
Radiosonde serial number
BCID_sondeSerialID
0
01
081
CCITT IA5
0
0
160
Character
0
20
Radiosonde ascension number

Note 12

BCID_sondeAscentID
0
01
082
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
4
Radiosonde release number

Note 12

BCID_sondeReleaseID
0
01
083
Numeric
0
0
3
Numeric
0
1
Observing platform manufacturer's model
BCID_platformModelID
0
01
085
CCITT IA5
0
0
160
Character
0
20
Observing platform manufacturer's serial number
BCID_platformSerialID
0
01
086
CCITT IA5
0
0
256
Character
0
32
WMO Marine observing platform extended identifier
BCID_WMOmarineID
0
01
087
Numeric
0
0
23
Numeric
0
7
Technique for making up initial perturbations
BCID_initialPeturb
0
01
090
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Ensemble member number
BCID_ensembleNum
0
01
091
Numeric
0
0
10
Numeric
0
4
Type of ensemble forecast
BCID_ensembleType
0
01
092
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Balloon lot number
BCID_balloonLotID
0
01
093
CCITT IA5
0
0
96
Character
0
12
WBAN Number
BCID_WBAN
0
01
094
Numeric
0
0
17
Numeric
0
5
Observer identification
BCID_observerID
0
01
095
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
Station acquisition
BCID_stationAcquisition
0
01
096
CCITT IA5
0
0
160
Character
0
20

(1) The storm identifier (descriptor 0 01 025) has the following meaning: the first two characters shall be a numeric sequence number assigned by the originator of the message; the third character is a letter indicating the ocean basin where the storm is located, as follows:

>
W | NW Pacific Ocean
E | NE Pacific Ocean to 140°W
C | NE Pacific Ocean 140°W - 180°W
L | N Atlantic Ocean, including Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico
A | N Arabian Sea
B | Bay of Bengal
S | S Indian Ocean
P | S Pacific Ocean
F | RSMC Nadi's zone in South Pacific
U | Australia
O | South China Sea
T | East China Sea

There is no requirement that differing observers coordinate sequence numbers even though they both may be reporting the same storm.

(2) WMO storm name (descriptor 0 01 027): the storm name NAMELESS shall be used in those cases where an identifiable tropical disturbance has not reached tropical storm strength and has not been assigned an official name.

(3) Where a centre other than the originating centre generates quality information, replacement or substitute values, and/or statistical information, the centre may be indicated by using 0 01 033.

(4) A generating centre may wish to indicate a reference to the application that generated quality information, etc.; it may use descriptor 0 01 032 for this purpose. However, the corresponding code tables will vary from centre to centre.

(5) Code table 0 01 032 is to be generated by each centre.

(6) The components of absolute platform velocity (0 01 041, 0 01 042, 0 01 043) are defined as follows:

First component: | From the Earths centre to 0 degree longitude at the Equator: velocity of the platform along this line relative to the Earths centre.
Second component: | From the Earths centre to 90 degrees East longitude at the Equator: velocity of the platform along this line relative to the Earths centre.
Third component: | From the Earths centre to the North Pole: velocity of the platform along this line relative to the Earths centre.

(7) The values for descriptors 0 01 041, 0 01 042 and 0 01 043 have been chosen to be suitable for polar orbiting satellites in approximately Sun-synchronous orbits. Geostationary orbits would require greater data widths for distance and slightly less for speed.

(8) Left handed xyz axes have been chosen for descriptors 0 01 041, 0 01 042 and 0 01 043.

(9) Descriptor 0 01 020 should be used instead of 0 01 004 for encoding this element.

(10) Descriptor 0 01 033 shall be used instead of descriptor 0 01 031 for encoding originating/generating centre. Code table 0 01 034 is to be established by the associated originating/generating centre identified by descriptor 0 01 033 and provided to the Secretariat for publication.

(11) For 0 01 022, the character string representing the "Name of feature" should be of the form: "Type of phenomenon" - "Location or geographical name" (e.g.: "volcano - Popocatepetl", "oil fire - Kuwait")

(12) Descriptor 0-01-082 is to be used for reporting the sequential number of the current radiosonde reporting period (e.g. synoptic cycle) within a given year or other similar locally-defined length of time. Descriptor 0-01-083 is to be used in the case of multiple sequential radiosonde releases during a single reporting period (e.g. synoptic cycle), in order to indicate which particular release generated the corresponding data values.

(13) The value of this feature could be a string of characters, which contains the name of the model and other useful elements such as the model mesh.

(14) Descriptor 0 01 027 should be used instead of 0 01 026 to encode this element.

(15) Descriptors 0 01 012 and 0 01 013 may relate to parameters of various meanings and the corresponding values may be integrated on different periods.

Class 02 - Instrumentation

See reference in

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

Type of station
BCIn_station
0
02
001
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Type of instrumentation for wind measurement
BCIn_wind
0
02
002
Flag table
0
0
4
Flag table
0
2
Type of measuring equipment used
BCIn_equipment
0
02
003
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Type of instrumentation for evaporation measurement or type of crop for which evapotranspiration is reported
BCIn_evaporation
0
02
004
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Precision of temperature observation
BCIn_PrecisionTemp
0
02
005
K
2
0
7
K
2
3
Radiosonde type
BCIn_radiosonde
0
02
011
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Radiosonde computational method
BCIn_sondeComputation
0
02
012
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Solar and infrared radiation correction
BCIn_solarIRcorrect
0
02
013
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Tracking technique/status of system used
BCIn_tracking
0
02
014
Code table
0
0
7
Code table
0
3
Radiosonde completeness
BCIn_sondeComplete
0
02
015
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Radiosonde configuration
BCIn_sondeConfig
0
02
016
Flag table
0
0
5
Flag table
0
2
Satellite instruments

Note 6

BCIn_SatInstr
0
02
019
Code table
0
0
11
Code table
0
4
Satellite classification
BCIn_SatClass
0
02
020
Code table
0
0
9
Code table
0
3
Satellite instrument data used in processing

Note 8

BCIn_SatInstrData
0
02
021
Flag table
0
0
9
Flag table
0
3
Satellite data-processing technique used
BCIn_SatTechnique
0
02
022
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Satellite derived wind computation method
BCIn_SatWindMethod
0
02
023
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Integrated mean humidity computational method
BCIn_SatHumidityMethod
0
02
024
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Satellite channel(s) used in computation
BCIn_SatChannels
0
02
025
Flag table
0
0
25
Flag table
0
9
Cross track resolution
BCIn_crossTrack
0
02
026
m
2
0
12
m
2
4
Along track resolution
BCIn_alongTrack
0
02
027
m
2
0
12
m
2
4
Segment size at nadir in X direction
BCIn_segmentX
0
02
028
m
0
0
18
m
0
6
Segment size at nadir in Y direction
BCIn_segmentY
0
02
029
m
0
0
18
m
0
6
Method of current measurement
BCIn_currentMethod
0
02
030
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Duration and time of current measurement
BCIn_currentDuration
0
02
031
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Indicator for digitization
BCIn_digitization
0
02
032
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Method of salinity/depth measurement
BCIn_salinityMethod
0
02
033
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Drogue type
BCIn_drogue
0
02
034
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Cable length
BCIn_cableLength
0
02
035
m
0
0
9
m
0
3
Buoy type
BCIn_buoy
0
02
036
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Method of tidal observation
BCIn_tidalMethod
0
02
037
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Method of water temperature and/or salinity measurement
BCIn_
0
02
038
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Method of wet-bulb temperature measurement
BCIn_wetBulbMethod
0
02
039
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Method of removing velocity and motion of platform from current
BCIn_currentCorrection
0
02
040
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Method for estimating reports related to synoptic features
BCIn_synopticFeatureMethod
0
02
041
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Indicator for sea surface current speed
BCIn_surfaceCurrent
0
02
042
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Indicator for method of calculating spectral wave data
BCIn_spectralWaveMethod
0
02
044
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Indicator for type of platform
BCIn_platformType
0
02
045
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Wave measurement instrumentation
BCIn_waveInstr
0
02
046
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Satellite sensor indicator
BCIn_SatSensor
0
02
048
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Geostationary satellite data-processing technique used
BCIn_GeoSatTechnique
0
02
049
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Geostationary sounder satellite channels used
BCIn_GeoSatSounders
0
02
050
Flag table
0
0
20
Flag table
0
7
Indicator to specify observing method for extreme temperatures
BCIn_MaxMinTempMethod
0
02
051
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Geostationary imager satellite channels used
BCIn_GeoSatImagers
0
02
052
Flag table
0
0
6
Flag table
0
2
GOES-I/M brightness temperature characteristics
BCIn_GOESbrightness
0
02
053
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
GOES-I/M soundings parameter characteristics
BCIn_GOESsoundings
0
02
054
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Geostationary soundings statistical parameters
BCIn_GeoSatStatistics
0
02
055
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Geostationary soundings accuracy statistics
BCIn_GeoSatAccuracy
0
02
056
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Origin of first guess information for GOES-I/M soundings
BCIn_GOESfirstGuess
0
02
057
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Valid times of first guess information for GOES-I/M soundings
BCIn_GOESvalidTimes
0
02
058
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Origin of analysis information for GOES-I/M soundings
BCIn_GOESanalysis
0
02
059
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Origin of surface information for GOES-I/M soundings
BCIn_GOESsurface
0
02
060
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Aircraft navigational system
BCIn_AIRNAV
0
02
061
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Type of aircraft data relay system
BCIn_AIRrelay
0
02
062
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Aircraft roll angle
BCIn_AIRroll
0
02
063
Degree
2
-18000
16
Degree
2
5
Aircraft roll angle quality
BCIn_AIRrollQ
0
02
064
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
ACARS ground receiving station
BCIn_ACARSstation
0
02
065
CCITT IA5
0
0
40
Character
0
5
Radiosonde ground receiving system
BCIn_sondeReceive
0
02
066
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Radiosonde operating frequency
BCIn_sondeFreq
0
02
067
Hz
-5
0
15
Hz
-5
5
Original specification of latitude/longitude
BCIn_LatLonSpec
0
02
070
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Balloon manufacturer
BCIn_balloonMaker
0
02
080
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Type of balloon
BCIn_balloonType
0
02
081
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Weight of balloon
BCIn_balloonWeight
0
02
082
Kg
3
0
12
Kg
3
4
Type of balloon shelter
BCIn_balloonShelter
0
02
083
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Type of gas used in balloon
BCIn_balloonGas
0
02
084
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Amount of gas used in balloon
BCIn_balloonGasAmount
0
02
085
Kg
3
0
13
Kg
3
4
Balloon flight train length
BCIn_balloonTrainLength
0
02
086
m
1
0
10
m
1
4
Entry sensor 4/20 mA
BCIn_entrySensor
0
02
091
A
4
0
10
A
4
3
Type of pressure sensor
BCIn_pressureSensor
0
02
095
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Type of temperature sensor
BCIn_tempSensor
0
02
096
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Type of humidity sensor
BCIn_humiditySensor
0
02
097
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Radar constant

Note 9

BCIn_radarConst
0
02
100
dB
1
0
12
dB
1
4
Type of antenna
BCIn_antennaType
0
02
101
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Antenna height above tower base
BCIn_antennaHeight
0
02
102
m
0
0
8
m
0
3
Radome
BCIn_radome
0
02
103
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
Antenna polarisation
BCIn_antennaPolarisation
0
02
104
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Maximum antenna gain
BCIn_antennaMaxGain
0
02
105
dB
0
0
6
dB
0
2
3-dB beamwidth
BCIn_beamwidth
0
02
106
Degree
1
0
6
Degree
1
2
Sidelobe suppression
BCIn_sideLobe
0
02
107
dB
0
0
6
dB
0
2
Crosspol discrimination (on axis)
BCIn_crosspol
0
02
108
dB
0
0
6
dB
0
2
Antenna speed (azimuth)
BCIn_antennaVazimuth
0
02
109
Degree s-1
2
0
12
Degree s-1
2
4
Antenna speed (elevation)
BCIn_antennaVelevation
0
02
110
Degree s-1
2
0
12
Degree s-1
2
4
Radar incidence angle
BCIn_incidenceAngle
0
02
111
Degree
1
0
10
Degree
1
4
Radar look angle
BCIn_lookAngle
0
02
112
Degree
1
0
12
Degree
1
4
Number of azimuth looks
BCIn_NumAzimuthLooks
0
02
113
Numeric
0
0
4
Numeric
0
2
Antenna effective surface area
BCIn_antennaArea
0
02
114
m2
0
0
15
m2
0
5
Type of surface observing equipment
BCIn_surfaceObsType
0
02
115
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Percentage of 320 MHZ band processed
BCIn_percent320MHz
0
02
116
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Percentage of 80 MHZ band processed
BCIn_percent80MHz
0
02
117
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Percentage of 20 MHZ band processed
BCIn_percent20MHz
0
02
118
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
RA-2 instrument operations
BCIn_RA-2
0
02
119
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Ocean wave frequency
BCIn_waveFreq
0
02
120
Hz
3
0
10
Hz
3
4
Mean frequency
BCIn_meanFreq
0
02
121
Hz
-8
0
7
Hz
-8
3
Frequency agility range
BCIn_FreqAgility
0
02
122
Hz
-6
-128
8
Hz
-6
3
Peak power
BCIn_peakPower
0
02
123
W
-4
0
7
W
-4
3
Average power
BCIn_averagePower
0
02
124
W
-1
0
7
W
-1
3
Pulse repetition frequency
BCIn_pulseFreq
0
02
125
Hz
-1
0
8
Hz
-1
3
Pulse width
BCIn_pulseWidth
0
02
126
s
7
0
6
s
7
2
Receiver intermediate frequency
BCIn_receiverFreq
0
02
127
Hz
-6
0
7
Hz
-6
3
Intermediate frequency bandwidth
BCIn_freqBandwidth
0
02
128
Hz
-5
0
6
Hz
-5
2
Minimum detectable signal
BCIn_minSignal
0
02
129
dB
0
-150
5
dB
0
3
Dynamic range
BCIn_dynamicRange
0
02
130
dB
0
0
7
dB
0
3
Sensitivity time control (STC)
BCIn_sensitivityTime
0
02
131
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
Azimuth pointing accuracy
BCIn_azimuthAccuracy
0
02
132
Degree
2
0
6
Degree
2
2
Elevation pointing accuracy
BCIn_elevationAccuracy
0
02
133
Degree
2
0
6
Degree
2
2
Antenna beam azimuth
BCIn_antennaAzimuth
0
02
134
Degree
2
0
16
Degree
2
5
Antenna elevation
BCIn_antennaElevation
0
02
135
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
5
Range processed by range attenuation correction
BCIn_rangeAttenuation
0
02
136
m
-3
0
16
m
-3
5
Satellite radar beam azimuth angle

Note 4

BCIn_SatAzimuth
0
02
140
Degree
0
0
9
Degree
0
3
Measurement type
BCIn_measurementType
0
02
141
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Ozone instrument serial number/ identification

Note 5

BCIn_ozoneInstrID
0
02
142
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
Ozone instrument type
BCIn_ozoneInstrType
0
02
143
Code table
0
0
7
Code table
0
3
Light source type for Brewer spectro photometer
BCIn_BrewerType
0
02
144
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Wave length setting for Dobson instruments
BCIn_DobsonWaveLength
0
02
145
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Source conditions for Dobson instruments
BCIn_DobsonSource
0
02
146
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Data collection and/or location system
BCIn_dataCollectSystem
0
02
148
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Type of data buoy
BCIn_dataBuoyType
0
02
149
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
TOVS/ATOVS/AVHRR instrumentation channel number
BCIn_ATOVSchannel
0
02
150
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Radiometer identifier
BCIn_radiometerID
0
02
151
Code table
0
0
11
Code table
0
4
Satellite instrument used in data processing

Note 6

BCIn_SatInstrUsed
0
02
152
Flag table
0
0
31
Flag table
0
10
Satellite channel centre frequency
BCIn_SatCjannelFreq
0
02
153
Hz
-8
0
26
Hz
8
8
Satellite channel band width
BCIn_SatChannelBandwidth
0
02
154
Hz
-8
0
26
Hz
8
8
Percentage of valid KU ocean retracker measurements
BCIn_validKUretracker
0
02
156
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Percentage of valid S ocean retracker measurements
BCIn_validSretracker
0
02
157
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
RA-2 instrument
BCIn_RA-2Instr
0
02
158
Flag table
0
0
9
Flag table
0
3
MWR instrument
BCIn_MWRinstr
0
02
159
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Wave length of the radar
BCIn_radarWavelength
0
02
160
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Height assignment method
BCIn_heightMethod
0
02
163
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Tracer correlation method
BCIn_tracerMethid
0
02
164
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Radiance type
BCIn_radianceType
0
02
166
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Radiance computational method
BCIn_radianceMethod
0
02
167
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Hydrostatic pressure of lower end of cable (thermistor string)
BCIn_cableEndPressure
0
02
168
Pa
-3
0
16
KPa
0
5
Anemometer type
BCIn_anemometer
0
02
169
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Square of the off nadir angle

Note 7

BCIn_nadirAngleSq
0
02
173
Degree2
4
0
10
Degree2
4
4
Mean across track pixel number
BCIn_MeanAcrossTrackNum
0
02
174
Numeric
0
0
9
Numeric
0
3
Method of precipitation measurement
BCIn_precipMethod
0
02
175
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Method of state of ground measurement
BCIn_groundStateMethod
0
02
176
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Method of snow depth measurement
BCIn_snowDepthMethod
0
02
177
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Method of liquid content measurement of precipitation
BCIn_liquidPrecipMethod
0
02
178
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Type of sky condition algorithm
BCIn_skyConditionMethid
0
02
179
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Main present weather detecting system
BCIn_mainPresentWX
0
02
180
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
BCIn_supplPresentWX
0
02
181
Flag table
0
0
21
Flag table
0
7
BCIn_visibilityMethod
0
02
182
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Cloud detection system
BCIn_cloudSystem
0
02
183
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Type of lightning detection sensor
BCIn_lightningSensor
0
02
184
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Method of evaporation measurement
BCIn_evaporationMethod
0
02
185
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Capability to detect precipitation phenomena
BCIn_precipCapability
0
02
186
Flag table
0
0
30
Flag table
0
10
Capability to detect other weather phenomena
BCIn_otherWXmethod
0
02
187
Flag table
0
0
18
Flag table
0
6
Capability to detect obscuration
BCIn_obscurationMethod
0
02
188
Flag table
0
0
21
Flag table
0
7
Capability to discriminate lightning strikes
BCIn_lightningMethod
0
02
189
Flag table
0
0
12
Flag table
0
4
Product type for retrieved atmospheric gases
BCIn_atmosGasProduct
0
02
172
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Lagrangian drifter submergence (% time submerged)
BCIn_drifterTime
0
02
190
%
0
0
7
%
0
3

(1) This class shall contain elements to describe the instrumentation used to obtain the meteorological elements reported.

(2) This class may also contain elements relating to observational procedures.

(3) Some indication of expected accuracy may be implied in conjunction with certain elements in this class.

(4) Note that descriptor 0 02 140 is the Azimuth angle measured anticlockwise from satellite heading vector.

(5) In descriptor 0 02 142: Ozone instrument serial number/identification is four characters long. For Japanese Dobsons instruments, omit the leading digit(s).

(6) Descriptor 0 02 019 should be used instead of descriptor 0 02 152 for single satellite instrument identification.

(7) Note missing (0 02 73)

(8) Descriptor 0 02 152 should be used instead of 0 02 021 for encoding this element.

(9) This constant is defined as follows: Z = P + radar constant where Z = the reflectivity of target in beam direction (dBZ); P = the input receiver power above 1 mW (dBm).

This constant is used to normalize the signal to the equivalent 100 km range.

Class 04 - Location (time)

See reference in

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

Note 4

Note 5

Note 7

Year
BCT_year
0
04
001
Year
0
0
12
Year
0
4
Month
BCT_month
0
04
002
Month
0
0
4
Month
0
2
Day
BCT_day
0
04
003
Day
0
0
6
Day
0
2
Hour
BCT_hour
0
04
004
Hour
0
0
5
Hour
0
2
Minute
BCT_minute
0
04
005
Minute
0
0
6
Minute
0
2
Second
BCT_second
0
04
006
Second
0
0
6
Second
0
2
Seconds within a minute (microsecond accuracy)
BCT_microseconds
0
04
007
Second
6
0
26
S
6
8
Time increment
BCT_yearIncrement
0
04
011
Year
0
-1024
11
Year
0
4
Time increment
BCT_monthIncrement
0
04
012
Month
0
-1024
11
Month
0
4
Time increment
BCT_dayIncrement
0
04
013
Day
0
-1024
11
Day
0
4
Time increment
BCT_hourIncrement
0
04
014
Hour
0
-1024
11
Hour
0
4
Time increment
BCT_minuteIncrement
0
04
015
Minute
0
-2048
12
Minute
0
4
Time increment
BCT_secondIncrement
0
04
016
Second
0
-4096
13
Second
0
4
Reference time period for accumulated or extreme data
BCT_accumulationPeriod
0
04
017
Minute
0
-1440
12
Minute
0
4
Time period or displacement
BCT_yearPeriod
0
04
021
Year
0
-1024
11
Year
0
4
Time period or displacement
BCT_monthPeriod
0
04
022
Month
0
-1024
11
Month
0
4
Time period or displacement
BCT_dayPeriod
0
04
023
Day
0
-1024
11
Day
0
4
Time period or displacement
BCT_hourPeriod
0
04
024
Hour
0
-2048
12
Hour
0
4
Time period or displacement
BCT_minutePeriod
0
04
025
Minute
0
-2048
12
Minute
0
4
Time period or displacement
BCT_secondPeriod
0
04
026
Second
0
-4096
13
Second
0
4
Duration of time relating to following value
BCT_hourFollowing
0
04
031
Hour
0
0
8
Hour
0
3
Duration of time relating to following value
BCT_minuteFollowing
0
04
032
Minute
0
0
6
Minute
0
2
Time difference, UTC -LMT

Note 6

BCT_UTC-LMT
0
04
041
Minute
0
-1440
12
Minute
0
4
Day of the year
BCT_yearday
0
04
043
Day
0
0
9
Day
0
3
Principal time of daily reading of maximum temperature
BCT_maxTempTime
0
04
051
Hour
0
0
5
Hour
0
2
Principal time of daily reading of minimum temperature
BCT_minTempTime
0
04
052
0
0
5
Hour
0
2
Number of days with precipitation equal to or more than 1 mm
BCT_daysOfPrecip
0
04
053
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Times of observation used to compute the reported mean values
BCT_observationTimesUsed
0
04
059
Flag table
0
0
6
Flag table
0
2
Short time increment
BCT_shortMinuteIncrement
0
04
065
Minute
0
-128
8
Minute
0
2
Short time period or displacement
BCT_shortDayPeriod
0
04
073
Day
0
-128
8
Day
0
2
Short time period or displacement
BCT_shortHourPeriod
0
04
074
Hour
0
-128
8
Hour
0
2
Short time period or displacement
BCT_shortMinutePeriod
0
04
075
Minute
0
-128
8
Minute
0
2
Averaging period for following value
BCT_averagingPeriod
0
04
080
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Long time period or displacement
BCT_longSecondPeriod
0
04
086
Second
0
-8192
15
Second
0
5

(1) The significance of time periods or displacements may be indicated using the time significance code corresponding to table reference 0 08 021.

(2) Where more than one time period or displacement is required to define complex time structures, they shall be defined in immediate succession, and the following ordering shall apply: ensemble period (if required), followed by forecast period (if required), followed by period for averaging or accumulation (if required).

(3) Time periods or displacements and time increments require an initial time location to be defined prior to their use, followed where appropriate by a time significance definition.

(4) The time location, when used with forecast values, shall indicate the time of the initial state for the forecast, or the beginning of the forecast period; when used with ensemble means of forecast values, the time location shall indicate the initial state or the beginning of the first forecast over which ensemble means are derived.

(5) Negative time periods or displacements shall be used to indicate time periods or displacements preceding the currently defined time.

(6) Descriptor 0 04 041 has been replaced by the combination of 0 08 025 and 0 26 003 and should not be used for encoding this element.

(7) All times are Universal Time Coordinated (UTC) unless otherwise noted.

Class 05 - Location (horizontal -1)

See reference in

Latitude (high accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCX_hiPrecsnLat
0
05
001
Degree
5
-9000000
25
Degree
5
7
Latitude (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCX_lowPrecsnLat
0
05
002
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
4
Latitude increment (high accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCX_hiPrecsnLatIncremt
0
05
011
Degree
5
-9000000
25
Degree
5
7
Latitude increment (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCX_lowPrecsnLatIncremt
0
05
012
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
4
Latitude displacement (high accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCX_hiPrecsnLatDisplace
0
05
015
Degree
5
-9000000
25
Degree
5
7
Latitude displacement (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCX_lowPrecsnLatDisplace
0
05
016
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
4
Bearing or azimuth

Note 4

BCX_bearing
0
05
021
Degree true
2
0
16
Degree true
2
5
Solar azimuth
BCX_solarAzimuth
0
05
022
Degree true
2
0
16
Degree true
2
5
Sun to satellite azimuth difference
BCX_azimuthDifference
0
05
023
Degree
1
-1800
12
Degree
1
4
Direction (spectral)
BCX_spectralDirn
0
05
030
Degree
0
0
12
Degree
0
4
Row number
BCX_rowNum
0
05
031
Numeric
0
0
12
Numeric
0
4
Pixel size on horizontal - 1

Note 5

BCX_pixelSize1
0
05
033
m
-1
0
16
m
-1
5
Along track row number
BCX_alongTrackRow
0
05
034
Numeric
0
0
11
Numeric
0
4
Ship transect number according to SOOP
BCX_shipTransect
0
05
036
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
2
Orbit number
BCX_orbitNum
0
05
040
Numeric
0
0
24
Numeric
0
8
Scan line number
BCX_scanLineNum
0
05
041
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Channel number
BCX_channelNum
0
05
042
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Field of view number
BCX_FieldOfView
0
05
043
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Satellite cycle number
BCX_SatCycleNum
0
05
044
Numeric
0
0
11
Numeric
0
4
Channel number increment
BCX_channelIncremt
0
05
052
Numeric
0
0
5
Numeric
0
2
Field of view number increment
BCX_FieldOfViewIncremt
0
05
053
Numeric
0
0
5
Numeric
0
2
Y angular position from centre of gravity
BCX_YangularPosition
0
05
060
Degree
6
-8000000
24
Degree
6
8
Z angular position from centre of gravity
BCX_ZangularPosition
0
05
061
Degree
6
-8000000
24
Degree
6
8

(1) Values of latitude and latitude increments are limited to the range -90 degrees to +90 degrees.

(2) South latitude shall be assigned negative values.

(3) North to south increments shall be assigned negative values.

(4) Bearing or azimuth shall only be used with respect to a stated location, and shall not redefine that location.

(5) The Pixel size on horizontal - 1 is given at location where map scale factor is unity.

Class 06 - Location (horizontal - 2)

See reference in

Longitude (high accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCY_hiPrecsnLon
0
06
001
Degree
5
-18000000
26
Degree
5
8
Longitude (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCY_lowPrecsnLon
0
06
002
Degree
2
-18000
16
Degree
2
5
Longitude increment (high accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCY_hiPrecsnLonIncremt
0
06
011
Degree
5
-18000000
26
Degree
5
8
Longitude increment (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCY_lowPrecsnLonIncremt
0
06
012
Degree
2
-18000
16
Degree
2
5
Longitude displacement (high accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCY_hiPrecsnLonDisplace
0
06
015
Degree
5
-18000000
26
Degree
5
8
Longitude displacement (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BCY_lowPrecsnLonDisplace
0
06
016
Degree
2
-18000
16
Degree
2
5
Distance

Note 4

BCY_distance
0
06
021
m
-1
0
13
m
-1
4
Wave number (spectral)
BCY_spectralWaveNum
0
06
030
rad m-1
5
0
13
rad m-1
5
4
Column number
BCY_columnNum
0
06
031
Numeric
0
0
12
Numeric
0
4
Pixel size on horizontal - 2

Note 5

BCY_PixelSize2
0
06
033
m
-1
0
16
m
-1
5
Cross-track cell number
BCY_crossTrackCell
0
06
034
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Radius of confidence
BCY_radiusOfConfidence
0
06
040
m
0
0
13
m
0
4

(1) Values of longitude are limited to the range -180 degrees to +180 degrees.

(2) West longitude shall be assigned negative values.

(3) East to west increments shall be assigned negative values.

(4) Distance shall only be used with respect to a stated location and a bearing, azimuth or elevation; it shall not redefine that location.

(5) The Pixel size on horizontal - 2 is given at location where map scale factor is unity.

Class 07 - Location (vertical)

See reference in

Height of station

Note 1

BCV_heightStation
0
07
001
m
0
-400
15
m
0
5
Height or altitude
BCV_height_1
0
07
002
m
-1
-40
16
m
-1
5
Geopotential
BCV_geopotential_1
0
07
003
m2 s-2
-1
-400
17
m2 s-2
1
6
Pressure
BCV_pressure
0
07
004
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
-1
5
Height increment
BCV_heightIncremt
0
07
005
m
0
-400
12
m
0
4
Height above station
BCV_heightAboveStation
0
07
006
m
0
0
15
m
0
5
Height
BCV_height_2
0
07
007
m
0
-1000
17
m
0
6
Geopotential
BCV_geopotential_2
0
07
008
m2 s-2
0
-10000
20
m2 s-2
0
7
Geopotential height
BCV_geopotentialHeight
0
07
009
gpm
0
-1000
17
gpm
0
5
Flight level
BCV_flightLevel
0
07
010
m
0
-1024
16
ft
-1
5
Elevation

Note 2

BCV_elevation
0
07
021
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
5
Solar elevation
BCV_solarElevation
0
07
022
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
5
Satellite zenith angle
BCV_SatZenith_1
0
07
024
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
5
Solar zenith angle
BCV_solarZenith
0
07
025
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
5
Satellite zenith angle
BCV_SatZenith_2
0
07
026
Degree
4
-900000
21
Degree
4
7
Height of station ground above mean sea level

Note 1

Note 3

BCV_stationHeight-MSL
0
07
030
m
1
- 4000
17
m
1
5
Height of barometer above mean sea level

Note 1

Note 4

BCV_barometerHeight-MSL
0
07
031
m
1
- 4000
17
m
1
5
Height of sensor above local ground (or deck of marine platform)

Note 5

BCV_heightSensor-Platform
0
07
032
m
2
0
16
m
2
5
Height of sensor above water surface

Note 6

BCV_heightSensor-Water
0
07
033
m
1
0
12
m
1
4
Impact parameter

Note 8

BCV_impactParameter
0
07
040
m
1
62000000
22
m
1
8
Depth below land surface
BCV_depthLand
0
07
061
m
2
0
14
m
2
5
Depth below sea/water surface
BCV_depthSea
0
07
062
m
1
0
17
m
1
6
Depth below sea/water surface (cm)
BCV_depthSeaCm
0
07
063
m
2
0
20
m
2
7
Representative height of sensor above station

Note 7

BCV_effectiveSensorHeight
0
07
064
m
0
0
4
m
0
2
Water pressure
BCV_waterPressure
0
07
065
Pa
-3
0
17
Pa
-3
6
Drogue depth
BCV_drogueDepth
0
07
070
m
0
0
10
m
0
4

(1) Regarding data from ground based stations, this descriptor should be used for archived data only. Descriptors 0 07 030 and 0 07 031 should be used and preferred to represent ground elevation and elevation of barometer, respectively, as defined in Observing Stations, WMO Publication No. 9, Volume A1. Regarding marine stations, this descriptor refers to the height above mean sea level of the deck of marine platform where the instruments stand.

(2) Elevation shall only be used with respect to a stated location and a bearing, azimuth or distance; it shall not redefine that location.

(3) Height of station ground above mean sea level is defined as the height above mean sea-level of the ground on which the raingauge stands or, if there is no raingauge, the ground beneath the thermometer screen. If there is neither raingauge nor screen, it is the average level of terrain in the vicinity of the station (Reference: Guide to Meteorological Instruments and Methods of Observation, WMO-No. 8. 1996).

(4) Height of barometer above mean sea level, referring to the location of barometer of a station, does not redefine the descriptor 0 07 030.

(5) Height of sensor above local ground (or deck of marine platform) is the actual height of sensor above ground (or deck of marine platform) at the point where the sensor is located. This descriptor does not redefine the descriptor either 0 07 030 or 0 07 033. Previously defined value of 0 07 032 may be cancelled by setting 0 07 032 to a "missing value".

(6) Height of sensor above water surface is the height of sensor above water surface of sea or lake. This descriptor does not redefine the descriptor either 0 07 030 or 0 07 032. Previously defined value of 0 07 033 may be cancelled by setting 0 07 033 to a "missing value".

(7) Representative height of sensor above station is the standard height of a sensor required by WMO documentation. Value of the following meteorological element should be adjusted using a formula. For example, standard height recommended in WMO documentation for surface wind sensors is 10 metres. If the sensor is placed at different height, the wind speed may be adjusted using a formula.

(8) For an atmospheric limb sounder, the "impact parameter" is the distance between the ray asymptote and the centre of curvature of the Earths surface at the tangent point.

Class 08 - Significance qualifiers

See reference in

Note 1

Note 2

Vertical sounding significance
BCS_soundingVerticalSig
0
08
001
Flag table
0
0
7
Flag table
0
3
Vertical significance (surface observations)
BCS_surfaceVerticalSig
0
08
002
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Vertical significance (satellite observations)
BCS_SatVerticalSig
0
08
003
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Phase of aircraft flight
BCS_flightPhase
0
08
004
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Meteorological attribute significance
BCS_MetAttributeSig
0
08
005
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Ozone vertical sounding significance
BCS_ozoneVerticalSig
0
08
006
Flag table
0
0
9
Flag table
0
3
Dimensional significance
BCS_dimensionalSig
0
08
007
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Radiation vertical sounding significance
BCS_radiationVerticalSig
0
08
008
Flag table
0
0
9
Flag table
0
3
Detailed phase of flight
BCS_flightPhaseDetail
0
08
009
Code Table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Surface qualifier (temperature data)
BCS_surfaceTempSig
0
08
010
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Meteorological feature
BCS_MetFeature
0
08
011
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Land/sea qualifier
BCS_landSea
0
08
012
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Day/night qualifier
BCS_dayNight
0
08
013
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Qualifier for runway visual range
BCS_runwayVisualRange
0
08
014
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Change qualifier of a trend-type forecast or an aerodrome forecast
BCS_TRENDchange
0
08
016
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Qualifier of the time when the forecast change is expected
BCS_nextForecast
0
08
017
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
SEAWINDS land/ice surface type
BCS_SEAWINDlandIce
0
08
018
Flag table
0
0
17
Flag table
0
6
Qualifier for following Centre identifier
BCS_followingCentreIDQ
0
08
019
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Total number of missing entities (with respect to accumulation or average)

Note 1

BCS_numberMissing
0
08
020
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
Time significance

Note 1

BCS_timeSig
0
08
021
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Total number (with respect to accumulation or average)
BCS_totalNumber
0
08
022
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
First order statistics

Note 3

BCS_firstOrderStatistic
0
08
023
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Difference statistics

Note 4

BCS_differenceStatistic
0
08
024
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Time difference qualifier

Note 5

BCS_timeDifferenceSig
0
08
025
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Remotely sensed surface type
BCS_surfaceTypeSig
0
08
029
Code table
0
0
Code table
0
3
Manual on Codes (Volume I.1, Section C) Code table from which data are derived
BCS_sectionC_CodeTable
0
08
030
Numeric
0
0
13
Numeric
0
4
Data category CREX table A
BCS_CREX_TableA
0
08
031
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Method of derivation of percentage confidence

Note 6

BCS_percentConfMethod
0
08
033
Code table
0
0
7
Code table
0
3
Type of monitoring exercise
BCS_monitoringExercise
0
08
035
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Type of centre or station performing monitoring
BCS_monitoringCentreType
0
08
036
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Flight Level significance
BCS_flightLevelSig
0
08
040
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Data significance
BCS_dataSig
0
08
041
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Extended vertical sounding significance
BCS_extendedSoundingSig
0
08
042
Flag table
0
0
18
Flag table
0
6
Number of observations
BCS_numberObs
0
08
049
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Qualifier for number of missing values in calculation of statistic
BCS_missingQualifier1
0
08
050
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Qualifier for number of missing values in calculation of statistic
BCS_missingQualifier2
0
08
051
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Condition for which number of days of occurrence follows
BCS_numberDaysEvent
0
08
052
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Day of occurrence qualifier
BCS_dayEventQualifier
0
08
053
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Sample scanning mode significance
BCS_scanningModeSig
0
08
060
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Sun-glint indicator
BCS_sunGlint
0
08
065
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Semi-transparency indicator
BCS_semiTransparent
0
08
066
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
TOVS/ATOVS product qualifier
BCS_ATOVSqualifier
0
08
070
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Pixel(s) type
BCS_pixelType
0
08
072
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Altimeter echo type
BCS_echoType
0
08
074
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Ascending/Descending Orbit Qualifier
BCS_ascendDescendOrbit
0
08
075
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Type of band
BCS_bandType
0
08
076
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Product status
BCS_productStatus
0
08
079
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Qualifier for GTSPP quality flag
BCS_
0
08
080
Code table
0
0
Code table
0
2
Type of equipment
BCS_GTSPP_Q_flag
0
08
081
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Artificial correction of sensor height to another value
BCS_sensorHeightCorrectn
0
08
082
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Nominal value indicator
BCS_nominalValueFlag
0
08
083
Flag table
0
0
15
Flag table
0
5
Beam identifier
BCS_beamID
0
08
085
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1

(1) Where values are accumulated or averaged (for example over a time period), the total number of values from which the accumulated or averaged values are obtained may be represented using reference 0 08 022.

(2) A previously defined significance may be cancelled by transmitting a "missing" from the appropriate code or flag table.

(3) First order statistics have values with a similar range and the same dimensions as the corresponding reported values (e.g., maxima, minima, means, etc.).

(4) Difference statistics are difference values; they have dimensions similar to the corresponding reported values with respect to units, but assume a range centred on zero (e.g., the difference between reported and analysed values, the difference between reported and forecast values, etc.).

(5) Descriptor 0 08 025 is to be used with 0 26 003 (time difference).

(6) Descriptor 0 08 033 is to be used by preceding the element 0 33 007 as part of quality control information in order to specify the method used to calculate the percentage confidence.

(7) When descriptor 008043 is used to specify particulate matter under a given size threshold, descriptor 008045 may also be used to further specify a subset of the PM population on the basis of ion composition. (Missing reference)

(8) Descriptor 0 08 090 is to be used to establish the decimal scale of one or more subsequent numerical element descriptors requiring a large dynamic range of values. The numerical element descriptor(s) will contain the scaled value of the measurement(s) with the required number of significant digits. The actual value will be obtained, at the application level, by multiplying the scaled value by the given decimal scale : (scaled value * 10decimal scale). (Missing Reference)

Class 10 - Non-coordinate location (vertical)

See reference in

Note 1

Height of land surface
BVP_landHeight
0
10
001
M
0
-400
15
m
0
5
Height
BVP_height_1
0
10
002
M
-1
-40
16
m
-1
5
Geopotential
BVP_geopotential_1
0
10
003
m2 s-2
-1
-400
17
m2 s-2
-1
6
Pressure
BVP_pressure
0
10
004
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
1
5
Height
BVP_height_2
0
10
007
m
0
-1000
17
m
0
6
Geopotential
BVP_geopotential_2
0
10
008
m2 s-2
0
-10000
20
m2 s-2
0
7
Geopotential height
BVP_geopotentialHeight
0
10
009
gpm
0
-1000
17
gpm
0
5
Minimum pressure reduced to mean sea level
BVP_minimumMSLP
0
10
010
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
-1
5
Maximum pressure reduced to mean sea level
BVP_maximumMSLP
0
10
011
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
-1
5
In direction of the North Pole, distance from the Earths centre

Note 2

Note 3

BVP_R_SinLat
0
10
031
m
2
-1073741824
31
m
2
10
Satellite distance to Earths centre
BVP_Sat_R
0
10
032
m
1
0
27
m
2
9
Altitude (platform to Ellipsoid)
BVP_altitudeEllipsoid
0
10
033
m
1
0
27
m
2
9
Earth radius
BVP_earthRadius
0
10
034
m
1
0
27
m
2
9
Earths local radius of curvature
BVP_earthLocalRadiusCurve
0
10
035
m
1
62000000
22
m
1
8
Geoid undulation (see Note 4)

Note 4

BVP_geoidUndulation
0
10
036
m
2
-15000
15
m
2
6
Number of retrieved layers
BVP_numberLayers
0
10
040
Numeric
0
0
10
Numeric
0
4
Standard deviation altitude
BVP_standardDevnLat
0
10
050
m
2
0
16
m
2
5
Pressure reduced to mean sea level
BVP_MSLP
0
10
051
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
1
5
Altimeter setting (QNH)
BVP_altimeterSettingQNH
0
10
052
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
1
5
Pressure change
BVP_pressureChange
0
10
060
Pa
-1
-1024
11
Pa
1
4
3-hour pressure change
BVP_pressureChange3Hr
0
10
061
Pa
-1
-500
10
Pa
-1
4
24-hour pressure change
BVP_pressureChange24Hr
0
10
062
Pa
-1
-1000
11
Pa
-1
4
Characteristic of pressure tendency
BVP_pressureCharacteristic
0
10
063
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
SIGMET cruising level
BVP_SIGMETcruisingLevel
0
10
064
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Indicated aircraft altitude
BVP_aircraftAltitide
0
10
070
m
0
-400
16
m
0
5
Viewing Zenith angle
BVP_viewingZenith
0
10
080
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
5
Altitude of COG above reference Ellipsoid
BVP_altitudeRefnceEllipsoid
0
10
081
m
3
0
31
m
3
10
Instantaneous altitude rate
BVP_instantAltitideRate
0
10
082
ms-1
3
-65536
17
ms-1
3
6
Squared off Nadir angle of the satellite from platform data
BVP_platformNadirSq
0
10
083
Degree2
2
0
16
Degree2
2
5
Squared off Nadir angle of the satellite from waveform data
BVP_waveformNadirSq
0
10
084
Degree2
2
0
16
Degree2
2
5
Mean sea surface height
BVP_meanSeaSurfaceHeight
0
10
085
m
3
-131072
18
m
3
6
Geoids height
BVP_geoidHeight
0
10
086
m
3
-131072
18
m
3
6
Ocean depth/land elevation
BVP_oceanDepthlandElevn
0
10
087
m
1
-131072
18
m
1
6
Total geocentric ocean tide height solution 1
BVP_oceanTideHeight_1
0
10
088
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Total geocentric ocean tide height solution 2
BVP_oceanTideheight_2
0
10
089
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Long period tide height
BVP_longPeriodTideHeight
0
10
090
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Tidal loading height
BVP_tidalLoadingHeight
0
10
091
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Solid Earth tide height
BVP_solidEarthTideHeight
0
10
092
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Geocentric pole tide height
BVP_geocentricPoleTideHeight
0
10
093
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Height of atmosphere used
BVP_heightAtmosphere
0
10
095
m
0
0
16
m
0
5

(1) Vertical elements and pressure shall be used to define values of these elements independent of the element or variable denoting the vertical coordinate.

(2) The value for descriptor 0 10 031 has been chosen to be suitable for polar orbiting satellites in approximately sun-synchronous orbits. Geostationary orbits would require greater data widths for distance and slightly less for speed.

(3) Left handed xyz axes have been chosen for descriptor 0 10 031.

(4) The "geoid undulation" is the difference between the reference ellipsoid (WGS-84) and the geoid height (EGM96) at the geographic location of the observation, both referenced to the centre of mass of the Earth.

Class 11 - Wind and turbulence

See reference in

Note 5

Wind direction
BWT_windDirn
0
11
001
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Wind speed
BWT_windSpeed
0
11
002
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
u-component

Note 1

BWT_wind_U_comp
0
11
003
m s-1
1
-4096
13
m s-1
1
4
v-component

Note 2

BWT_wind_V_comp
0
11
004
m s-1
1
-4096
13
m s-1
1
4
w-component

Note 3

BWT_wind_W_comp_Pa
0
11
005
Pa s-1
1
-512
10
Pa s-1
1
4
w-component

Note 4

BWT_wind_W_comp_m
0
11
006
m s-1
2
-4096
13
m s-1
2
4
Wind direction associated with wind speed which follows
BWT_windDirnFollowing
0
11
010
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Wind direction at 10 m
BWT_windDirn10m
0
11
011
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Wind speed at 10 m
BWT_windSpeed10m
0
11
012
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Wind direction at 5 m
BWT_windDirn5m
0
11
013
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Wind speed at 5 m
BWT_windSpeed5m
0
11
014
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Extreme counterclockwise wind direction of a variable wind
BWT_maxAntiClockDirn
0
11
016
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Extreme clockwise wind direction of a variable wind
BWT_maxClockDirn
0
11
017
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Steadiness of wind

Note 6

BWT_windSteadiness
0
11
019
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Relative vorticity
BWT_relativeVorticity
0
11
021
s-1
9
-65536
17
s-1
9
6
Divergence
BWT_divergence
0
11
022
s-1
9
-65536
17
s-1
9
6
Velocity potential
BWT_velocityPotetial
0
11
023
m2 s-1
-2
-65536
17
m2 s-1
-2
6
Extended degree of turbulence
BWT_extendedTurbulence
0
11
030
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Degree of turbulence
BWT_turbulence
0
11
031
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Height of base of turbulence
BWT_turbulenceBaseHeight
0
11
032
m
-1
-40
16
m
-1
5
Height of top of turbulence
BWT_turbulenceTopHeight
0
11
033
m
-1
-40
16
m
-1
5
Vertical gust velocity
BWT_verticalGustVel
0
11
034
m s-1
1
-1024
11
m s-1
1
4
Vertical gust acceleration
BWT_verticalGustAccel
0
11
035
m s-2
2
-8192
14
m s-2
2
5
Maximum derived equivalent vertical gust speed
BWT_equivVerticalGustVel
0
11
036
m s-1
1
0
10
m s-1
1
4
Turbulence Index
BWT_turbulenceIndex
0
11
037
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Time of occurrence of Peak Eddy Dissipation Rate
BWT_peakEddyRateTime
0
11
038
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Extended time of occurrence of peak Eddy Dissipation Rate
BWT_extendedPeakEddyTime
0
11
039
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Maximum wind speed (mean wind)
BWT_maxMeanWindSpeed
0
11
040
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Maximum wind gust speed
BWT_maxGustSpeed
0
11
041
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Maximum wind speed (10-min mean wind)
BWT_max10MinSpeed
0
11
042
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Maximum wind gust direction
BWT_max10MinDirn
0
11
043
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Mean wind direction for surface - 1500 m (5000 feet)
BWT_meanDirnSurf_1500m
0
11
044
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Mean wind speed for surface - 1500 m (5000 feet)
BWT_meanSpeedSurf_1500m
0
11
045
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Maximum instantaneous wind speed
BWT_maxInstantWindSpeed
0
11
046
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Maximum instantaneous wind speed over 10 minutes
BWT_max10MinWindSpeed
0
11
047
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Standard deviation of wind direction
BWT_standardErrorDirn
0
11
049
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Standard deviation of horizontal wind speed
BWT_standardErrorVertSpeed
0
11
050
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Standard deviation of vertical wind speed
BWT_standardErrorHorizSpeed
0
11
051
m s-1
1
0
8
m s-1
1
3
Formal uncertainty in wind speed
BWT_uncertainSpeed
0
11
052
m s-1
2
0
13
m s-1
2
5
Formal uncertainty in wind direction
BWT_uncertainDirn
0
11
053
Degree true
2
0
15
Degree true
2
5
Mean wind direction for 1500 m - 3000 m
BWT_meanDirn1500_3000m
0
11
054
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Mean wind speed for 1500 m - 3000 m
BWT_meanSpeed1500_3000m
0
11
055
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Absolute wind shear in 1 km layer below
BWT_shear_1kmBelow
0
11
061
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Absolute wind shear in 1 km layer above
BWT_shear_1kmAbove
0
11
062
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Designator of the runway affected by wind shear (including ALL)
BWT_runwayWindShear
0
11
070
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
Turbulent vertical momentum flux
BWT_turbulentMomentum
0
11
071
m2 s-2
3
-128
14
m2 s-2
3
5
Turbulent vertical buoyancy flux
BWT_turbulentBuoyancy
0
11
072
K m s-1
3
-128
11
K m s-1
3
4
Turbulent kinetic energy
BWT_turbulentKineticE
0
11
073
m2 s-2
2
-1024
13
m2 s-2
2
4
Dissipation energy
BWT_dissipationEnergy
0
11
074
m2 s-2
2
-1024
10
m2 s-2
2
4
Mean turbulence intensity (eddy dissipation rate)
BWT_meanEddyRate
0
11
075
m2/3 s-1
2
0
8
m2/3 s-1
2
3
Peak turbulence intensity (eddy dissipation rate)
BWT_peakEddyRate
0
11
076
m2/3 s-1
2
0
8
m2/3 s-1
2
3
Reporting interval or averaging time for Eddy Dissipation Rate
BWT_eddyRateInterval
0
11
077
s
0
0
12
s
0
4
Model wind direction at 10m
BWT_modelWindDirn10m
0
11
081
Degree true
2
0
16
Degree true
2
5
Model wind speed at 10m
BWT_modelWindSpeed10m
0
11
082
m s-1
2
0
14
m s-1
2
4
U component of the model wind vector

Note 1?

BWT_modelWind_U
0
11
095
m s-1
1
-4096
13
m s-1
1
4
V component of the model wind vector

Note 2?

BWT_modelWind_V
0
11
096
m s-1
1
-4096
13
m s-1
1
4

(1) West to east u-components shall be assigned positive values.

(2) South to north v-components shall be assigned positive values.

(3) Upward w-components shall be assigned positive values where units are m s-1.

(4) Downward w-components shall be assigned positive values where units are Pa s-1.

(5) Wind reporting standards:

| Speed | Direction
No observation | Missing | Missing
Calm | 0 | 0
Normal observation | > 0 | 1° - 360°
Speed only | > 0 | Missing
Direction only | Missing | 1° - 360°
"Light and variable" | > 0 | 0

(6) The steadiness factor (descriptor 0 11 019) is the ratio of speed of the monthly mean vector wind to the speed of the monthly mean scalar wind expressed as a percentage. It is reported to the nearest one percent.

Class 12 - Temperature

See reference in

Temperature/dry-bulb temperature
BT1_DryBulbTemp
0
12
001
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Wet-bulb temperature
BT1_WetBulbTemp
0
12
002
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Dew-point temperature
BT1_DewPointTemp
0
12
003
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Dry-bulb temperature at 2 m
BT1_2mDryBulbTemp
0
12
004
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Wet-bulb temperature at 2 m
BT1_2mWetBulbTemp
0
12
005
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Dew-point temperature at 2 m
BT1_2mDewPointTemp
0
12
006
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Virtual temperature
BT1_virtualTemp
0
12
007
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Maximum temperature, at height and over period specified

Note 1

BT1_maxTempOver
0
12
011
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Minimum temperature, at height and over period specified

Note 1

BT1_minTempOver
0
12
012
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Ground minimum temperature, past 12 hours
BT1_groundMinTemp12hr
0
12
013
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Maximum temperature at 2 m, past 12 hours
BT1_maxTemp2m12hr
0
12
014
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Minimum temperature at 2 m, past 12 hours
BT1_minTemp2m12hr
0
12
015
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Maximum temperature at 2 m, past 24 hours
BT1_maxTemp2m24hr
0
12
016
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Minimum temperature at 2 m, past 24 hours
BT1_minTemp2m24hr
0
12
017
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Maximum temperature at 2m
BT1_maxTemp2m
0
12
021
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Minimum temperature at 2m
BT1_minTemp2m
0
12
022
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Soil temperature
BT1_soilTemp
0
12
030
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Temperature change over specified period
BT1_tempChangeOver
0
12
049
K
0
-30
6
°C
0
2
Standard deviation temperature
BT1_standardErrorTemp
0
12
051
K
1
0
10
°C
1
3
Highest daily mean temperature
BT1_maxDailyMeanTemp
0
12
052
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Lowest daily mean temperature
BT1_minDailyMeanTemp
0
12
053
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Skin temperature
BT1_skinTemp
0
12
061
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Equivalent black body temperature
BT1_equivBlackBodyTemp
0
12
062
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Brightness temperature
BT1_brightnessTemp
0
12
063
K
1
0
12
°C
1
3
Instrument temperature
BT1_instrumentTemp
0
12
064
K
1
0
12
K
1
4
Standard deviation brightness temperature
BT1_SE_brightnessTemp
0
12
065
K
1
0
12
K
1
4
Warm load temperature
BT1_warmLoadTemp
0
12
070
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Coldest cluster temperature
BT1_minClusterTemp
0
12
071
K
1
0
12
K
1
4
Radiance

Note 2

BT1_radiance
0
12
072
W m-2 sr-1
6
0
31
W m-2sr-1
6
9
Spectral radiance
BT2_spectralRadiance
0
12
075
W m-3 sr-1
-3
0
16
W m-3sr-1
-3
5
Radiance

Note 2

BT2_radiance
0
12
076
W m-2 sr-1
3
0
16
W m-2sr-1
3
5
Temperature/dry-bulb temperature
BT2_DryBulbTemp
0
12
101
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Wet-bulb temperature
BT2_WetBulbTemp
0
12
102
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Dew-point temperature
BT2_DewPointTemp
0
12
103
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Dry-bulb temperature at 2m
BTmDryBulbTemp
0
12
104
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Web-bulb temperature at 2m
BTmWetBulbTemp
0
12
105
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Dew-point temperature at 2m
BTmDewPointTemp
0
12
106
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Virtual temperature
BT2_virtualTemp
0
12
107
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Maximum temperature, at height and over period specified

Note 1

BT2_maxTempOver
0
12
111
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Minimum temperature, at height and over period specified

Note 1

BT2_minTempOver
0
12
112
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Ground minimum temperature, past 12 hours
BT2_groundMinTemp12hr
0
12
113
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Maximum temperature at 2m, past 12 hours
BT2_maxTemp2m12hr
0
12
114
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Minimum temperature at 2m, past 12 hours
BT2_minTemp2m12hr
0
12
115
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Maximum temperature at 2m, past 24 hours
BT2_maxTemp2m24hr
0
12
116
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Minimum temperature at 2m, past 24 hours
BT2_minTemp2m24hr
0
12
117
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Maximum temperature at height specified, past 24 hours

Note 1

BT2_maxTemp24m
0
12
118
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Minimum temperature at height specified, past 24 hours

Note 1

BT2_minTemp24m
0
12
119
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Ground minimum temperature
BT2_groundMinTemp
0
12
121
K
2
0
16
oC
2
4
Ground minimum temperature of the preceding night
BT2_nightGroundMinTemp
0
12
122
K
2
0
16
oC
2
4
Soil temperature
BT2_soilTemp
0
12
130
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Standard deviation of daily mean temperature
BT2_SEdailyMeanTemp
0
12
151
K
2
0
12
°C
2
4
Highest daily mean temperature
BT2_maxDailymeanTemp
0
12
152
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Lowest daily mean temperature
BT2_minDailymeanTemp
0
12
153
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Skin temperature
BT2_skinTemp
0
12
161
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Equivalent black body temperature
BT1_equivBlackBodyTemp
0
12
162
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Brightness temperature
BT1_brightnessTemp
0
12
163
K
2
0
16
°C
2
4
Instrument temperature
BT1_instrumentTemp
0
12
164
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Coldest cluster temperature
BT1_minClusterTemp
0
12
171
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Averaged 12 micron BT for all clear pixels at Nadir
BT2_meanNadirBright12mu
0
12
180
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Averaged 11 micron BT for all clear pixels at Nadir
BT2_meanNadirBright11mu
0
12
181
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Averaged 3.7 micron BT for all clear pixels at Nadir
BT2_meanNadirBright3p7mu
0
12
182
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Averaged 12 micron BT for all clear pixels, forward view
BT2_meanForwardBright12mu
0
12
183
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Averaged 11 micron BT for all clear pixels, forward view
BT2_meanForwardBright11mu
0
12
184
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Averaged 3.7 micron BT for all clear pixels, forward view
BT2_meanForwardBright3p7mu
0
12
185
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Mean Nadir sea surface temperature
BT2_meanNadirSST
0
12
186
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Mean dual view sea surface temperature
BT2_meanDualViewSST
0
12
187
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Interpolated 23.8 GHz brightness T from MWR
BT2_MWR_Bright23p8GHz
0
12
188
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Interpolated 36.5 GHz brightness T from MWR
BT2_MWR_Bright36p5GHz
0
12
189
K
2
0
16
K
2
5

(1) Where the expression "at height and over period specified" is entered under ELEMENT NAME, an appropriate vertical location shall be specified using descriptors from class 07, together with an appropriate period using descriptors from class 04.

(2) Descriptor 0 12 076 should be used instead of descriptor 0 12 072 to encode radiance.

Class 13 - Hygrographic and hydrological elements

See reference in

Specific humidity
BHy_specificHumidity
0
13
001
kg kg-1
5
0
14
kg kg-1
5
5
Mixing ratio
BHy_mixingRatio
0
13
002
kg kg-1
5
0
14
kg kg-1
5
5
Relative humidity
BHy_relativeHumidity_1
0
13
003
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Vapour pressure
BHy_vapourPressure
0
13
004
Pa
-1
0
10
Pa
-1
4
Vapour density
BHy_vaourDensity
0
13
005
kg m-3
3
0
7
kg m-3
3
3
Mixing heights
BHy_mixingHeights
0
13
006
M
-1
-40
16
m
-1
5
Minimum relative humidity
BHy_minRelativeHumidity
0
13
007
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Maximum relative humidity
BHy_maxRelativeHumidity
0
13
008
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Relative humidity

Note 6

BHy_relativeHumidity_2
0
13
009
%
1
-1000
12
%
1
4
Total precipitation/total water equivalent

Note 1

BHy_totalPrecip
0
13
011
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
5
Depth of fresh snow

Note 2

BHy_depthFreshSnow
0
13
012
m
2
-2
12
m
2
4
Total snow depth

Note 2

BHy_totalSnowDepth
0
13
013
m
2
-2
16
m
2
5
Rainfall/water equivalent of snow (averaged rate)
BHy_snowWaterEquivalent
0
13
014
kg m-2 s-1
4
0
12
kg m-2 s-1
4
4
Snowfall (averaged rate)
BHy_snowfallRate
0
13
015
m s-1
7
0
12
m s-1
7
4
Precipitable water
BHy_precipitableWater
0
13
016
kg m-2
0
0
7
kg m-2
0
3
Total precipitation past 1 hour

Note 1

BHy_totalPrecip_1hr
0
13
019
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
4
Total precipitation past 3 hours

Note 1

BHy_totalPrecip_3hr
0
13
020
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
5
Total precipitation past 6 hours

Note 1

BHy_totalPrecip_6hr
0
13
021
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
5
Total precipitation past 12 hours

Note 1

BHy_totalPrecip_12hr
0
13
022
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
5
Total precipitation past 24 hours

Note 1

BHy_totalPrecip_24hr
0
13
023
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
5
Evapotranspiration
BHy_evapo-Ttranspiration_1
0
13
031
kg m-2
0
0
7
kg m-2
0
3
Evaporation/evapotranspiration

Note 5

BHy_evapo-Ttranspiration_2
0
13
032
kg m-2
1
0
8
kg m-2
1
3
Evaporation/evapotranspiration

Note 5

BHy_evapo-Ttranspiration_3
0
13
033
kg m-2
1
0
10
kg m-2
1
4
Superadiabatic indicator
BHy_superadiabat
0
13
038
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Terrain type (ice/snow)
BHy_terrainType
0
13
039
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Surface flag
BHy_surfaceCode
0
13
040
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Pasquill-Gifford stability category
BHy_pasquillStability
0
13
041
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Parcel lifted index (to 500 hPa)

Note 3

Note 4

BHy_500hPaParcelLiftedIndex
0
13
042
K
0
-20
6
K
0
2
Best lifted index (to 500 hPa)

Note 3

Note 4

BHy_500hPaBestliftedIndex
0
13
043
K
0
-20
6
K
0
2
K index
BHy_K_Index
0
13
044
K
0
-30
8
K
0
3
KO index
BHy_KO_Index
0
13
045
K
0
-30
8
K
0
3
Maximum buoyancy
BHy_maxBuoyancy
0
13
046
K
0
-30
8
K
0
3
Modified Showalter stability index

Note 7

BHy_showalterIndex
0
13
047
K
0
-60
6
°C
0
2
Frequency group, precipitation
BHy_freqGroupPrecip
0
13
051
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Highest daily amount of precipitation
BHy_maxDailyPrecipAmount
0
13
052
kg m-2
1
-1
14
kg m-2
1
5
Intensity of precipitation
BHy_precipIntensity
0
13
055
Kg m-2 s-1
4
0
8
mm h-1
1
4
Character and intensity of precipitation
BHy_precipIntensityCharacter
0
13
056
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Time of beginning or end of precipitation
BHy_beginEndPrecip
0
13
057
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Size of precipitating element
BHy_precipElementSize
0
13
058
m
4
0
7
mm
1
3
Number of flashes (thunderstorm)
BHy_numLightningFlash
0
13
059
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Total accumulated precipitation
BHy_totalAccumPrecip
0
13
060
kg m-2
1
-1
17
kg m-2
1
5
Upstream water level
BHy_upstreamWaterLevel
0
13
071
m
2
0
14
m
2
4
Downstream water level
BHy_downstreamWaterLevel
0
13
072
m
2
0
14
m
2
4
Maximum water level
BHy_maxWaterLevel
0
13
073
m
2
0
14
m
2
4
Water pH
BHy_water_pH
0
13
080
pH unit
1
0
10
pH unit
1
3
Water conductivity
BHy_waterCondictivity
0
13
081
Siemens m-1
3
0
14
Siemens m-1
3
4
Water temperature
BHy_waterTemp
0
13
082
K
1
0
12
K
1
4
Dissolved oxygen
BHy_dissolvedO2
0
13
083
Kg m-3
6
0
15
kg m-3
6
5
Turbidity
BHy_turbidity
0
13
084
Lumen
0
0
14
Lumen
0
4
Oxydation Reduction Potential (ORP)
BHy_O2_reductionPotential
0
13
085
V
3
0
14
V
3
4
Radiometer water vapour content
BHy_radiometerWaterVapour
0
13
090
Kgm-2
1
0
10
Kgm-2
1
4
Radiometer liquid content
BHy_radiometerLiquidWater
0
13
091
Kgm-2
2
0
8
Kgm-2
2
3
Cloud optical thickness
BHy_cloudOpticalThickness
0
13
093
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Total column water vapour
BHy_totalColumnWaterVapour
0
13
095
Kgm-2
4
0
19
Kgm-2
4
6
MWR water vapour content
BHy_MWRwaterVapour
0
13
096
Kgm-2
2
0
14
Kgm-2
2
5
MWR liquid water content
BHy_MWRliquidWater
0
13
097
Kgm-2
2
0
14
Kgm-2
2
5
Integrated water vapour density
BHy_integratedWaterVapourDensity
0
13
098
Kgm-2
8
0
30
Kgm-2
8
10

(1) A precipitation value of -0.1kg m-2 before scaling (-1 after scaling or in CREX) shall indicate a "trace" (non-measurable, less than 0.05 kg m-2).

(2) A snow depth value of -0.01 m before scaling (-1 after scaling or in CREX) shall indicate a little (less than 0.005 m) snow. A value of -0.02 m (-2 after scaling or in CREX) shall indicate "snow cover not continuous".

(3) The "parcel lifted index" (as defined in the International Meteorological Vocabulary (WMO-No. 182) under the listing "lifted index") is defined as the temperature difference between the ambient 500 hPa temperature (T500) and that of a parcel of air lifted from the surface (Tparcel) following the dry and moist adiabatic process. Negative values of (T500 - Tparcel) suggest instability. The "best lifted index" is defined as the most unstable of a collection of parcel lifted indices, with parcel initial conditions defined for a collection of 30 hPa thick layers stacked one upon the other with the lowest resting on the ground. Commonly four to six such layers are used in the calculation.

(4) Since the two lifted indices (042 and 043) are defined as temperature differences, they may take on negative values, even though the units are kelvin; hence the non-zero reference value.

(5) Descriptor 0 13 033 should be used instead of descriptor 0 13 032 to encode evaporation/evapotranspiration.

(6) Concerning descriptor 0 13 009, the originators of these data want to be able to retain the raw (i.e. unprocessed) relative humidity value reported by the sensor in order to be able to track, among other things, when a sensor begins to malfunction. The latter case is when a negative value might occur. For world-wide exchange with other countries, it is possible that only the processed data would ever be sent.

(7) The "Modified Showalter stability index" is defined as the temperature difference between the ambient 500 hPa temperature and the temperature a parcel of air, initially at a selected base level, would have if brought from its condensation level to the 500 hPa surface by a moist adiabatic process. Positive values denote stable conditions, while negative values denote unstable conditions. The base level is 850 hPa, 800hPa or 750 hPa if the station elevation is less than 1000, 1000 to 1400 or 1401 to 2000 gpm above mean sea level, respectively.

Class 14 - Radiation and radiance

See reference in

Long-wave radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrLongWaveRadiation
0
14
001
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Long-wave radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_longWaveRadiationmOver
0
14
002
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Short-wave radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrShortWaveRadiation
0
14
003
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Short-wave radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_shortWaveRadiationmOver
0
14
004
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Net long-wave radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrNetLongWave
0
14
011
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Net long-wave radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_NetLongWaveOver
0
14
012
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Net short-wave radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrNetShortWave
0
14
013
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Net short-wave radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_NetShortWaveOver
0
14
014
J m-2
-3
-2048
12
J m-2
-3
4
Net radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrNetRadiation
0
14
015
J m-2
-4
-16384
15
J m-2
-4
5
Net radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_netRadiationOver
0
14
016
J m-2
-4
-16384
15
J m-2
-4
5
Instantaneous long-wave radiation

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_instantLongWave
0
14
017
W m-2
-3
-2048
12
W m-2
-3
4
Instantaneous short-wave radiation

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_instantShortWave
0
14
018
W m-2
-3
-2048
12
W m-2
-3
4
Surface albedo
BRR_surfaceAlbedo
0
14
019
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Global solar radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrGlobalSolar
0
14
020
J m-2
-4
0
15
J m-2
-4
5
Global solar radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_globalSolarOver_1
0
14
021
J m-2
-4
0
15
J m-2
-4
5
Diffuse solar radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrDiffuseSolar_1
0
14
022
J m-2
-4
0
15
J m-2
-4
5
Diffuse solar radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_diffuseSolarOver
0
14
023
J m-2
-4
0
15
J m-2
-4
5
Direct solar radiation, integrated over 24 hours

Note 1

Note 2

BRR_24hrDirectSolar
0
14
024
J m-2
-4
0
15
J m-2
-4
5
Direct solar radiation, integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_directSolarOver_1
0
14
025
J m-2
-4
0
15
J m-2
-4
5
Albedo at the top of clouds
BRR_albdooAtCloudTop
0
14
026
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Albedo
BRR_albedo
0
14
027
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Global solar radiation (high accuracy), integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_globarSolarOver_2
0
14
028
J m-2
-2
0
16
J m-2
-2
5
Diffuse solar radiation (high accuracy), integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_diffuseSolarOver_2
0
14
029
J m-2
-2
0
16
J m-2
-2
5
Direct solar radiation (high accuracy), integrated over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_directSolarOver_2
0
14
030
J m-2
-2
0
16
J m-2
-2
5
Total sunshine
BRR_totalSunshineMinute
0
14
031
Minute
0
0
11
Minute
0
4
Total sunshine
BRR_totalSunshibeHour
0
14
032
Hour
0
0
10
Hour
0
4
Total sunshine
BRR_totalSunshinePercent
0
14
033
%
0
0
9
%
0
3
Sunshine over period specified

Note 1

Note 2

Note 3

BRR_sunshineOver
0
14
034
Minute
0
0
11
Minute
0
4
Bi-directional reflectance
BRR_biDirectionalReflectance
0
14
042
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Channel radiance
BRR_channelRadiance
0
14
045
Wm-2sr-1cm-1
0
0
11
Wm-2sr-1cm-1
0
4
Scaled IASI radiance

Note 6

BRR_IASIradiance
0
14
046
Wm-2sr-1m-1
0
-5000
16
Wm-2sr-1m-1
0
5
Scaled mean AVHRR radiance
BRR_AVRRtadiance
0
14
047
Wm-2sr-1m-1
0
0
31
Wm-2sr-1m-1
0
10
Scaled standard deviation AVHRR radiance
BRR_SE_AVRRradiance
0
14
048
Wm-2sr-1m-1
0
0
31
Wm-2sr-1m-1
0
10
Emissivity

Note 5

BRR_emissivity
0
14
050
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Direct solar radiation integrated over last hour
BRR_1hrDirectSolarRadiation
0
14
051
J m-2
-3
0
14
Jm-2
3
4
Solar activity index
BRR_solarActivityIndex
0
14
055
Numeric
0
-32768
16
Numeric
0
5

(1) Downward radiation shall be assigned negative values.

(2) Upward radiation shall be assigned positive values.

(3) Where the expression "period specified" is entered under ELEMENT NAME, an appropriate period shall be specified using descriptors from class 04.

(4) Channel radiance (014045) uses cm to represent the wave number.

(5) Emissivity is the ratio of the amount of energy emitted from a particular object compared to the amount that would be emitted by a blackbody at the same temperature (I.e. the Planck function). Multiplying by 100 gives a percent (and provides 2 digits of precision at the same time).

(6) An offset has been introduced for the scaled IASI radiances (0-14-046). This is to accommodate the negative radiances which can be measured at some wave numbers, either due to effects of noise or remaining after apodisation. The offset is an order of magnitude larger than the expected maximum negative excursion based on instrument noise, and so would leave sufficient margin. At the same time the dynamic range is not significantly degraded.

Class 15 - Physical/chemical constituents

See reference in

Total ozone

Note 4

BPC_totalOzone
0
15
001
DU
0
0
10
DU
0
4
Air mass (slant path at 22 km)
BPC_airMassSlantPath
0
15
002
Numeric
2
0
10
Numeric
2
3
Measured ozone partial pressure (sounding)

Note 1

BPC_ozonePartialPressure
0
15
003
Pascal
4
0
9
nbar
0
3
Ozone sounding correction factor

Note 2

BPC_ozoneSoundingCorrection
0
15
004
Numeric
3
0
11
Numeric
3
4
Ozone p

Note 3

Note 4

BPC_ozonePressure
0
15
005
DU
0
0
10
DU
0
3
Log 10 of integrated electron density
BPC_logIntegratedElectronDensity
0
15
011
log (1/m2)
3
14000
13
log (m-2)
3
4
Maximum image spectral component before normalization
BPC_maxImageSpectralComponent
0
15
015
Numeric
0
0
31
Numeric
0
10
Integrated 03 density
BPC_integratedOzoneDensity
0
15
020
kg m-2
8
0
21
Kg m-2
8
7
Type of pollutant
BPC_pollutantType
0
15
025
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Concentration of pollutant (mol mol-1)
BPC_pollutantConcentration_1
0
15
026
mol mol-1
9
0
9
mol mol-1
9
3
Concentration of pollutant (kg m-3)
BPC_pollutantConcentration_2
0
15
027
kg m-3
9
0
10
kg m-3
9
4
Atmospheric path delay in satellite signal
BPC_atmosphericPathDelay
0
15
031
m
4
10000
15
m
4
5
Estimated error in atmospheric path delay
BPC_atmosphericPathDelayError
0
15
032
m
4
0
10
m
4
4
Difference in path delays for limb views at extremes of scan
BPC_pathDelayDifference
0
15
033
m
5
-10000
15
m
5
5
Estimated error in path delay difference
BPC_pathDelayDifferenceError
0
15
034
m
5
0
14
m
5
5
Component of zenith path delay due to water vapour
BPC_waterVapourZenithDelay
0
15
035
m
4
0
14
m
4
5
Atmospheric refractivity

Note 5

BPC_atmoshericRefractivity
0
15
036
N-units
3
0
19
N-units
3
6
Bending angle
BPC_bendingAngle
0
15
037
Radians
8
-100000
23
Radians
8
7

(1) 0 15 003 is partial pressur of ozone, measured at the pressure level identified by 0 07 004.

(2) 0 15 004 (CF) is defined as:

CF = TOI/TOS

where TOI is the integrated ozone value obtained "simultaneously to a sounding" from a Dobson or Brewer spectrophotometer at the site or "nearby" and TOS is the total ozone obtained from the sounding. TOS is sum of the integrated ozone below the lowest pressure level reached by the sounding and the estimate of the amount above. In the absence of any spectrophotometer measurement, CF = Missing value.

(3) 0 15 005 is the value obtained as the result of the vertical integration of the sounding values (0 15 003) measured below the lowest pressure level reached by the sonde, multiplied by 0 15 004.

(4) DU = Dobson unit.

(5) The refractivity, N, is related to the refractive index, n by the formula N = 106 (n - 1). N is therefore dimensionless but values computed by the formula are by convention described as being in N-units.

(6) Scaled descriptors should be preceded by descriptor 008090 which indicates the decimal magnitude of the scaled value. See note concerning descriptor 0 08 090 for further details.

Class 19 - Synoptic features

See reference in

Type of synoptic feature
BSF_synopticFeatureType
0
19
001
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Effective radius of feature

Note 1

BSF_effectiveRadius_1
0
19
002
m
-2
0
12
m
-2
4
Wind speed threshold

Note 2

BSF_windSpeedThreshold
0
19
003
m s-1
0
0
8
m s-1
0
3
Effective radius with respect to wind speeds above threshold

Note 1

Note 2

BSF_radiusWindAboveTheshold_1
0
19
004
m
-2
0
12
m
-2
4
Direction of motion of feature

Note 3

BSF_directionMotion
0
19
005
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Speed of motion of feature

Note 3

BSF_speedMotion
0
19
006
m s-1
2
0
14
m s-1
2
5
Effective radius of feature

Note 1

BSF_effectiveRadius_2
0
19
007
m
-3
0
12
m
-3
4
Vertical extent of circulation
BSF_verticalCirculation
0
19
008
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Effective radius with respect to wind speeds above threshold (large storms)

Note 1

BSF_radiusWindAboveTheshold_2
0
19
009
m
-3
0
12
m
-3
4
Method for tracking the centre of synoptic feature
BSF_centreTrackingMethod
0
19
010
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Time interval to calculate the movement of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_movementCalculation
0
19
100
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Accuracy of the position of the centre of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_centreAccuracy
0
19
101
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Shape and definition of the eye of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_eyeShape
0
19
102
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Diameter of major axis of the eye of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_eyeMajorAxis
0
19
103
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Change in character of the eye during the 30 minutes
BSF_TC_eye30MinChange
0
19
104
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Distance between the end of spiral band and the centre
BSF_TC_spiralBand
0
19
105
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Identification number of tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_IDnum
0
19
106
Numeric
0
0
Numeric
0
3
Time interval over which the movement of the tropical cyclone has been calculated
BSF_TC_movementInterval
0
19
107
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Accuracy of geographical position of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_positionAccuracy
0
19
108
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Mean diameter of the overcast cloud of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_cloudDiameter
0
19
109
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Apparent 24-hour change in intensity of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_24hrIntensityChange
0
19
110
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Current Intensity (CI) number of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_CurrentIntensityNum
0
19
111
Numeric
1
0
7
Numeric
1
3
Data Tropical (DT) number of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_DataTropicalNum
0
19
112
Numeric
1
0
7
Numeric
1
3
Cloud pattern type of the DT-number
BSF_TC_DTcloudPattern
0
19
113
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Model Expected Tropical (MET) number of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_modelExpectedTropicalNum
0
19
114
Numeric
1
0
7
Numeric
1
3
Trend of the past 24-hour change (+: Developed, -: Weakened)
BSF_TC_24hrTrend
0
19
115
Numeric
1
-30
6
Numeric
1
2
Pattern Tropical (PT) number of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_PatternTropicalNum
0
19
116
Numeric
1
0
7
Numeric
1
3
Cloud picture type of the PT-number
BSF_TC_PTcloudType
0
19
117
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Final Tropical (T) number of the tropical cyclone
BSF_TC_finalTropicalNum
0
19
118
Numeric
1
0
7
Numeric
1
3
Type of the final T-number
BSF_TC_finalTropicalType
0
19
119
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Typhoon International Common Number (Typhoon Committee)
BSF_TC_name
0
19
150
CCITTIA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4

(1) The effective radius of feature shall be defined with respect to the radius of the 1000-hPa isobars at mean sea level.

(2) Maximum wind and effective radius of maximum wind shall be indicated by means of the 0 19 003 and 0 19 004 entries.

(3) For a stationary feature, both 019005 (Direction of motion of feature) and 019006 (Speed of motion of feature) shall be reported 0.

Class 20 - Observed phenomena

See reference in

Horizontal visibility
BObs_horizontalVisib
0
20
001
m
-1
0
13
m
-1
4
Vertical visibility
BObs_verticalVisib
0
20
002
m
-1
0
7
m
-1
3
Present weather

Note 1

BObs_PresentWeather
0
20
003
Code table
0
0
9
Code table
0
3
Past weather (1)

Note 2

BObs_pastWeather_1
0
20
004
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Past weather (2)

Note 2

BObs_pastWeather_2
0
20
005
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Cloud distribution for aviation
BObs_aviationCloudDistrib
0
20
008
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
General Weather Indicator (TAF/METAR)
BObs_TAF_METAR_Weather
0
20
009
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Cloud cover (total) (see note 5)

Note 5

BObs_totalCloudCover
0
20
010
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Cloud amount
BObs_cloudAmount
0
20
011
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Cloud type
BObs_cloudType
0
20
012
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Height of base of cloud
BObs_cloudBaseHeight
0
20
013
m
-1
-40
11
m
-1
4
Height of top of cloud
BObs_cloudTopHeight
0
20
014
m
-1
-40
11
m
-1
4
Pressure at base of cloud
BObs_cloudBasePressure
0
20
015
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
-1
5
Pressure at top of cloud
BObs_cloudTopPressure
0
20
016
Pa
-1
0
14
Pa
-1
5
Cloud top description
BObs_cloudTopType
0
20
017
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Tendency of runway visual range
BObs_runwayVisRangeTendency
0
20
018
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Significant present or forecast weather
BObs_significantPresentWeather
0
20
019
CCITT IA5
0
0
72
Character
0
9
Significant recent weather phenomena
BObs_significantRecentWeather
0
20
020
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
Type of precipitation

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_precipType
0
20
021
Flag table
0
0
30
Flag table
0
10
Character of precipitation

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_precipCharacter
0
20
022
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Other weather phenomena

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_otherWeather
0
20
023
Flag table
0
0
18
Flag table
0
6
Intensity of phenomena

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_otherWeatherIntensity
0
20
024
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Obscuration

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_obscuration
0
20
025
Flag table
0
0
21
Flag table
0
7
Character of obscuration

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_obscurationCharacter
0
20
026
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Phenomena occurrence

Note 1

Note 2

BObs_phenomenaType
0
20
027
Flag table
0
0
9
Flag table
0
3
Expected change in intensity
BObs_FC_intensityChange
0
20
028
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Rain flag
BObs_rainFlag
0
20
029
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Ice deposit (thickness)
BObs_iceDeposit
0
20
031
m
2
0
7
m
2
3
Rate of ice accretion
BObs_iceRate
0
20
032
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Cause of ice accretion
BObs_iceCause
0
20
033
Flag table
0
0
4
Flag table
0
2
Sea ice concentration
BObs_seaIceConcn
0
20
034
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Amount and type of ice
BObs_iceAmount
0
20
035
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Ice situation
BObs_iceSitn
0
20
036
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Ice development
BObs_iceDevelop
0
20
037
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Bearing of ice edge

Note 3

BObs_iceEdgeBearing
0
20
038
Degree true
0
0
12*
Degree true
0
3
Ice distance
BObs_iceDistance
0
20
039
m
-1
0
13
m
-1
4
Evolution of drift snow
BObs_driftSnowEvoln
0
20
040
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Airframe icing
BObs_airframeIcing
0
20
041
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Airframe icing present
BObs_airframeIcingPresent
0
20
042
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Peak liquid water content
BObs_peakLiqWater
0
20
043
Kg m-3
4
0
7
Kg m-3
4
2
Average liquid water content
BObs_meanLiqWater
0
20
044
Kg m-3
4
0
7
Kg m-3
4
2
Supercooled large droplet (SLD) conditions
BObs_supercooledDroplet
0
20
045
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
2
Evolution of feature
BObs_evolutionType
0
20
048
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Cloud index
BObs_cloudIndex
0
20
050
Code table
0
0
8
Code table
0
3
Amount of low clouds
BObs_amountLowCloud
0
20
051
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Amount of middle clouds
BObs_amountMiddleCloud
0
20
052
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Amount of high clouds
BObs_amountHighCloud
0
20
053
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
True direction from which a phenomenon or clouds are moving
BObs_trueDirectionFrom
0
20
054
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
State of sky in the tropics
BObs_tropicSkyState
0
20
055
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Cloud phase
BObs_cloudPhase
0
20
056
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Runway visual range (RVR)
BObs_runwayVisRange
0
20
061
m
0
0
12
m
0
4
State of the ground (with or without snow)

Note 4

BObs_stateOfGround
0
20
062
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Special phenomena
BObs_specialPhenomena
0
20
063
Code table
0
0
10
Code table
0
4
Snow cover

Note 4

BObs_snowCover
0
20
065
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Maximum diameter of hailstones
BObs_hailMaxFiameter
0
20
066
m
3
0
8
m
3
3
Diameter of deposit
BObs_depositDiameter
0
20
067
m
3
0
9
m
3
3
Minimum number of atmospherics
BObs_MinAtmospheric
0
20
070
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Accuracy of fix and rate of atmospherics
BObs_fixAtmospheric
0
20
071
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Cloud amount in segment
BObs_segmentCloudAmount
0
20
081
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Amount segment cloud free
BObs_segmentCloudFree
0
20
082
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Amount of segment covered by scene
BObs_segmentCover
0
20
083
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Special clouds
BObs_spcialClouds
0
20
090
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Ice probability
BObs_iceProb
0
20
095
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
Ice age ("A" parameter)
BObs_ageOfIce
0
20
096
dB
2
-4096
13
dB
2
4
Locust (acridian) name
BObs_locustName
0
20
101
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Locust (maturity) color
BObs_locustColor
0
20
102
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Stage of development of locusts
BObs_locustStage
0
20
103
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Organization state of swarm or band of locusts
BObs_locustSwarmState
0
20
104
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Size of swarm or band of locusts and duration of passage of swarm
BObs_locustSwarmSize
0
20
105
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Locust population density
BObs_locustDensity
0
20
106
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Direction of movements of locust swarm
BObs_locustSwarmDirn
0
20
107
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Extent of vegetation
BObs_vegetationExtent
0
20
108
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2

(1) When encoding present weather reported from an automatic weather station, the appropriate combination of descriptors 0-20-021, 0-20-022, 0-20-023, 0-20-024, 0-20-025, 0-20-026 and 0-20-027 should be used and preferred. A descriptor 0-20-003 should be used only when descriptors mentioned above are not applicable.

(2) When encoding past weather reported from an automatic weather station, the appropriate combination of descriptors 0-20-021, 0-20-022, 0-20-023, 0-20-024, 0-20-025, 0-20-026 and 0-20-027 should be used and preferred. Descriptors 0-20-004 or 0-20-005 should be used only when descriptors mentioned above are not applicable.

(3) The data width for descriptor 0 20 038 originally defined to be 12 is wrong. Nine bits are sufficient as for all the other "degree true" quantities. However, the 12-bit width is maintained for historical consistency. Also: A bearing of ice edge value 0 shall indicate "Ship in shore or flaw lead".

(4) Snow cover will be reported for each satellite pixel as a percentage of coverage of the pixel. It does not seem feasible to try to use existing descriptor 0 20 062 for such a purpose because the use of that descriptor additionally implies details on, e.g. snow drifts, wet compared to dry snow, etc. that a satellite obviously cannot accurately detect.

(5) A cloud cover (total) value 113 shall indicate "Sky obscured by fog and/other meteorological phenomena.

Class 21 - Radar data

See reference in

Horizontal reflectivity
BRD_horizontalReflectivity
0
21
001
dB
0
-64
7
dB
0
3
Vertical reflectivity
BRD_verticalReflectivity
0
21
002
dB
0
-64
7
dB
0
3
Differential reflectivity
BRD_differentialReflectivity
0
21
003
dB
1
-5
7
dB
1
3
Linear depolarisation ratio
BRD_linearDepolar
0
21
005
dB
0
-65
6
dB
0
2
Circular depolarisation ratio
BRD_circularDepolar
0
21
006
dB
0
-65
6
dB
0
2
Doppler mean velocity in X-direction
BRD_XDopplerVelocity
0
21
011
m s-1
0
-128
8
m s-1
0
3
Doppler mean velocity in Y-direction
BRD_YDopplerVelocity
0
21
012
m s-1
0
-128
8
m s-1
0
3
Doppler mean velocity in Z-direction
BRD_ZDopplerVelocity
0
21
013
m s-1
0
-128
8
m s-1
0
3
Doppler mean velocity (radial)
BRD_RDopplerVelocity
0
21
014
m s-1
1
-4096
13
m s-1
1
4
Doppler velocity spectral width
BRD_dopplerVelocityWidth
0
21
017
m s-1
1
0
8
m s-1
1
3
Echo tops
BRD_echoTops
0
21
021
m
-3
0
4
m
-3
2
Signal to noise ratio
BRD_S_To_N_Ratio
0
21
030
dB
0
-32
8
dB
0
3
Vertically integrated liquid-water content
BRD_integratedLiquidWater
0
21
031
kg m-2
0
0
7
kg m-2
0
3
Radar rainfall intensity
BRD_radatRainfallintensity
0
21
036
m s-1
7
0
12
m s-1
7
4
Bright-band height
BRD_brightBandHeight
0
21
041
m
-2
0
8
m
-2
3
Signal power above 1 mW
BRD_signalPower_1mW
0
21
051
dB
0
-256
8
dB
0
3
Backscatter
BRD_backscatter
0
21
062
dB
2
-5000
13
dB
2
4
Radiometric resolution (noise value)
BRD_noiseValue
0
21
063
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Clutter noise estimate
BRD_clutter
0
21
064
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Missing packet counter
BRD_missingPackets
0
21
065
Numeric
0
-127
8
Numeric
0
3
Wave scatterometer product confidence data
BRD_waveConfidence
0
21
066
Flag table
0
0
12
Flag table
0
4
Wind product confidence data
BRD_windConfidence
0
21
067
Flag table
0
0
13
Flag table
0
5
Radar altimeter product confidence data
BRD_altimeterConfidence
0
21
068
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
SST product confidence data
BRD_SSTConfidence
0
21
069
Flag table
0
0
10
Flag table
0
4
SST product confidence data (SADIST-2)
BRD_SSTConfidence_2
0
21
070
Flag table
0
0
23
Flag table
0
6
Peakiness
BRD_peakiness
0
21
071
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
Satellite altimeter calibration status
BRD_altimeterStatus
0
21
072
Flag table
0
0
4
Flag table
0
2
Satelllite altimeter instrument mode
BRD_altimeterMode
0
21
073
Flag table
0
0
9
Flag table
0
3
Image spectrum intensity
BRD_imageSpectrum
0
21
075
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Representation of intensities
BRD_representation
0
21
076
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Altitude correction (ionosphere)
BRD_ionosphereCorrection
0
21
077
m
3
0
14
m
3
5
Altitude correction (dry troposphere)
BRD_dryTropCorrection
0
21
078
m
3
0
9
m
3
3
Altitude correction (wet troposphere)
BRD_wetTropCorrection
0
21
079
m
3
2000
10
m
3
4
Altitude correction (calibration constant)
BRD_calibrationCorrection
0
21
080
m
3
0
11
m
3
4
Open loop correction (height-time loop)
BRD_heightTimeCorrection
0
21
081
m
3
0
10
m
3
4
Open loop correction (auto gain control)
BRD_autoGainCorrection
0
21
082
dB
3
-3000
14
dB
3
5
Warm target calibration
BRD_warmCalibration
0
21
083
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
Cold target calibration
BRD_coldCalibration
0
21
084
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
ATSR sea surface temperature across- track band number
BRD_SSTXtrackBand
0
21
085
Numeric
0
0
4
Numeric
0
2
Number of pixels in Nadir only, average
BRD_pixelsInNadir
0
21
086
Numeric
0
0
9
Numeric
0
3
Number of pixels in dual view, average
BRD_pixelsInDual
0
21
087
Numeric
0
0
9
Numeric
0
3
Wet backscatter
BRD_wetBackscatter
0
21
088
dB
2
-5000
13
dB
2
4
Radar signal Doppler spectrum 0th moment
BRD_radarSignal0th
0
21
091
dB
0
-100
8
dB
0
3
RASS signal Doppler spectrum 0th moment, referring to RASS signal
BRD_RASSSignal0th
0
21
092
dB
0
-100
8
dB
0
3
Ku band peakiness
BRD_KuBandPeakiness
0
21
093
Numeric
3
0
16
Numeric
3
5
S band peakiness
BRD_SBandPeakiness
0
21
094
Numeric
3
0
16
Numeric
3
5
Number of vector ambiguities
BRD_NvectorAmbiguity
0
21
101
Numeric
0
0
3
Numeric
0
1
Index of selected wind vector
BRD_windVectorIndex
0
21
102
Numeric
0
0
3
Numeric
0
1
Total number of sigma-0 measurements
BRD_sigma0total
0
21
103
Numeric
0
0
5
Numeric
0
2
Likelihood computed for solution
BRD_likelihood
0
21
104
Numeric
3
-30000
15
Numeric
3
5
Normalized radar cross-section
BRD_normalRadarXscection
0
21
105
dB
2
-10000
14
dB
2
5
Kp variance coefficient (Alpha)
BRD_KpVarianceAlpha
0
21
106
Numeric
3
0
14
Numeric
3
5
Kp variance coefficient (Beta)
BRD_KpVarianceBeta
0
21
107
Numeric
8
0
16
Numeric
8
5
SEAWINDS wind vector cell quality
BRD_SEAWvectorCellQ
0
21
109
Flag table
0
0
17
Flag table
0
6
Number of inner-beam Sigma-0 (forward of satellite)
BRD_sigma0InnerForward
0
21
110
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Number of outer-beam Sigma-0 (forward of satellite)
BRD_sigma0OuterForward
0
21
111
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Number of inner-beam Sigma-0 (aft of satellite)
BRD_sigma0InnerAft
0
21
112
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Number of outer-beam Sigma-0 (aft of satellite)
BRD_sigma0OuterAft
0
21
113
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Kp variance coefficent (Gamma)
BRD_KpVarianceGamma
0
21
114
dB
3
-140000
18
dB
3
6
SEAWINDS sigma-0 quality
BRD_SEAWsigma0Q
0
21
115
Flag table
0
0
17
Flag table
0
6
SEAWINDS sigma-0 mode
BRD_SEAWsigma0Mode
0
21
116
Flag table
0
0
17
Flag table
0
6
Sigma-0 variance quality control
BRD_sigma0VarianceQ
0
21
117
Numeric
2
0
16
Numeric
2
5
Attenuation correction on sigma-0
BRD_sigma0AttenuationCorr
0
21
118
dB
2
-10000
14
dB
2
5
Wind scatterometer geophysical model function
BRD_windScatFunction
0
21
119
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Probability of rain
BRD_probRain
0
21
120
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
SEAWINDS NOF rain index

Note 1

BRD_SEAWrainIndex
0
21
121
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Attenuation correction of sigma-0 (from tB)
BRD_sigma0Attenuation_tB
0
21
122
dB
2
-10000
14
dB
2
5
SEAWINDS normalized radar cross section
BRD_SEAWnormRadarXsection
0
21
123
dB
2
-30000
15
dB
2
5
Number of valid points per second used to derive previous parameters
BRD_numberPointsPerSec
0
21
128
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Spectrum total energy
BRD_totalSpectrumE
0
21
130
Numeric
6
0
28
Numeric
6
9
Spectrum max energy
BRD_maxSpectrumE
0
21
131
Numeric
6
0
28
Numeric
6
9
Direction of spectrum max on higher resolution grid
BRD_maxSpectrumDirn
0
21
132
Degree
3
0
19
Degree
3
6
Wave-length of spectrum max on higher resolution grid
BRD_maxSpectrumLambda
0
21
133
m
3
0
29
m
3
9
Range resolution of cress covariance spectrum
BRD_XCovarResolution
0
21
134
Rad m-1
3
0
19
Rad m-1
3
6
Real part of cross spectra polar grid number of bins
BRD_RealXSpectrumNum
0
21
135
Numeric
3
-524288
20
Numeric
3
7
Imaginary part of cross spectra polar grid number of bins
BRD_ImagXSpectrumNum
0
21
136
Numeric
3
-524288
20
Numeric
3
7
KU band corrected ocean backscatter coefficient
BRD_KuBackscatter
0
21
137
dB
2
-32768
16
dB
2
5
Std KU band corrected ocean backscatter coefficient
BRD_StdKuBackscatter
0
21
138
dB
2
-32768
16
dB
2
5
KU band net instrumental correction for ACG
BRD_KuCorrectionACG
0
21
139
dB
2
-2048
12
dB
2
4
S band corrected ocean backscatter coefficient
BRD_SBackscatter
0
21
140
dB
2
-32768
16
dB
2
5
Std S band corrected ocean backscatter coefficient
BRD_StdSBackscatter
0
21
141
dB
2
-32768
16
dB
2
5
S band net instrumental correction for ACG
BRD_SCorrectionACG
0
21
142
dB
2
-1024
11
dB
2
4
KU band rain attenuation
BRD_KuRainAttenuation
0
21
143
dB
2
-1073741824
31
dB
2
10
Altimeter rain flag
BRD_AltimeterRainFlag
0
21
144
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
Beam collocation
BRD_beanCollocation
0
21
150
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Estimated error in sigma-0 at 40 deg. incidence angle
BRD_sigma0Error40deg
0
21
151
dB
2
0
9
dB
2
3
Slope at 40 deg. incidence angle
BRD_slope40deg
0
21
152
dB/Deg
2
-80
7
dB/Deg
2
2
Estimated error in slope at 40 deg. incidence angle
BRD_slopeError40deg
0
21
153
dB/Deg
2
-40
6
dB/Deg
2
2
Soil moisture sensitivity
BRD_soilMoistureSensitivity
0
21
154
dB
2
0
12
dB
2
4
Wind vector cell quality
BRD_windVectorCellQ
0
21
155
Flag table
0
0
24
Flag table
0
8
Backscatter distance
BRD_backscatterDistance
0
21
156
Numeric
1
-4096
13
Numeric
1
4
Loss per unit length of atmosphere used
BRD_lossInAtmosphere
0
21
157
dB m-1
10
0
22
dB m-1
10
7
ASCAT kp estimate quality
BRD_ASCAT_KpQ
0
21
158
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
ASCAT sigma-0 usability
BRD_ASCAT_sigma0
0
21
159
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
ASCAT use of synthetic data
BRD_ASCAT_synthetic
0
21
160
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
ASCAT synthetic data quality
BRD_ASCAT_syntheticQ
0
21
161
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
ASCAT satellite orbit and attitude quality
BRD_ASCAT_orbutQ
0
21
162
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
ASCAT solar array reflection contamination
BRD_ASCAT_contamination
0
21
163
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
ASCAT telemetry presence and quality
BRD_ASCAT_telemetry
0
21
164
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
ASCAT extrapolated reference function presence
BRD_ASCAT_function
0
21
165
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
ASCAT land fraction
BRD_ASCAT_landFraction
0
21
166
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4

Note 1 NOF = Normalized Objective Function

Class 22 - Oceanographic elements

See reference in

Direction of waves

Note 6

Note 8

BOce_waveDirn
0
22
001
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Direction of wind waves

Note 6

Note 8

BOce_windWaveDirn
0
22
002
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Direction of swell waves

Note 6

Note 8

BOce_swellDirn
0
22
003
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Direction of current

Note 7

BOce_currentDirn
0
22
004
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Direction of sea surface current
BOce_surfaceCurrentDirn
0
22
005
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Period of waves

Note 8

BOce_wavePeriod
0
22
011
s
0
0
6
s
0
2
Period of wind waves

Note 8

BOce_windWavePeriod
0
22
012
s
0
0
6
s
0
2
Period of swell waves

Note 8

BOce_swellPeriod
0
22
013
s
0
0
6
s
0
2
Height of waves

Note 8

BOce_waveHeight
0
22
021
m
1
0
10
m
1
4
Height of wind waves

Note 8

BOce_windWaveHeight
0
22
022
m
1
0
10
m
1
4
Height of swell waves

Note 8

BOce_swellHeight
0
22
023
m
1
0
10
m
1
4
Standard deviation wave height
BOce_waveHeightSE
0
22
025
m
2
0
10
m
2
4
Standard deviation of significant wave height

Note 1

BOce_sigWaveHeightSE
0
22
026
m
2
0
10
m
2
4
Speed of current
BOce_currentSpeed
0
22
031
m s-1
2
0
13
m s-1
2
4
Speed of sea surface current
BOce_surfaceCurrentSpeed
0
22
032
m s-1
2
0
13
m s-1
2
4
Tidal elevation with respect to local chart datum
BOce_LocalTidalElev_1
0
22
035
m
2
0
14
m
2
4
Meteorological residual tidal elevation (surge or offset)

Note 4

BOce_offsetTidalElev_1
0
22
036
m
2
0
14
m
2
4
Tidal elevation with respect to national land datum
BOce_nationalTidalElev
0
22
037
m
3
-10000
15
m
3
5
Tidal elevation with respect to local chart datum
BOce_LocalTidalElev_2
0
22
038
m
3
-10000
15
m
3
5
Meteorological residual tidal elevation (surge or offset)

Note 4

BOce_offsetTidalElev_2
0
22
039
m
3
-5000
12
m
3
4
Meteorological residual tidal elevation (surge or offset)

Note 4

BOce_offsetTidalElev_3
0
22
040
m
3
-5000
14
m
3
5
Sea-surface temperature (15-day running mean)
BOce_seaSurfaceTemp15
0
22
041
K
1
0
12
K
1
4
Sea/water temperature
BOce_seaTemp_1
0
22
042
K
1
0
12
K
1
4
Sea/water temperature
BOce_seaTemp_2
0
22
043
K
2
0
15
K
2
5
Sound velocity
BOce_soundVelocity
0
22
044
m s-1
1
0
14
m s-1
1
5
Sea/water temperature
BOce_seaTemp_3
0
22
045
K
3
0
19
K
3
6
Sea surface temperature
BOce_seaSurfaceTemp
0
22
049
K
2
0
15
K
2
5
Standard deviation sea-surface temperature
BOce_seaSurfaceTempSE
0
22
050
K
2
0
8
K
2
3
Float cycle number
BOce_floatCycle
0
22
055
Numeric
0
0
10
Numeric
0
3
Direction of profile
BOce_profileDirn
0
22
056
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Sea surface salinity
BOce_seaSurfaceSalinity
0
22
059
Part per thousand
2
0
14
Part per thousand
2
5
Lagrangian drifter drogue status
BOce_drifterStatus
0
22
060
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
State of the sea
BOce_seaState
0
22
061
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Salinity
BOce_salinity_1
0
22
062
Part per thousand
2
0
14
Part per thousand
2
5
Total water depth
BOce_totalWaterDepth
0
22
063
m
0
0
14
m
0
5
Salinity
BOce_salinity_2
0
22
064
Part per thousand
3
0
17
Part per thousand
3
6
Water pressure
BOce_waterPressure
0
22
065
Pa
-3
0
17
Pa
-3
6
Water conductivity
BOce_waterConduct
0
22
066
s m-1
6
0
26
S m-1
6
8
Instrument type for water temperature profile measurement
BOce_waterProfileInstrument
0
22
067
Code table
0
0
10
Code table
0
4
Water temperature profile recorder types
BOce_waterProfileRecorder
0
22
068
Code table
0
0
7
Code table
0
3
Spectral wave density
BOce_spectralWaveDensity
0
22
069
m2Hz-1
3
0
22
m2Hz-1
3
7
Significant wave height

Note 1

BOce_sigWaveHeight
0
22
070
m
2
0
13
m
2
4
Spectral peak wave period
BOce_peakSpectralWavePeriod
0
22
071
s
1
0
9
s
1
3
Spectral peak wave length
BOce_pealSpectralLambda
0
22
072
m
0
0
13
m
0
4
Maximum wave height
BOce_maxWaveHeight
0
22
073
m
2
0
13
m
2
4
Average wave period
BOce_meanWavePeriod
0
22
074
s
1
0
9
s
1
3
Average wave length
BOce_meanLambda
0
22
075
m
0
0
13
m
0
4
Direction from which dominant waves are coming

Note 2

BOce_dominantWaveDirn
0
22
076
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Directional spread of dominant wave

Note 2

BOce_dominantWaveSpread
0
22
077
Degree
0
0
9
Degree
0
3
Duration of wave record
BOce_waveRecordDuration
0
22
078
s
0
0
12
s
0
4
Length of wave record
BOce_waveRecordLenght
0
22
079
m
0
0
16
m
0
5
Waveband central frequency
BOce_centralFreq
0
22
080
Hz
3
0
10
Hz
3
4
Waveband central wave number
BOce_centralWaveNum
0
22
081
m-1
5
0
13
m-1
5
4
Maximum non-directional spectral wave density
BOce_maxSpectralDensity
0
22
082
m2 s
2
0
20
m2 s
2
7
Maximum non-directional spectral wave number
BOce_maxSpectralWaveNumber
0
22
083
m3
2
0
20
m3
2
7
Band containing maximum non- directional spectral wave density
BOce_bandMaxDensity
0
22
084
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Spectral wave density ratio
BOce_spectralDensity
0
22
085
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Mean direction from which waves are coming

Note 3

BOce_meanWaveDirn
0
22
086
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Principal direction from which waves are coming

Note 3

BOce_mainWaveDirn
0
22
087
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
First normalized polar coordinate from Fourier coefficients
BOce_1stPolarCoord
0
22
088
Numeric
2
0
7
Numeric
2
3
Second normalized polar coordinate from Fourier coefficients
BOce_2ndPolarCoord
0
22
089
Numeric
2
0
7
Numeric
2
3
Non-directional spectral estimate by wave frequency
BOce_nonDirectWaveFreq
0
22
090
m2 s
2
0
20
m2 s
2
7
Non-directional spectral estimate by wave number
BOce_nonDirectWaveNum
0
22
091
m3
2
0
20
m3
2
7
Directional spectral estimate by wave frequency
BOce_directWaveFreq
0
22
092
m2 rad-1 s
2
0
20
m2 rad-1 s
2
7
Directional spectral estimate by wave number
BOce_directWaveNum
0
22
093
m4
2
0
20
m4
2
7
Total number of wave bands
BOce_totalBands
0
22
094
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Directional spread of individual waves
BOce_directSpread
0
22
095
Degree
0
0
8
Degree
0
3
Spectral band width
BOce_bandWidth
0
22
096
s-1
3
0
4
s-1
3
2
Mean wavelength > 731 m of image spectrum at low wave numbers

Note 5

BOce_meanLambda
0
22
097
m
0
0
14
m
0
5
Wavelength spread (wavelength > 731 m) at low wave numbers

Note 5

BOce_LambdaSpread
0
22
098
m
0
0
14
m
0
5
Mean direction at low wave numbers (wavelength > 731 m)

Note 5

BOce_meanDirn
0
22
099
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Direction spread at low wave numbers(wavelength > 731 m)

Note 5

BOce_dirnSpread
0
22
100
Degree
0
0
9
Degree
0
3
Total energy (wavelength > 731m) at low wave numbers

Note 5

BOce_totalEnergy
0
22
101
Numeric
0
0
31
Numeric
0
10
Tide station automated water level check
BOce_autoTideWater
0
22
120
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Tide station manual water level check
BOce_manualTideWater
0
22
121
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Tide station automated meteorological data check
BOce_autoTideMeteor
0
22
122
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Tide station manual meteorological data check
BOce_manualTideMeteor
0
22
123
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Sea-surface temperature (15-day running mean)
BOce_SST_15day
0
22
141
K
2
0
15
K
2
5
Number of 18 Hz valid points for KU band
BOce_KUband18Hz
0
22
150
Numeric
0
0
10
Numeric
0
4
KU band ocean range
BOce_KUbandOcean
0
22
151
m
3
0
31
m
3
10
STD of 18 Hz KU band ocean range
BOce_STDKUband18Hz
0
22
152
m
3
0
16
m
3
5
Number of 18 Hz valid points for S band
BOce_Sband18Hz
0
22
153
Numeric
0
0
10
Numeric
0
4
S band ocean range
BOce_SbandOcean
0
22
154
m
3
0
31
m
3
10
STD of 18 Hz S band ocean range
BOce_STDSband18Hz
0
22
155
m
3
0
16
m
3
5
KU band significant wave height

Note 1

BOce_KUsigWave
0
22
156
m
3
0
16
m
3
5
STD 18Hz KU band significant wave height

Note 1

BOce_STDKU18HzSigWave
0
22
157
m
3
0
16
m
3
5
S band significant wave height

Note 1

BOce_SsigWave
0
22
158
m
3
0
16
m
3
5
STD 18Hz S band significant wave height

Note 1

BOce_STDS18HzSigWave
0
22
159
m
3
0
16
m
3
5
Normalized inverse wave age
BOce_invWaveAge
0
22
160
Numeric
6
0
21
Numeric
6
7
Wave spectra
BOce_waveSpectra
0
22
161
m4
4
0
27
m4
4
9
Class 23 - Dispersal and transport

See reference in

Accident early notification article applicable
BDT_earlyNotification
0
23
001
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Activity or facility involved in incident
BDT_incidentActivity
0
23
002
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Type of release
BDT_releaseType
0
23
003
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Countermeasures taken near border
BDT_countermeasures
0
23
004
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Cause of incident
BDT_incidentCause
0
23
005
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Incident situation
BDT_incident
0
23
006
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Characteristics of release
BDT_releaseCharacter
0
23
007
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
State of current release
BDT_currentRelease
0
23
008
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
State of expected release
BDT_expectedRelease
0
23
009
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Possibility of significant chemical toxic health effect
BDT_healthEffect
0
23
016
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Flow discharge of major recipient
BDT_flowDischarge
0
23
017
m3 s-1
6
0
20
m3 s-1
6
7
Release behaviour over time
BDT_releaseBehaviour
0
23
018
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Actual release height
BDT_actualReleaseHeight
0
23
019
M
0
-15000
17
m
0
6
Effective release height
BDT_effectiveRelaseHeight
0
23
021
M
0
-15000
17
m
0
6
Distance of release point or site of incident
BDT_releaseDistance
0
23
022
M
0
0
24
m
0
8
Main transport speed in the atmosphere
BDT_atmTransportSpeed
0
23
023
m s-1
1
0
12
m s-1
1
4
Main transport speed in water
BDT_waterTransportSpeed
0
23
024
m s-1
2
0
13
m s-1
2
4
Main transport speed in ground water
BDT_groundWaterTransSpeed
0
23
025
m s-1
2
0
13
m s-1
2
4
Main transport direction in the atmosphere
BDT_atmTransportDirn
0
23
027
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Main transport direction in water
BDT_waterTransportDirn
0
23
028
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Main transport direction in ground water
BDT_groundWaterTransDirn
0
23
029
Degree true
0
0
9
Degree true
0
3
Possibility that plume will encounter precipitation in State in which incident occurred
BDT_plumePrecipProb
0
23
031
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Plume will encounter change in wind direction and/or speed flag
BDT_plumeWindChange
0
23
032
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Class 24 - Radiological elements

See reference in

Estimate of amount of radioactivity released up to specified time

Note 1

Note 3

BRE_amountReleased
0
24
001
Bq
-11
0
28
Bq
-11
9
Estimated maximum potential release

Note 1

BRE_maxPossRelease
0
24
002
Bq
-11
0
28
Bq
-11
9
Composition of release
BRE_releaseType
0
24
003
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Element name
BRE_element
0
24
004
CCITT IA5
0
0
16
Character
0
2
Isotope mass
BRE_isotopeMass
0
24
005
Numeric
0
0
9
Numeric
0
3
Dose

Note 2

Note 3

Note 4

BRE_dose
0
24
011
mSv
2
0
32
mSv
2
10
Trajectory dose (defined location and expected time of arrival)

Note 2

BRE_trajectoryDose
0
24
012
mSv
2
0
32
mSv
2
10
Gamma dose in air along the main transport path (defined location and time period)

Note 2

BRE_gammaDose
0
24
013
mSv
2
0
32
mSv
2
10
Air concentration (of named isotope type including gross beta)

Note 2

BRE_airConcentration
0
24
021
Bq m-3
2
0
32
Bq m-3
2
10
Concentration in precipitation (of names isotope type)

Note 2

BRE_precipConcentration
0
24
022
Bq l-1
2
0
32
Bq l-1
2
10
Pulse rate of beta radiation
BRE_betaPulseRate
0
24
023
s-1
1
0
14
s-1
1
4
Pulse rate of gamma radiation
BRE_gammaPulseRate
0
24
024
s-1
1
0
14
s-1
1
4
Class 25 - Processing information

See reference in

Range-gate length
BPI_tangeGateLength
0
25
001
m
-1
0
6
m
1
2
Number of gates averaged
BPI_meanNumGates
0
25
002
Numeric
0
0
4
Numeric
0
2
Number of integrated pulses
BPI_integratedPulses
0
25
003
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Echo processing
BPI_echoProcess
0
25
004
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Echo integration
BPI_echoIntegrate
0
25
005
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Z to R conversion
BPI_ZtoR
0
25
006
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Z to R conversion factor
BPI_ZtoRfactor
0
25
007
Numeric
0
0
12
Numeric
0
4
Z to R conversion exponent
BPI_ZtoRexponent
0
25
008
Numeric
2
0
9
Numeric
2
3
Calibration method

Note 4

BPI_calibration_1
0
25
009
Flag table
0
0
4
Flag table
0
2
Clutter treatment
BPI_clutter
0
25
010
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Ground occultation correction (screening)
BPI_groundOccultation
0
25
011
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Range attenuation correction
BPI_rangeAttenuation
0
25
012
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Bright-band correction
BPI_brightBand
0
25
013
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
Azimuth clutter cut-off

Note 1

BPI_azimuthCutOff
0
25
014
Numeric
0
0
12
Numeric
0
4
Radome attenuation correction
BPI_ radomeAttenuation
0
25
015
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
Clear-air attenuation correction
BPI_clearAirAttenuation
0
25
016
dB m-1
5
0
6
dB m-1
5
2
Precipitation attenuation correction
BPI_precipAttenuation
0
25
017
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
A to Z law for attenuation factor
BPI_AtoZfactor
0
25
018
Numeric
7
0
6
Numeric
7
2
A to Z law for attenuation exponent
BPI_AtoZexponent
0
25
019
Numeric
2
0
7
Numeric
2
3
Mean speed estimation
BPI_meanSpeedEstim
0
25
020
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Wind computation enhancement
BPI_windEnhancement
0
25
021
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Battery voltage
BPI_batteryVoltage_1
0
25
025
V
1
0
9
V
1
3
Battery voltage (large range)
BPI_batteryVoltage_2
0
25
026
V
1
0
12
V
1
4
Operator or manufacturer defined parameter
BPI_operatorParameter
0
25
028
Numeric
1
-16384
15
Numeric
1
5
Calibration method

Note 4

BPI_calibration_2
0
25
029
Flag table
0
0
6
Flag table
0
2
Running mean sea-surface temperature usage
BPI_meanSSTusage
0
25
030
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Wind profiler mode information

Note 5

BPI_windProfMode
0
25
032
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Wind profiler submode information

Note 5

BPI_windProfSubmode
0
25
033
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Wind profiler quality control test results

Note 5

BPI_windProfQ
0
25
034
Flag table
0
0
4
Flag table
0
2
Atmospherics location method
BPI_atmosphericsMethod
0
25
036
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
CO2 wind product derivation
BPI_CO2deriviation
0
25
040
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Moving platform direction reporting method
BPI_directionReport
0
25
041
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Moving platform speed reporting method
BPI_speedReport
0
25
042
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Wave sampling interval (time)
BPI_waveTimeStep
0
25
043
s
4
0
15
s
4
5
Wave sampling interval (space)
BPI_waveSpaceStep
0
25
044
m
2
0
14
m
2
5
HIRS channel combination
BPI_HIRSchannel
0
25
045
Flag table
0
0
21
Flag table
0
7
MSU channel combination
BPI_MSUchannel
0
25
046
Flag table
0
0
5
Flag table
0
2
SSU channel combination
BPI_SSUchannel
0
25
047
Flag table
0
0
4
Flag table
0
2
AMSU-A channel combination
BPI_AMSU_Achannel
0
25
048
Flag table
0
0
16
Flag table
0
6
AMSU-B channel combination
BPI_AMSU_Bchannel
0
25
049
Flag table
0
0
6
Flag table
0
2
Principal component score
BPI_PCscore
0
25
050
Numeric
4
-131072
Numeric
4
6
AVHRR channel combination
BPI_AVHRRchannel
0
25
051
Flag table
0
0
7
Flag table
0
3
Log-10 of principal components normalized fit to data
BPI_log10Fit
0
25
052
Numeric
4
0
15
Numeric
4
5
Observation quality
BPI_obsQ
0
25
053
Flag table
0
0
12
Flag table
0
4
SSMIS Subframe ID member
BPI_SSMIS_ID
0
25
054
Numeric
0
0
5
Numeric
0
2
Multiplexer housekeeping
BPI_multiplex
0
25
055
K
2
0
16
K
2
5
Software identification

Note 2

BPI_softwareID
0
25
060
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
5
Software identification and version number

Note 2

BPI_softwareID_2
0
25
061
CCITT IA5
0
0
96
Character
0
12
Database identification
BPI_databaseID
0
25
062
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
5
Orientation correction (azimuth)
BPI_azimuthCorrect
0
25
065
Degree
2
-1000
11
Degree
2
4
Orientation correction (elevation)
BPI_elevationCorrect
0
25
066
Degree
2
-1000
11
Degree
2
4
Radiosonde release point pressure correction
BPI_sondeReleaseCorrect
0
25
067
Pa
0
-8000
14
Pa
0
4
Number of archive recomputes
BPI_recomputes
0
25
068
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Flight level pressure corrections
BPI_flightLevelCorrect
0
25
069
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Major frame count
BPI_majorFrameCount
0
25
070
Numeric
0
0
4
Numeric
0
2
Frame count
BPI_frameCount
0
25
071
Numeric
0
0
5
Numeric
0
2
Satellite antenna corrections version number
BPI_antennaVersion
0
25
075
Numeric
0
0
5
Numeric
0
2
Log-10 of (Temperature-radiance central wavenumber) for ATOVS
BPI_ATOVSlog10WaveNum
0
25
076
Log m-1
8
0
30
log m-1
8
10
Bandwidth correction coefficient 1 for ATOVS
BPI_ATOVScoeff1
0
25
077
Numeric
5
-100000
18
Numeric
5
7
Bandwidth correction coefficient 2 for ATOVS
BPI_AYOVScoeff2
0
25
078
Numeric
5
0
17
Numeric
5
6
Albedo-radiance solar filtered irradiance for ATOVS
BPI_ATOVSirradiance
0
25
079
W m-2
4
0
24
W m-2
4
8
Albedo-radiance equivalent filter width for ATOVS
BPI_ATOVSfilterWidth
0
25
080
m
10
0
14
m
10
5
Fraction of clear pixels in HIRS FOV
BPI_GIRSclearFract
0
25
085
Numeric
0
0
7
Numeric
0
3
Depth correction indicator
BPI_depthCorrect
0
25
086
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Structure constant of the refraction index (Cn2)
BPI_structureConst
0
25
091
dB
3
-18192
13
dB
3
5
Acoustic propagation velocity
BPI_acousticVelocity
0
25
092
m s-1
2
28000
14
m s-1
2
5
RASS computation correction
BPI_RASScorrect
0
25
093
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Altimeter state flag
BPI_altimeterState
0
25
095
Flag table
0
0
2
Flag table
0
1
Radiometer state flag
BPI_radiometerState
0
25
096
Flag table
0
0
5
Flag table
0
2
Three dimensional error estimate of the navigator orbit
BPI_3Derror
0
25
097
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
XBT/XCTD fall rate equation coefficient a
BPI_XBTcoeff_a
0
25
100
Numeric
5
0
20
Numeric
5
6
XBT/XCTD fall rate equation coefficient b
BPI_XBTcoeff_b
0
25
101
Numeric
5
-500000
21
Numeric
5
6
Number of missing lines excluding data gaps
BPI_missingLines
0
25
102
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Number of directional bins
BPI_directBins
0
25
103
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Number of wave-length bins
BPI_lambdaBins
0
25
104
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
First directional bin
BPI_1stDirectBin
0
25
105
Degree
3
0
Degree
3
6
Directional bin step
BPI_directBinStep
0
25
106
Degree
3
0
Degree
3
6
First wave-length bin
BPI_1stLambdaBin
0
25
107
m
3
0
29
m
3
9
Last wave-length bin
BPI_lastLambdaBin
0
25
108
m
3
0
29
m
3
9
Image processing summary
BPI_imageProc
0
25
110
Flag table
0
0
Flag table
0
4
Number of input data gaps
BPI_inputGaps
0
25
111
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
RA2-L2-processing flag
BPI_RA2flag
0
25
120
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
RA2-L2-processing quality
BPI_RA2Q
0
25
121
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Hardware configuration for RF
BPI_RFconfig
0
25
122
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Hardware configuration for HPA
BPI_HPAconfig
0
25
123
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
MWR L2 Processing flag
BPI_MWRflag
0
25
124
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
MWR L2-processing quality
BPI_MWRQ
0
25
125
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Model dry tropospheric correction
BPI_modelDryTropCorrect
0
25
126
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Inverted barometer correction
BPI_invertBaromCorrect
0
25
127
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Model wet tropospheric correction
BPI_modelWetTropCorrect
0
25
128
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
MWR derived wet tropospheric correction
BPI_MWRwetTropCorrect
0
25
129
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
RA2 ionospheric correction on KU band
BPI_RA2_KU_correct
0
25
130
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Ionospheric correction from Doris on KU band
BPI_Doris_KU_correct
0
25
131
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Ionospheric correction from model on KU band
BPI_model_KU_correct
0
25
132
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Sea state bias correction on KU band
BPI_seaState_KU_correct
0
25
133
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
RA2 ionospheric correction on S band
BPI_RA2_S_correct
0
25
134
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Ionospheric correction from Doris on S band
BPI_Doris_S_correct
0
25
135
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Ionospheric correction from model on S band
BPI_model_S_correct
0
25
136
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Sea state bias correction on S band
BPI_seaState_S_correct
0
25
137
m
3
-32768
16
m
3
5
Average signal to noise ration
BPI_averageStoN
0
25
138
Numeric
0
-2048
12
Numeric
0
4
Start channel
BPI_startChannel
0
25
140
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
5
End channel
BPI_endChannel
0
25
141
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
5
Channel scale factor
BPI_channelScale
0
25
142
Numeric
0
0
6
Numeric
0
2
Method of tropical cyclone intensity analysis using satellite data
BPI_TC_intensityMethod
0
25
150
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2

(1) 0 25 014 nominal input range 0 - 2300

(2) The actual meaning may be obtained from the originator of the data.

(3) Descriptor 0 25 143 is intended for numerical, non-dimensional values to be used as coefficients in statistical or linear processing. Each instance of 025143 should be characterized by using an appropriate significance qualifier, such as 008026. Descriptor 143 is to be found in CREX document only

(4) Descriptor 0 25 009 is deprecated. 0 25 029 should be used instead

(5) The meaning of these quantities should be obtained from the originator of the data.

Class 26 - Non-coordinate location (time)

See reference in

Principal time of daily reading in UTC of maximum temperature
BLT_timeOfMaxTemp
0
26
001
Hour
1
0
12
Hour
1
3
Principal time of daily reading in UTC of minimum temperature
BLT_timeOfMinTemp
0
26
002
Hour
1
0
12
Hour
1
3
Time difference

Note 1

BLT_timeDifference
0
26
003
Minute
0
-1440
12
Minute
0
4
Hours included
BLT_hoursInCode
0
26
010
Flag table
0
0
26
Flag table
0
9
Duration of precipitation
BLT_precipDuration
0
26
020
Minute
0
0
11
Minute
0
4

Note 1 Descriptor 0 26 003 is to be used with 0 08 025 (time difference qualifier).

Class 27 - Non-coordinate location (horizontal - 1)

See reference in

Latitude (high accuracy)
BLX_hiPrecsnLat
0
27
001
Degree
5
-9000000
25
Degree
5
7
Latitude (coarse accuracy)
BLX_lowPrecsnLat
0
27
002
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
4
Alternate latitude (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

BLX_lowPrecsnAlternateLat
0
27
003
Degree
2
-9000
15
Degree
2
4
Alternate latitude (high accuracy)

Note 1

BLX_hiPrecsnAlternateLat
0
27
004
Degree
5
-9000000
25
Degree
5
7
Satellite location counter

Note 2

BLX_SatLocationCounter
0
27
020
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
Satellite sublocation dimension

Note 3

BLX_SatSublocation
0
27
021
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
In direction of 0 degrees longitude, distance from the Earths centre

Note 4

Note 5

BLX_0NdistanceToCentre
0
27
031
m
2
-1073741824
31
m
2
10
Viewing Azimuth angle
BLX_viewingAzimuth
0
27
080
Degree true
2
0
16
Degree true
0
5

(1) The alternate latitude may be used when the computation of the position yields multiple solutions and there is no a priori way to distinguish between them.

(2) The satellite location counter is calculated as:

counter = superswath no. x 1000 + box no. x 10 + minibox no.

(3) The satellite sublocation dimension is calculated as:

dimension = minibox dimension + box dimension

where: | minibox dimension | = lines x 1000 | + spots x 100
| box dimension | = lines x 10 | + spots

(4) The value for descriptor 0 27 031 has been chosen to be suitable for polar orbiting satellites in approximately sun-synchronous orbits. Geostationary orbits would require greater data widths for distance and slightly less for speed.

(5) Left handed xyz axes have been chosen for descriptor 0 27 031.

Class 28 - Non-coordinate location (horizontal - 2)

See reference in

Longitude (high accuracy)
BLY_hiPrecsnLon
0
28
001
Degree
5
-18000000
26
Degree
5
8
Longitude (coarse accuracy)
BLY_lowPrecsnLon
0
28
002
Degree
2
-18000
16
Degree
2
5
Alternate longitude (coarse accuracy)

Note 1

BLY_lowPrecsnAlternateLon
0
28
003
Degree
2
-18000
16
Degree
2
5
Alternate longitude (high accuracy)

Note 1

BLY_hiPrecsnAlternateLon
0
28
004
Degree
5
-18000000
26
Degree
5
8
In direction 90 degrees East, distance from the Earths centre

Note 2

Note 3

BLY_90EdistanceToCentre
0
28
031
m
2
-1073741824
31
m
2
10

(1) The alternate longitude may be used when the computation of the position yields multiple solutions and there is no a priori way to distinguish between them.

(2) The value for descriptor 0 28 031 has been chosen to be suitable for polar orbiting satellites in approximately sun-synchronous orbits. Geostationary orbits would require greater data widths for distance and slightly less for speed.

(3) Left handed xyz axes have been chosen for descriptor 0 28 031.

Class 29 - Map data

See reference in

Projection type
BMap_projection
0
29
001
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Co-ordinate grid type
BMap_grid
0
29
002
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Class 30 - Image

See reference in

Pixel value (4 bits)

Note 1

Note 2

BI_pixel4
0
30
001
Numeric
0
0
4
Numeric
0
2
Pixel value (8 bits)

Note 1

Note 2

BI_pixel8
0
30
002
Numeric
0
0
8
Numeric
0
3
Pixel value (16 bits)

Note 1

Note 2

BI_pixel16
0
30
004
Numeric
0
0
16
Numeric
0
5
Number of pixels per row
BI_pixelPerRow
0
30
021
Numeric
0
0
12
Numeric
0
4
Number of pixels per column
BI_pixelPerCol
0
30
022
Numeric
0
0
12
Numeric
0
4
Picture type
BI_imageType
0
30
031
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Combination with other data
BI_imageCombo
0
30
032
Flag table
0
0
16
Flag table
0
6

(1) Pixel data width can be changed with descriptor 2 01 YYY.

(2) In order to distinguish unambiguously the cases of missing data and saturated pixels, n-bit image data should be encoded using a data width of n+1. Where such a descriptor is not already available in Class 30, operator descriptor 2 01 YYY should be used to modify the data width of the existing entry as required.

Class 31 - Data description operator qualifiers

See reference in

Short delayed descriptor replication factor

Note 1

BOQ_shortDelayReplication
0
31
000
Numeric
0
0
1
Delayed descriptor replication factor

Note 1

BOQ_delayReplication
0
31
001
Numeric
0
0
8
Extended delayed descriptor replication factor

Note 1

BOQ_extendDelayReplication
0
31
002
Numeric
0
0
16
Delayed descriptor and data repetition factor
BOQ_delayRepetition
0
31
011
Numeric
0
0
8
Extended delayed descriptor and data repetition factor
BOQ_extendDelayRepetition
0
31
012
Numeric
0
0
16
Associated field significance
BOQ_assocFieldSig
0
31
021
Code table
0
0
6
Data present indicator

Note 2

Note 3

BOQ_dataPresent
0
31
031
Flag table
0
0
1

(1) The "delayed descriptor and data repetition factor" is intended for run-length encoding (e.g. scanning an image). It specifies a count N which applies to both descriptor and data, i.e. the value of the single element defined by the following descriptor is repeated N times (at intervals already specified).

(2) Descriptor 0 31 031, used in conjunction with quality control or statistics operators 2 22 YYY through 2 32 YYY, shall indicate the presence of quality control information when the indicator value is set to zero. It may be used, in conjunction with the replication operator 1 01 YYY, to construct a table of data present/not present indicators, forming a data present bit-map as defined in Regulation 94.5.5.3. This makes it possible to present quality control information and statistical information for selected data corresponding to element descriptors which precede the 2 22 to 32 YYY operators.

(3) Other applications of the data present indicator may be developed.

Class 33 - Quality information

See reference in

Quality information
BQI_quality_1
0
33
002
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Quality information
BQI_quality_2
0
33
003
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Quality information (AWS data)
BQI_AWSquality
0
33
005
Flag table
0
0
30
Flag table
0
10
Internal measurement status information (AWS)
BQI_AWSstatus
0
33
006
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Per cent confidence
BQI_perCentConfidence
0
33
007
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Data quality check indicator
BQI_dataQualityCheck
0
33
015
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Quality control indication of following value
BQI_QCfollowing
0
33
020
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Quality of following value
BQI_Qfollowing
0
33
021
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Quality of buoy satellite transmission
BQI_buoy-SatQuality
0
33
022
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Quality of buoy location
BQI_buoylocationQ
0
33
023
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Station elevation quality mark (for mobile stations)
BQI_elevationQualitymark
0
33
024
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
ACARS interpolated values
BQI_ACARSinterolated
0
33
025
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Moisture quality
BQI_moistureQ
0
33
026
Code table
0
0
6
Code table
0
2
Location quality class (range of radius of 66 % confidence)
BQI_locatiionQ
0
33
027
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Scan line status flags for ATOVS
BQI_ATOVSscanStatus
0
33
030
Flag table
0
0
24
Flag table
0
8
Scan line quality flags for ATOVS
BQI_ATOVSscanQ
0
33
031
Flag table
0
0
24
Flag table
0
8
Channel quality flags for ATOVS
BQI_ATOVSchannelQ
0
33
032
Flag table
0
0
24
Flag table
0
8
Field of view quality flags for ATOVS
BQI_ATOVS_FOV_Q
0
33
033
Flag table
0
0
24
Flag table
0
8
Manual/automatic quality control
BQI_manualAutoQ
0
33
035
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
Nominal confidence threshold
BQI_nominalConfidence
0
33
036
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Wind correlation error
BQI_windCorrellationQ
0
33
037
Flag table
0
0
20
Flag table
0
7
Quality flags for ground-based GNSS data
BQI_GNSSgroundBasedQ
0
33
038
Flag table
0
0
10
Flag table
0
4
Quality flags for Radio Occultation data
BQI_radioOccultationQ
0
33
039
Flag table
0
0
16
Flag table
0
6
Confidence interval
BQI_confidenceInterval
0
33
040
%
0
0
7
Percent
0
3
Attribute of following value
BQI_attributeFollowing
0
33
041
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Type of limit represented by following value
BQI_LimitTypeFollowing
0
33
042
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
AST confidence
BQI_ASTconfidence
0
33
043
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
ASAR quality information
BQI_ASAR_Q
0
33
044
Flag table
0
0
15
Flag table
0
5
Probability of following event
BQI_probFollowing
0
33
045
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Conditional probability of following event with respect to specified conditioning event
BQI_conditionalFollowing
0
33
046
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
Measurement confidence data
BQI_measureConfidence
0
33
047
Flag table
0
0
31
Flag table
0
11
Confidence measure of SAR inversion
BQI_SARinversionConfidence
0
33
048
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Confidence measure of wind retrieval
BQI_windRetrievalConfidence
0
33
049
Code table
0
0
2
Code table
0
1
Global GTSPP quality flag
BQI_GTSPP_Q
0
33
050
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
2
S band ocean retracking quality
BQI_SbandRetrackQ
0
33
052
Flag table
0
0
21
Flag table
0
7
KU band ocean retracking quality
BQI_KUbandRetrackQ
0
33
053
Flag table
0
0
21
Flag table
0
7
GqisFlagQual - individual IASI-System quality flag
BQI_ GqisFlagQual
0
33
060
Code Table
0
0
2
Code Table
0
1
GqisQualIndex - indicator for instrument noise performance (contributions from spectral and radiometric)
BQI_ GqisQualIndex
0
33
061
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
GqisQualIndexLoc - indicator for geometric quality index
BQI_ GqisQualIndexLoc
0
33
062
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
GqisQualIndexRad - indicator for instrument noise performance (contributions from radiometric calibration)
BQI_ GqisQualIndexRad
0
33
063
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
GqisQualIndexSpect - indicator for instrument noise performance (contributions from spectral calibration)
BQI_ GqisQualIndexSpect
0
33
064
%
0
0
7
%
0
3
GqisSysTecSondQual - output of system TEC (Technical Expertise Centre) quality function
BQI_ GqisSysTecSondQual
0
33
065
Numeric
0
0
24
Numeric
0
8

(1) When using descriptor 0-33-045 or 0-33-046, operator 2-41-000 shall be used in order to define the following event to which the reported probability value applies.

(2) When using descriptor 0-33-046, operator 2-42-000 shall precede the occurrence of this descriptor in order to define the event upon which the reported probability value is conditioned.

(3) When defining an event for use with descriptor 0-33-045 or 0-33-046, descriptor 0-33-042 may be employed in order to indicate that the following value is actually a bound for a range of values.

Class 35 - Data monitoring information

See reference in

FM and regional code number
BDM_regionCode
0
35
000
Code table
0
0
10
Code table
0
3
Time-frame for monitoring
BDM_timeFrame
0
35
001
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Number of reports actually received
BDM_reportsReceived
0
35
011
Numeric
0
0
14
Numeric
0
4
Bulletin being monitored (TTAAii)
BDM_headerTTAAii
0
35
021
CCITT IA5
0
0
48
Character
0
6
Bulletin being monitored (YYGGgg)
BDM_headerYYGGgg
0
35
022
CCITT IA5
0
0
48
Character
0
6
Bulletin being monitored (CCCC)
BDM_headerCCCC
0
35
023
CCITT IA5
0
0
32
Character
0
4
Bulletin being monitored (BBB)
BDM_headerBBB
0
35
024
CCITT IA5
0
0
24
Character
0
3
Discrepancies in the availability of expected data
BDM_availability
0
35
030
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
1
Qualifier on monitoring results
BDM_qualifier
0
35
031
Code table
0
0
7
Code table
0
2
Cause of missing data
BDM_missingCode
0
35
032
Code table
0
0
4
Code table
0
1
Observation and collection deficiencies
BDM_deficiencies
0
35
033
Code table
0
0
7
Code table
0
2
Statistical trends for availability of data (during the survey period(s))
BDM_trend
0
35
034
Code table
0
0
3
Code table
0
1
Reason for termination
BDM_reason
0
35
035
Code table
0
0
5
Code table
0
2
Class 40 - Satellite data

See reference in

Surface soil moisture (ms)
BSat_soilMoisture
0
40
001
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Estimated error in surface soil moisture
BSat_soilMoistError
0
40
002
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Mean surface soil moisture
BSat_meanSoilMoist
0
40
003
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
Rain fall detection
BSat_rainfall
0
40
004
Numeric
3
0
10
Numeric
3
4
Soil moisture correction flag
BSat_soilMoistCorrection
0
40
005
Flag table
0
0
8
Flag table
0
3
Soil moisture processing flag
BSat_soilMoistProcessing
0
40
006
Flag table
0
0
16
Flag table
0
6
Soil moisture quality
BSat_soilMoistureQ
0
40
007
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Frozen land surface fraction
BSat_frozenFraction
0
40
008
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Inundation and wetland fraction
BSat_wetlandFraction
0
40
009
%
1
0
10
%
1
4
Topographic complexity
BSat_topoComplexity
0
40
010
%
1
0
10
%
1
4