Surface Weather Observation XML (SW OB ML) Internal SWOB ML Product User Guide V8.2 E

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Cadre de
Gestion des
Données

Data
Management
Framework

Surface Weather Observation XML
(SW-OB-XML)
-Client User Guide-

February 8, 2019
Version 8.2

DMF Team

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Table of Contents
1.

DOCUMENT INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 5
1.1
1.2
1.3

2.

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
2.1
2.2
2.3

3.

HISTORY .................................................................................................................................................................... 5
FILENAME & LOCATION ........................................................................................................................................... 11
REFERENCED DOCUMENTS....................................................................................................................................... 11

OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................... 12
PURPOSE AND SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................... 13
INTENDED AUDIENCE ............................................................................................................................................... 14

DATA STANDARDIZATION .................................................................................................................................. 15
3.1 STANDARDIZATION OF INCOMING DATA BY THE DMS ............................................................................................. 15
3.2 STANDARDIZATION FOR THE SWOB ........................................................................................................................ 15
3.2.1
Element Short Labels: .................................................................................................................................... 15
3.2.2
Units: ............................................................................................................................................................. 16
3.2.3
Codes: ............................................................................................................................................................ 17

4.

SW-OB-XML FORMAT AND STRUCTURE ........................................................................................................ 19
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7

5.

OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................... 19
STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION OF SWOB ................................................................................................................. 20
SAMPLE SWOB ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
TAXONOMY AND URI .............................................................................................................................................. 27
QUALITY ASSESSMENT FLAG ................................................................................................................................... 30
DATA FLAG .............................................................................................................................................................. 33
MULTIPLICITY .......................................................................................................................................................... 34

DATASETS ................................................................................................................................................................ 35
5.1 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................................................... 35
5.2 DATA ELEMENT TERMINOLOGY............................................................................................................................... 35
5.2.1
Wind ............................................................................................................................................................... 35
5.2.2
Cloud Amount/Cover ..................................................................................................................................... 36
5.2.3
Precipitation and Rainfall ............................................................................................................................. 37
5.2.4
Station elevation ............................................................................................................................................ 37
5.3 LEGACY MSC & PARTNER MANNED (WINIDE/MIDS) ........................................................................................... 38
5.4 DND HWOS............................................................................................................................................................ 40
5.5 MSC & PARTNER AWOS (RA MESSAGES) .............................................................................................................. 41
5.6 DND AWOS............................................................................................................................................................ 43
5.7 NAV CANADA HWOS .............................................................................................................................................. 45
5.8 NAV CANADA AWOS .............................................................................................................................................. 47
5.9 MSC & PARTNER SURFACE WEATHER NETWORK (CAMPBELL SCI. CA MESSAGES) ................................................. 49
5.10
PANAM – MINUTELY MSC & PARTNER SURFACE WEATHER NETWORK - COMPACT ........................................ 53
5.11
OPP MOORED BUOY ........................................................................................................................................... 55
5.12
BC MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE (BC-TRAN) ............................................................. 56
5.13
BC WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT BRANCH (BC-FLNR-WMB) ............................................................................... 58
5.14
BC MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY-AIR QUALITY (BC-ENV-AQMET) ......... 58
5.15
BC MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE STRATEGY-SNOW WEATHER (BC-ENV-SNOWWX) . 60

6.

APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................................ 62
6.1
6.2
6.3

GLOSSARY ............................................................................................................................................................... 62
SHORT LABEL ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 65
UNITS OF MEASURE ................................................................................................................................................. 74

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6.4 UNIT CONVERSIONS ................................................................................................................................................. 77
6.5 STANDARD CODE TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ 79
6.5.1
buoy_type ....................................................................................................................................................... 79
6.5.2
ceiling_type .................................................................................................................................................... 81
6.5.3
data_flags ...................................................................................................................................................... 81
6.5.4
obscuring_phenomena ................................................................................................................................... 82
6.5.5
operating_agency .......................................................................................................................................... 84
6.5.6
precipitation_measurement_method .............................................................................................................. 85
6.5.7
present_weather ............................................................................................................................................. 86
6.5.8
rapid_pressure_change ............................................................................................................................... 103
6.5.9
report_type................................................................................................................................................... 104
6.5.10
sky_condition .......................................................................................................................................... 106
6.5.11
station_type ............................................................................................................................................. 108
6.5.12
tendency_characteristic .......................................................................................................................... 109
6.5.13
total_cloud_amount ................................................................................................................................ 109
6.5.14
wind_gust_squall_indicator .................................................................................................................... 111

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1. Document Information1
1.1

History

Author

Date

Thinesh Sornalingam

June 7, 2012

1.0d

Initial draft

AbdulAziz Raouf

June 8, 2012

1.1d

Added in Section 4 Datasets

Thinesh Sornalingam

June 11, 2012

1.2d

Added units of measures and conversions

Dale Boudreau

June 13, 2012

1.3d

1st overall edit of whole document

Dale Boudreau

June 19, 2012

1.4d

2nd overall edit of whole document

Dale Boudreau

June 20, 2012

1.5d

Changed max_vis to vis for RA XML sample and
mapping table

Dale Boudreau

June 21, 2012

1.6d

Minor tweaks to data set mapping tables. Dropped
vis_code and horizontal_visibility code table

Dale Boudreau

June 25, 2012

1.7d

NC-AWOS: cld_cvr_# becomes sum_cld_cvr_#,
added ‘sum’ to Appendix 6.2

Dale Boudreau

June 26, 2012

1.8d

Updated RA XML example (Sect. 4.3)

Dale Boudreau

June 28, 2012

1.9d

Changed references to External XML and E-ML to
“SW-OB-XML” or “SWOB”. Added details (table)
on incoming code source meanings in section 3.2.3.

Abdulaziz Raouf

June 29,2012

1.9d

Updated NCHWOS dataset table to include full list
of elements present section 5.5

Dale Boudreau

July 9, 2012

2.0d

Changed rpt_typ to stn_typ for NC-AWOS (code
table 002196).

Dale Boudreau

July 10, 2012

2.1d

Added clg_hgt to WinIDE and RA mapping tables.

Dale Boudreau

July 24, 2012

2.2d

Edited XML structure example. New RA sample.
Section 4.2 part D added info in “MSNG”.
Changed avg_vis_mt50-60 to just vis for NCAWOS.

Dale Boudreau

July 27, 2012

2.3d

Removed ceiling height (clg_hgt) from RA dataset

Dale Boudreau

July 30, 2012

2.4d

For NC-HWOS dataset, added prsnt_wx_# and
changed cld_amt_code to cld_amt_code_#. Also
did global search from std_code_source and
replaced with std_code_src.

Tahreem Ali

July 30, 2012

2.5d

Removed indexed temperatures for CA
(air_temp_#, min_air_temp_pst1hr_#,
max_air_temp_pst1hr_#) and duplicate row for
pcpn_amt_pst1hr

Abdulaziz Raouf

July 30, 2012

2.6d

Changed label name and description for NCAWOS
element wnd_dir_10m_mt50-60_max_spd to
wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr_max_spd

Dale Boudreau

August 9, 2012

2.7d

Added std code 88 to report_type code table (from

Ver.

Remarks

1

For more details on additions and changes to the actual SWOB-ML product, please refer to the Release Notes cited in
Section 1.3
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incoming of 126 from BUFR58 descriptor 001196).
Added icao_stn_id to WinIDE and RA.
Dale Boudreau

August 29, 2012

2.8d

Added word “snow” to descriptions of codes 83, 84
for present_weather code table.

Dale Boudreau

August 31, 2012

3.0

Final Version

Dale Boudreau

October 25, 2012

3.2

Dale Boudreau

December 21, 2012

4.0

Updated description for codes 46, 47 in table
total_cloud_amount
Multiple changes made for the DMS 2.3.12.1
release deployed on Data Depot January 15, 2013.
Changes are as follows (see Release Notes for more
detail):

Dale Boudreau

February 14, 2013

5.0

WinIDE
tot_cld_amt – changed units from 1/10 to %
tot_cld_opcty – changed units from 1/10 to %
CA
Added the following elements:
 avg_cum_pcpn_gag_wt_fltrd_55-60
 snow_dpth_#
 logr_panl_temp
 max_batry_volt_pst1hr
 min_batry_volt_pst1hr
 hdr_fwd_pwr
 hdr_refltd_pwr
 hdr_suply_volt
 hdr_oscil_drft
Multiple changes made for the DMS 2.4.0 release
deployed on Data Depot early March, 2013.
Changes are as follows (see Release Notes for more
detail):
RA
Element cld_amt_code_# wasn’t being reported
for clear sky because of a change to the
decoded code value from ‘CLR BLO 100’ to
‘CLR BLO’. The code substitution XML was
updated to accommodate this code change and
resolve this issue.
Added the following elements:
 max_air_temp_pst6hrs
 min_air_temp_pst6hrs
 max_air_temp_pst24hrs
 min_air_temp_pst24hrs
CA
Added the following elements:
 pcpn_amt_pst3hrs
 pcpn_amt_pst6hrs
 pcpn_amt_pst24hrs
 max_air_temp_pst6hrs
 min_air_temp_pst6hrs
 max_air_temp_pst24hrs

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

min_air_temp_pst24hrs

‘air_temp_#’ added User Guide table 5.7 as
well as an explanation of how it may appear
‘snw_dpth_#’ added User Guide table 5.7 as
well as an explanation of how it may appear
NC-AWOS
Added element cld_amt_code_#
Fixed label name for the following elements by
appending an ‘s’ at the end (i.e. hr to hrs):
 pcpn_amt_pst3hr
 pcpn_amt_pst6hr
 pcpn_amt_pst24hr
 max_air_temp_pst6hr
 min_air_temp_pst6hr
 max_air_temp_pst24hr
 min_air_temp_pst24hr
Changed ‘wmo_id’ to ‘wmo_synop_id’, and
changed ‘max_10m_wnd_gst_ spd_mt50-60’
to ‘max_wnd_gst_spd_10m_mt50-60
NC-HWOS
Added elements:
 cor
 pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

Dale Boudreau

February 28, 2013

5.1

Dale Boudreau

March 18, 2013

5.2

Dale Boudreau

May 7, 2013

5.3

Dale Boudreau

July 15, 2013

6.0

WinIDE
Changed ‘wmo_id’ to ‘wmo_synop_id’
Modified code descriptions for
obscuring_phenomena (table 6.5.2) codes 28 and 34
to deal with specific meanings for NC-HWOS.
DMS Release 2.4.1: Added the new element
max_vis_pst1hr to CA dataset. More modifications
to code descriptions for obscuring_phenomena
(table 6.5.2) codes 5, 15, 29, and 46 to deal with
specific meanings for NC-HWOS.
DMS Release 2.4.2: Added cld_amt_code_# to the
NC-AWOS table (Sect. 5.6)
DMS Release 2.4.2: Added NC-AWOS to
“station_type” code table (6.5.8) as code 12, and
added codes 17, 18. Removed “product_status”
code table from the appendix as it was not
referenced by any SWOB elements in any of the
networks. New codes (86-98) added to bottom of
“report_type” code table (6.5.6). Updated code
descriptions in tables 6.5.7, 6.5.8, and 6.5.10.
element additions/modifications to the various
networks:
WinIDE

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Added the following element:
 clg_hgt
NC-HWOS
Added 3 additional identification elements:
 clim_id
 msc_id
 rtp_typ
Learned that the following elements have an
incorrect label since they should be for a 24
hour period. Therefore changed the labels of
the following elements to reflect that this is a
24 hour peak wind speed, not a 1-hour peak as
the SWOB label originally indicated:
Changed
 max_pk_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr
to
max_pk_wnd_spd_10m_pst24hrs
 wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr_pk_spd
to
wnd_dir_10m_pst24hrs_pk_spd
NC-AWOS
Added the following identification element:
 rtp_typ
CA
Removed duplicated element rows from Table 5.7.
Added the following element:
 avg_wnd_spd_pcpn_gag_mt58-60
Dale Boudreau

August 13, 2014

6.1

CA
Added additional elements:
 avg_globl_solr_radn_pst1hr
 tot_globl_solr_radn_pst1hr
 avg_wnd_spd_pcpn_gag_mt50-60
 data_avail (future release)
Removed the following element:
 stn_id (last 4 digits of wmo_synop_id)
 avg_wnd_spd_pcpn_gag_mt58-60
NC-AWOS
Added element stn_elev
Removed the following elements (always missing):
 pcpn_amt_pst3hrs
 pcpn_amt_pst24hrs
GENERAL
 Removed duplicate element rows from
Table 5.7
 Added code table for
wind_gust_squall_indicator
 Changed descriptions for codes 13, 10 in
station_type code table

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Tahreem Ali /
Dale Boudreau

SW-OB-XML User Guide

March 24, 2014

7.0

Added the following new datasets:
 PanAM – MSC & Partner (CA messages)
 PanAM – MSC & Partner (Compact
messages)
 PanAM – MSC & Partner (ATMOS
messages)
Updated the following code tables:
 station_type
 report_type
 present_weather
Added the following code table:
 buoy_type
Reflected data changes:
 removed T-12 from SWOBs
 removed pcpn_amt_pst3hrs and
pcpn_amt_pst24hrs from NC-AWOS
SWOBs (not observed)
 Changed precision of Pressure elements to
1 decimal place
 Changed precision of snow depth
elements to 0 decimal places
 Changed precision of all temperature
elements to 1 decimal place
 Changed precision of relative humidity to
0 decimal places
 Changed precision of all
precipitation/rainfall elements to 1 decimal
place
Many editorial changes:
 Many minor editorial changes
 Added text to sections 2.1, 2.3, 4.4, 5.1,
5.2.1,
 Added new sections: 5.2.3, 5.2.4,
 Modified Qa flag descriptions in section
4.5
 Added new data set descriptions and
element tables (sections 5.9 – 5.22
 Added additional glossary items
 Added additional short label descriptions
 Added additional units and conversions

Dale Boudreau

September 15, 2015

7.1

Added new units to section 6.3

Tahreem Ali

August 11, 2016

7.1

Added the following new datasets:
 DND AWOS
 DND HWOS
Updated short labels for the following datasets:
 CA

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Tahreem Ali

July 27, 2018

8.0

Tahreem Ali

November 6, 2018

8.1

Tahreem Ali

February 8, 2019

8.2

February 8, 2019

Removed PanAm datasets except for CA-Compact
Updated taxonomy sections to account for new
datasets (DND)
Updated Qa section to remove the qa summary = 20
rule
Updated CA table to account for new labels
(pstXmts)
Added section on multiple sensors (Multiplicities)
Updated all section with Generic SWOB
taxonomies, output, rules
Updated Sample SWOB section with new example
Added generic swob labels to remaining datasets
(NavCan, RA, WinIDE, CA Minutely)
Update document to include new dataset: OPP
Marine Buoy
Added section on data_flag
Updated code tables: total_cloud_amount,
report_type, buoy_type
Updated units: 0.01in
Updated WinIDE dataset (Section 5.3) with new
elements: max_pk_wnd_spd_10m_pst24hrs,
wnd_dir_10m_pst24hrs_pk_spd,
max_pk_wnd_tm_pst24hrs, snw_dpth,
pcpn_amt_pst6hrs, pcpn_amt_pst24hrs,
avg_wnd_dir_10m_pst10mts,
avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst10mts
Added BC datasets:
 BC Forestry
 BC Tran
 BC SnowWx
 BC AQMet
Added code table:
precipitation_measurement_method

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1.2

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Filename & Location

Approved (public) Version:
http://dd.weatheroffice.gc.ca/observations/doc/SWOB-ML_Product_User_Guide_v8.2_e.pdf
Current Draft (internal version):
http://ecollab.ncr.int.ec.gc.ca/org/1275692/wem/MS_lib/DMS_SW-OBML_Product_User_Guide_v8.2_Public_e_Final.doc

1.3

Referenced Documents

Document

Author

Version

DMF External Met-ML Specification
http://ecollab.ncr.int.ec.gc.ca/org/1275692/wem/MS_lib/DMFExterna
lMet-MLspecification.doc
Taxonomy Documentation

Dale Boudreau,
Thinesh Sornalingam,
Abdulaziz Raouf

1.1

Ioanne Carlo Bugash

0.4.1d

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2. Introduction
2.1

Overview

The creation of a product for surface weather observations has been undertaken by the Data
Management Initiative (DMI) project to provide the Metrological Service of Canada (MSC) and
external clients with a concise, user-friendly, easy to read product containing typical hourly surface
weather data from MSC and partner atmospheric monitoring networks.
These products will be generated by applications within the Data Management System (DMS). The
DMS is collection of a real-time data acquisition, decoding, standardization, quality assessment (Qa)
and product generation components for observation, forecast, and warning data. It is to become
MSC's primary disseminator of meteorological data to internal and external clients.
There are multiple phases or processing stages within DMS that incoming raw data passes through.
Each phase has an associated XML output. In the raw phase, the incoming messages are in their
original form (e.g. ASCII, BUFR, etc.). Then they are converted into a “parsed” product (typically an
XML). In the parsed phase, the data has not yet been standardized or fully "decoded". The parsed
phase prepares the data to be decoded. The parsed phase is optional in the sense that not all data must
pass through it. In some cases, the data proceeds straight to the decode phase from the raw phase. In
the decode phase, the data is standardized (i.e. mapped to a standard classification, element definition,
and name). The data emerges as a decoded XML product following the completion of its passage
through the decode phase. The decoded XML is a standards-based format, which is then put through
any number of enhanced, quality assessment and/or product generation (PG) phases to add further
value and meet client requirements. The Surface Weather Observation XML product (SW-OB-XML)
is the result of the PG phase. The SW-OB-XML is in a basic XML format patterned after the DMS
internal Met-ML format. The SW-OB-XML will be referred to by the condensed acronym ‘SWOB’
hereafter in this document. The diagram at the end of section 2.1 captures this flow for selected
networks.
As opposed to the more comprehensive DMS decoded Met-ML products, the SWOB is a simplified
XML product that focuses on core elemental data without the clutter and complexity of auxiliary
content such as non-critical metadata, and detailed Qa results. To the extent possible, this information
has been captured in a short element label and an optional qualifier to indicate a summary of any Qa.
Although the SWOB XML is intended for machine-to machine data transmission, the format and
clarity of this self-descriptive format is easily human-readable without any specific training or
knowledge of markup languages. However, for clients needing to interact with and display data over
long intervals or comparing observations from multiple stations geospatially, the use tools such as
XML parsers, graphical displays and GIS is advisable.
There are many different streams of the SWOB product, each containing data from the following
networks (a short reference name is to the right of the arrow):
1.
2.
3.
4.

Legacy MSC & Partner Manned aviation weather stations using the WinIDE or MIDS interface  WinIDE
DND HWOS  DND HWOS
Legacy MSC & Partner AWOS aviation weather stations  RA
DND AWOS  DND AWOS

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5. Nav Canada HWOS aviation weather stations  NC-HWOS
6. Nav Canada AWOS aviation weather stations  NC-AWOS
7. MSC & Partner public surface weather stations using Campbell Scientific data loggers  CA
7.1. Minutely data sets supporting the PanAm Games:
- MSC Compact stations  COMPACT-minutely
8. OPP Moored buoy weather stations  OPP
9. BC Ministry of Transportation weather stations  BC-TRAN
10. British Columbia Wildfire Management Branch (i.e. BC Forestry) weather stations  BC-FLNR-WMB
11. BC Ministry of Envrionment Air Quality Meteorological weather stations  BC-ENV-AQMet
12. BC Ministry of Envrionment Snow weather stations  BC-ENV-SnowWx

Each dataset product can be uniquely identified via its URI (will be discussed in more detail in Section
4.4).
During the production of a SWOB, the following tasks are carried out:


Incoming DMS element packages are assigned an abbreviated label



Unit conversion from incoming units to standard units, and if necessary, rounded to a given
precision to trim insignificant digits resulting from some unit conversions.



If the incoming element is a numeric code or a text value from a list of controlled vocabulary
(so in effect a code), then code substitution is performed to map to a DMS standard code.



An optional quality assessment (Qa) summary flag (using incoming ‘native’ and DMS quality
assessments whenever available) may be attached to applicable elements.

2.2

Purpose and Scope

One of the main purposes of the SW-OB-XML is to offer a replacement for much of the content
traditionally found in the legacy SA (surface analysis) product still being used within MSC, although
officially it was to have been retired years ago. Although the SWOB will not capture all of the SA’s
content, it will include the most sought-after hourly surface weather observation elements and any
elements pertaining to longer time frames. Some of the more subtle and obscure elements contained in
the SA will be excluded from the initial offering of the SWOB. Clients requiring specific aviation,
synoptic, or marine data may be better served acquiring the METAR or SYNOP products.
Meanwhile, additional elements not present in SA will also be available in the SWOB.
As mentioned above, there are many streams of the SWOB product, each pertaining to a specific
network. Each product will be accessible via its own URI within the DMS, or possibly a file system
containing the XML files referenced using a filename (e.g. CMC’s DataDepot).
The observation elements included in the majority of SWOBs are from these basic observation groups,
although some data sets have other groups such as radiation, wave, etc:


present weather



sky condition



visibility

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

pressure



wind



temperature



humidity



precipitation

SW-OB-XML User Guide

The format of this product is XML. It will be generated operationally by MSC's Data Management
System (DMS) at CMC in Montreal. It will be produced in real-time from the incoming raw data of
each dataset. It will be encoded in a standards based XML, which conforms to global meteorological
observation conventions (discussed in detail in Section 4).
In addition to the elemental data from the groups indicated above, the SWOB may also contain
optional quality assessment (Qa) information in the form of a summary quality flag attached to each
element, whenever available. This flag's value is computed by considering any incoming Qa
performed on the element at the source (so-called “Native QC”), any Qa conducted in-house by the
DMS, or a combination of the two. The absence of a Qa summary flag on an element in the SWOB
indicates the quality is unknown.
The SWOB is a very condensed and convenient product of hourly observational data, as opposed to
the fuller and more comprehensive decoded XMLs being generated by DMS for the listed datasets.
Those clients requiring full element definitions, full quality assessments, etc., should gain access to the
DMS decoded, or decoded_enchanced, products of each dataset.

2.3

Intended Audience

Any clients interested in hourly surface weather data will find the SWOB product attractive due to its
content, simplicity and compactness. Most clients currently using the legacy SA format should also
find this product a suitable replacement given it has the majority of the elements in a clear format and
may have additional content which could never be encoded using the SA format. Clients who would
like quick and easy access to MSC data from the DMS, will also generally benefit from the SW-OBXML product, especially given that data viewing and access tools are under development in the DMS.
This version of the User Guide is intended for internal users within Environment Canada, as some
data sets described herein are not available on the publicly accessible CMC DD (DataDepot) site, but
rather only on the DDi (internal). The non-public SWOBs are either third party data sets that have as
part of their data sharing agreements restrictions on data usage or distribution, or are Beta data sets
that have not completed user acceptance testing.

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3. Data Standardization
3.1

Standardization of incoming data by the DMS

The DMS decodes and processes data from many networks. The same element may have a variety of
different names across the input data sets. For example, air temperature may be called dry-bulb
temperature, temperature, temp, ambient temperature, etc. The DMS standardizes elements names so
they may be more easily inter-compared, quality assessed, and extracted. Furthermore, the elements
may have optional qualifiers assigned to them to covey important metadata. Below is an example of
how a particular wind speed from MSC networks is elementalized by the DMS and stored in XML
format:
- 






The above “standard element package” would be applied consistently across the networks and look as
the example above for cases where the incoming element is an average wind speed over the last 2
minutes of the hour and a height of 10 metres.
To avoid conversion and rounding errors, all incoming codes and units are left as-is. Such operations
are typically reserved for product generators, datamarts or display tools, just as the data leaves the
DMS for client use.

3.2

Standardization for the SWOB

The SWOB product generator needs to ingest data from many networks to make one product where
the element names, units and code tables are consistent. To make the SWOB as concise as possible
and remove any remaining element description variations in the DMS decoded output, a “short label”
was devised to encapsulate all the critical element-defining metadata into one phrase. Furthermore, all
the various unit and code variations for identical elements across the networks were handled by
converting to DMS “standard units” and “standard codes”.

3.2.1 Element Short Labels:
Critical element-defining metadata such as data type, element name, statistical significance, time
period displacement, time period duration, height/depth, index, etc., have been used to devise a “short
label” for each DMS element package. For example, the element package shown in Section 3.1 would
have the short label of “avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst2mts”. For the element name portion of the short label,
the name as it appears in the original DMS decoded element has been abbreviated using the
abbreviation glossary in Appendix 6.2. The length of these labels has been kept to a minimum and
special characters and spaces have been avoided so that the labels may also be used as column names
in database tables and meet the most stringent of requirements.

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3.2.2 Units:
All element packages have a standard element assigned by the DMS based on the data class (e.g.
velocity, temperature, azimuth, pressure, etc.), although some variations exist for certain elements
within a class. For example, most pressure-related elements will have a DMS standard unit of hPa, but
in the case of altimeter, the standard unit is inHg since it is used by a specific client community and in
practically all cases measured and used in that unit. Examples of typical standard units for some
classes are:


precipitation amount = mm



wind speed = km/h



pressure = hPa



visibility = km



height = m



temperature = °C

The conversion to DMS standard units is only done at the last possible moment, typically when data
leaves the DMS via product generators, like the one that creates the SWOB, or during the population
of custom datamarts and display tools where client requirements need to be satisfied. The DMS
standard units will meet the majority of client needs, but inevitably some clients will have different
preferences and will need to do some conversions. To assist in this, Appendix 6.4 has a list of unit
conversions so clients can see what was used to convert incoming units to DMS standard units for a
given element, or to apply client-side conversions. The data set tables in Section 5 show the incoming
uom (unit of measure) and the standard units they were converted to. As well, the rounding precision
is given where the value represents the number of digits after the decimal (e.g. 2 would represent
0.01). A value of 0 represents integer values. The intent is to remove insignificant digits as a result of
a unit conversion. To avoid giving the appearance of extra precision that was not intended, the
following rules were applied:


In the element mappings the following convention is used to represent precision:
0 = whole number
1 = one decimal digit = 0.1

2 = two decimal digits = 0.01
3 = three decimal digit = 0.001
…


Mathematical rounding precision only applies to numerical values and for elements a precision is
indicated in the Precision column (see Section 5). For instance if the decoded value = 5.67 and the
Rounding Precision is 1, then the SWOB value = 5.7. If on the other hand the decoded value has a
lower precision than what is specified for that element in the mappings, then preserve the decoded
value as-is. For example, if a decoded value or unit conversion = 5, Precision = 1 (i.e. 0.1), then
SWOB value = 5.

The following page has some examples of rounding to a specified precision:

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Decoded Value

Rounding Precision

External Element Value

12.3

0 (to the nearest whole number)

12

23.3

2 (two decimal digits)

23.3 (decoded value precision is less than
requested precision, so preserve decoded
value as-is)

45.12346666666

6 (six decimal digits)

45.123467

23.549

1 (one decimal digit)

23.5 (given the requested precision is 1
decimal digit, one needs to look at the digit
immediately following it for rounding (4). As
a general rule: if precision = x, then always
look at x * 10-1 to carry out rounding)

17.6

0

18

3.2.3 Codes:
As with units, the incoming code values are preserved as-is after DMS decoding, with the code table
source and type (i.e. name) cited. Prior to the creation of the SWOB, incoming code tables are left in
their original form. The source of these tables can be any of the following:
Incoming
code-src

Description

Documentation Source

wmo_bufr

A WMO code table for data encoded
in BUFR format

WMO Pub. No. 306 =- Manual on Codes Part B –
Binary Codes:

Sample code-source and
code-type
wmo_bufr 020003

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WMOCodes/WM
O306_vI2/VolumeI.2.html
CMC:
ftp://depot.cmc.ec.gc.ca/ftp/cmoi/bufr/english/tabloc_b
ufr_e

local_bufr

A local Canadian code table for
MSC data encoded in BUFR format.
Defined by CMC

wmo_tac

A WMO code table for data encoded
in Traditional Alphanumeric Code
forms (TAC) such as SYNOP

WMO Pub. No. 306 =- Manual on Codes Part A –
Alphanumeric Codes

local_tac

A local code table defind by the
DMS for incoming data encoded in
Traditional Alphanumeric Code
forms (TAC)

DMS code tables and encode/decode specification
documents

local_tac 008197

Various
sources

A local code table defind by the
DMS for incoming data encoded in
ASCII formats. The code source
may be the name of the network,
product, message, etc.

DMS code tables and encode/decode specification
documents

ra present_weather

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local_bufr 020197

wmo_tac 000500

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/WMOCodes/WM
O306_vI1/VolumeI.1.html

rwin essPrecipSituation
metar visibility

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However, a “standard” code table is also associated with each of these incoming code tables for a
given element. The master list of code tables that the DMS maintains has cross referenced similar
code tables for a given entity to a DMS standard table, which is in effect a superset of all the similar
code tables for that entity. This allows for products or clients to use one standard code value for an
element to map to their preferred codes, expressions or interpretation rather than having to map too
many different tables for a given element across multiple networks. For example, present weather is
reported by many networks, but most use different code tables or even text strings (note, in the DMS
text strings that are controlled vocabulary are also treated as if they were codes).
Example 1. Present weather arriving to the DMS in different code tables for each network is mapped
to a code value in a single DMS standard code table. Below are some examples:
Network

Observation

Incoming
code-src

Incoming
code-type

Incoming
value

SWOB codesrc

SWOB codetype

Std code
value

WinIDE

Manned Observation: Light
rain (not freezing,
continuous)

local_bufr

020210

11

std_code_src

present_weather

65

NCHWOS

Manned Observation: Light
rain (not freezing,
continuous)

wmo_bufr

020019

-RA

std_code_src

present_weather

65

RA

Automated Station
Observation: Light rain

ra

present_weather

R-

std_code_src

present_weather

364

RWIN

Automated Station
Observation: Light rain

rwin

WMO4680

61

std_code_src

present_weather

364

Example 2. Cloud type and obscuring phenomena arriving to the DMS in a different code tables for
each network is mapped to a code value in a single DMS standard code table. Below are some
examples:
Network

Observation

Incoming
code-src

Incoming
code-type

Incoming
value

SWOB code-src

SWOB code-type

Std
code
value

WinIDE

Altocumulus

local_bufr

020197

0

std_code_src

obscuring_phenomena

0

NC-HWOS

Altocumulus

wmo_bufr

020012

3

std_code_src

obscuring_phenomena

0

ASCII
SYNOP
FM-12

Altocumulus

wmo_tac

000500

3

std_code_src

obscuring_phenomena

0

To see the meaning of the standard code table vales for coded SWOB elements, please refer to
Appendix 6.5. With this information clients can map the SWOB standard code values to their
preferred expression or code using a single mapping table, rather than one for each network.

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4. SW-OB-XML Format and Structure
4.1

Overview

As with all DMS decoded XML products, the SWOB conforms to global standards such as OGC's
Observation and Measurement schema and GML. Being compliant with such standards enhances the
interoperability of the format and also offers a common look and feel among similar products.
The two standards employed in the SWOB are the following:
Open Geospatial Consortium's Observations and Measurements Encoding Standard
(O&M) defines an abstract model and an XML schema encoding for observations and it
provides support for common sampling strategies. O&M also provides a general framework
for systems that deal in technical measurements in science and engineering. This is one of the
OGC Sensor Web Enablement (SWE) suite of standards.
Additional information of O&M can be obtained from here:
http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/om

Open Geospatial Consortium's Geography Markup Language Encoding Standard
(GML) The Geography Markup Language (GML) is an XML grammar for expressing
geographical features. GML serves as a modeling language for geographic systems as well as
an open interchange format for geographic transactions on the Internet. As with most XML
based grammars, there are two parts to the grammar – the schema that describes the document
and the instance document that contains the actual data.
A GML document is described using a GML Schema. This allows users and developers to
describe generic geographic data sets that contain points, lines and polygons.
Additional information of GML can be obtained from here:
http://www.opengeospatial.org/standards/gml

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4.2

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Structural Organization of SWOB







A





B


*
*















C





*


*
*


*






D

*Note: zero to many lines in this format can be present

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Section A:
This section provides metadata around the DMS component that produces this XML.
  is the component's name
  contains the full taxonomy of this dataset (discussed below in detail)
  the DMS phase at which point this XML was generated
  is the full URI (uniform resource indicator) of this instance of the XML
  is the full URI of the input file that led to the generation of this XML instance. In
the case of a product generator, which produces the SWOB, the input is either the decoded
or decoded_enchanced XML.
Section B:
This section of the SWOB contains metadata elements about the observation. For instance, one
could find the time of observation, the reporting station identifier (e.g. MSC ID, ICAO ID,
WMO Synoptic ID, etc), the station's latitude, longitude and elevation, correction level of the
observation, etc. The elements in this section are of the form , where
 name is an abbreviated label (less than 30 characters) assigned to each element
definition
 uom is the unit of measure
 value is the value of the element.
In the case when uom="code", then two additional attributes will be included, these are:
 code-src is the authoritative source of which this code table originates
 code-type is the type or name of a given code table available for a given source
The resulting element would look like this:
. Such elements contain
coded values.
There can be any number of identification elements for a given observation, depending on the
dataset.
Section C:
This section contains additional metadata about the observation.
  is the full date time of this observation encoded within a GML
element
  is the full date-time when the DMS product generator produced this
instance of the SWOB encoded within a GML element
  is the latitude and longitude of the station that reported this
observation encoded within a GML element.
Section D:
This section of the SWOB is the body of the observation, where one would expect to find the
observational elements. Fundamentally an element is a single unit of observation. For
instance, air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, wind direction, visibility, etc. are all
examples of a singular observed phenomenon, which is encoded as an element in the SWOB.
Elements in this section are of the form:
 where

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

name is an abbreviated label (less than 30 characters) assigned to each element
definition
 uom is the unit of measure
 value is the value of the element
In the case when uom="code", then two additional attributes will be included, these are:
 code-src is the authoritative source of which this code table originates
 code-type is the type or name of a given code table available for a given source
The resulting element would look like this:
. Such elements contain
coded integer or values or a text value from a list of controlled vocabulary (so in effect a code).
The incoming element that is encoded here, comes in with a native code source and type (an
example for a present weather code source and type may be: wmo_bufr, 020003, respectively).
During the production of the SWOB, a “standard code value” is substituted for the incoming
codes. The exact code substitutions used for each dataset of the SWOB product will be
discussed in Section 5 of this document.
For elements which are reported in the raw observation that have an empty or illegal value, the
value/code will be designated as MSNG to denote “missing”.
Finally, if Qa information is available for the element, then a qualifier will be tagged onto the
element to provide an over-all summary of the quality assessments. In this case, the element
will look like this:



or



See Section 4.5 for details on the creation of the Qa qualifier and the meaning of the code value
(i.e. Qa flags).

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4.3

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Sample SWOB

Here is a full sample output of a SWOB instance for the RA (MSC AWOS) dataset:































2012-07-18T14:00:00.000Z




2012-07-18T14:01:04.657Z







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46.9 71.5





















































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4.4

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Taxonomy and URI

Each dataset is classified using taxonomy. Each instance of a SWOB is uniquely identified via its
URI. One can access each dataset's SWOB instances using the assigned URI in the DMS notification
web application (permissions dependent).
Taxonomies are of the form:
/organization/category/type/network/dataset-version-format/phase-format-version/(*)

Please refer to the Taxonomy Documentation referenced in Section 1.3 for more information about the
taxonomy structure and meaning of the various tokens.
The chart below indicates the taxonomy for each dataset:
Incoming Dataset

SWOB Taxonomy

Legacy MSC & Partner Manned
aviation weather stations using the
WinIDE or MIDS interface (BUFR
messages under header ‘ISAx41’)

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/winide_fm12-1.0xml/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/ra-1.1Legacy MSC & Partner AWOS
aviation weather stations (‘RA’ ASCII ascii/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0
messages)

DND AWOS (BUFR messages under
header ‘ISAx64’)

/dnd/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/awos-1.0binary/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

Nav Canada AWOS aviation weather
stations (BUFR messages under
header ‘ISAx61’)

/nav_canada/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/awos-2.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

DND HWOS (BUFR messages under
header ‘ISAx67’)

/dnd/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/hwos-1.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

Nav Canada HWOS aviation weather
stations (BUFR messages under
header ‘ISAx62’)

/nav_canada/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/hwos-1.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

MSC & Partner public surface
weather network stations using
Campbell Scientific data loggers
(‘CA’ ASCII messages)

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/ca-1.1ascii/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

MSC weather stations using Campbell
Scientific data loggers transmitting
minutely in support of the 2015 PanAm
Games (‘COMPACT-minutely’ CA
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/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/ca-1.2ascii/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

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ASCII messages sent to the DMS)
OPP Moored Buoy weather network
stations (‘OPP’)

/msc/observation/atmospheric/marine/moored_buoy-1.2ascii/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

BC Ministry of Transportation (‘BCTRAN’)

/partners/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/bc_tran-1.0csv/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

British Columbia Ministry of Forests,
Lands and Natural Resources; Wildfire
Management Branch (‘BC-FLNRWMB’)

/partners/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/bc_forestry1.1-ascii/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

BC Ministry of Envrionment Air Quality
Meteorological weather network stations
(‘BC-ENV-AQMet’)

/partners/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/bc_env_aqmet
-1.0-csv/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

BC Ministry of Envrionment Snow
weather network stations (‘BC-ENVSnowWx’)

/partners/observation/atmospheric/surface_weather/bc_env_snow
wx-1.0-ascii/product_generic_swob-xml-2.0

To each of the taxonomies listed above, the following parameters may be appended:
/////


 is the full date-time string when the observation was reported by the station in the
format YYYYMMDDHHMM



 is the official MSC station identifier (for MSC stations this is the climate identifier
used by the National Climate Archive to guarantee uniqueness). For Partner networks, the
MSC identifier may be a copy of the secondary identifier unless a Climate identifier can be
assigned.



 is an additional station identifier attached to the URI. It varies
depending on the dataset and is typically the identifier most commonly used by a particular
network’s operators. For example:
o NC-AWOS, DND-AWOS: ICAO station identifier
o NC-HWOS, DND-HWOS: ICAO station identifier
o CA: TC identifier
o RA: TC identifier
o WinIDE: TC identifier



 is the correction/revision level of the observation. If the observation is the
original message “orig” will be used. If there are corrections or revisions, an indicator will be
used (e.g. CCA, CCB, CCC, etc.).



 is used for networks that issue multiple observations for a given time with
different data content. The frequency of a particular observation is also indicated (in minutes).
The value of this parameter is in the format content_frequency, where the content types are

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data, diag (diagnostic data) and supp (supplementary program data), and the message
frequency is in minutes (e.g. data_60 would be an observation containing hourly data intended
for official products; supp_1 would be an observation from a supplementary program such as
solar radiation transmitted every minute).

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The chart below indicates the URI for selected dataset examples:
Dataset

URI

Example

MSC & Partner Manned
(WinIDE/MIDS ISAx41 BUFR)

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_
weather/winide_fm12-1.0xml/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/////

data/msc/observation/atmospheric/surf
ace_weather/winide_fm12-1.0xml/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/201808081600/7060400/cybg/orig/
data_60

MSC & Partner AWOS
(RA messages)

msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_w
eather/ra-1.1ascii/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/////

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_
weather/ra-1.1ascii/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/201808080000/8101794/ycx/orig/d
ata_60

Nav Canada HWOS
(ISAx62 BUFR)

/nav_canada/observation/atmospheric/su
rface_weather/hwos-1.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/////

/nav_canada/observation/atmospheric/s
urface_weather/hwos-1.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/201808081600/7047911/cyzv/orig/
data_60

Nav Canada AWOS
(ISAx61 BUFR)

/nav_canada/observation/atmospheric/su
rface_weather/awos-2.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/////

/data/nav_canada/observation/atmosph
eric/surface_weather/awos-2.1binary/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/201808081600/2402360/cwgz/orig
/data_60

MSC & Partner surface
weather network
(Campbell Sci. CA
messages

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_
weather/ca-1.1ascii/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/////

/msc/observation/atmospheric/surface_
weather/ca-1.1ascii/product_generic_swob-xml2.0/201808071600/3012192/pea/orig/d
ata_60

4.5

Quality Assessment Flag

The SWOB will contain a quality assessment (Qa) summary flag as a qualifier attached to an element
whenever possible. In the SWOB it will appear as such:



or
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The possibility of this flag being attached to an element is dependent on the following scenarios:
1. There will be no qa_summary flag if there are no incoming “Native QC” flags on the element
and there was no in-house DMS quality assessment done on the element.
2. There will be no qa_summary flag if the incoming “Native QC” attached to the element has no
flags raised and there is no in-house DMS quality assessment done on the element
3. A qa_summary flag will be generated and attached to the element, if it arrived from the source
with one or more Native QC flags indicating a problem and/or if a quality assessment was
carried out by DMS on the element.
In scenario 2, an algorithm will be used to arrive at a single qa_summary value considering the
availability of both the native and DMS quality assessments on the element.
Below is the algorithm used to generate the value for the qa_summary qualifier:
Prior to executing the algorithm, all incoming Native QC values are converted to DMS standard Qa
flag values (so that they can be easily compared to the DMS Qa flag value) using the following
scheme:
-10 = Suppressed
-1 = Missing
0 = Error
10 = Doubtful
15 = Suspect/Warning
20 = Inconsistent
100 = Acceptable/Passed

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Qa Flag Definitions:
Suppressed – the data provider has indicated that the data value is not to be used or published due to
instrumentation or environmental issues which have compromised the data.
Missing – the “value” of an element is null, blank/space, “MSNG” (from the decoder), a code representing
missing, or could not be derived.
Error – The value is physically impossible, beyond the capability of the sensor to detect, or identified as
incorrect.
Doubtful – The value is physically possible but is statistically improbable: at or exceeding expected extreme
values.
Suspect/Warning – the data provider has indicated that the data may be unreliable or is outside of nominal
limits.
Inconsistent – The value is inconsistent when it departs significantly from an expected physical relationship
with an independently measured, associated variable. It is not possible to determine if either the value or the
associated variable is in error.
Acceptable/Passed – The value passed all applicable quality assessment test(s) or has been verified as
acceptable.

The final qa_summary flag values are generated as follows:


The final qa_summary flag in the SWOB is the lowest value between the converted Native QC
flag (if exists) and the real-time DMS Qa flag:
e.g.
if Native QC flag variable = 0 and DMS Qa flag=10, then SWOB qa_summary = 0
if Native QC flag variable = -10 and DMS Qa flag=0, then SWOB qa_summary = -10
if Native QC flag variable = 10 and DMS Qa flag=100, then SWOB qa_summary = 10
if Native QC flag variable = 100 and DMS Qa flag=100, then SWOB qa_summary = 100
if Native QC flag variable = 100 and DMS Qa flag = 0, then SWOB qa_summary = 0
if Native QC flag variable = -10 and DMS Qa flag = 0, then SWOB qa_summary = -10
if Native QC flag variable = 15 and DMS Qa flag = 10, then SWOB qa_summary = 10
if Native QC flag variable = 100 and DMS Qa was not performed, then no qa_summary in SWOB
if no incoming Native QC flags and DMS Qa was not performed, then no qa_summary in SWOB



If an element does not have a qa_summary qualifier, it means that there was no direct quality
assessment performed on it within the DMS, and that if Native QC was present, no flags were
raised. Note however, that although derived elements may not have a Qa flag, it is likely that
some or all of the input elements had Native QC and/or DMS Qa and these flags were
considered when determining whether or not to derive the element.

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4.6

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Data Flag

A new feature of the SWOB is a qualifier that may be present on some elements, if applicable.
Currently most observed elements have a qa_summary qualifier on them to indicate the quality
status via a code table. A new “data_flag” qualifier will operate the same way by providing
additional metadata on some elements to convey the following information, if it applies:
Code Value

Text Value

1

derived

2

estimate

3

adjusted

4

incomplete

5
6

trace
multiple

7

interpolated

Description
Value has been reformulated or mathematically derived with complete
inputs
Reported value received as an estimate
Reported value the result of an adjustment (e.g. precipitation under
catch, wind speed extrapolated to 10m, etc.)
Value has been reformulated or mathematically derived with incomplete
inputs - element derivation contains at least one missing value
Trace. Value is zero
More than one occurrence
Value has been derived with incomplete inputs - Missing inputs
interpolated within completeness constraints

For hourly datasets and the associated SWOBs, the most common data_flag used will be code 1
(derived) and in some cases code 5 (trace). The majority of the other flags are rarely assigned or are
typically only applicable for post-processing by other downstream product generators (e.g. derived
Dailies).
Like the qa_sunmary, the data_flag qualifier is a child of the parent element and is optional. Below
is an example of how it will appear in the SWOB for a derived element:




To associate the code to the proper code table (see Appendix), the code source (code-src =
std_code_src) and code type (code-type = data_flags) are identified. For hourly data, if a data_flag
qualifier is specified for an element, there will almost always be a single value. In the rare event
there are two data flags on an element they will appear as a comma-separated list for the value. For
example, below is a case where a derived (1) element has a trace (5) value:




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Multiplicity

Some elements within the DMS are repeated due to more than one instance of occurrence or more than
one observation being made. For these elements, the element name is followed by “_#”. For example,
air temperature in the CA dataset can be observed up to three times if three sensors are available. In
this case, three air temperature measurements are sent to the DMS which are used to achieve an
“official” air temperature. A SWOB output would show the official as well as the three sensor values.
For example:







Some other elements that can have more than one sensor include:


Wind – 2 sensors



Snow – 3 sensors



Precipitation gauge weight – up to 3 sensors

Furthermore, cloud elements in the NC AWOS/NC HWOS dataset can have multiple instances being
reported, one for each cloud layer. A SWOB output for this would look like the following:













Elements with more than one instance of occurence include:


Cloud elements (height, type, cover, amount) – up to 6 instances



Present weather – up to 8 instances



Recent weather – up to 3 instances

In the following sections, datasets that can contain multiplicities will have an additional column of
“Maximum Multiplicity” identifying the maximum number of times that element can be repeated.

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5. Datasets
5.1

Overview

This section will outline where the incoming data comes from, how it is mapped to short labels, the
description of the elements, and which elements have gone through unit conversion. The sections are
broken down by dataset:
1. Legacy MSC & Partner Manned aviation weather stations using the WinIDE or MIDS
interface
2. DND HWOS aviation weather stations
3. Legacy MSC & Partner AWOS aviation weather stations
4. DND AWOS aviation weather stations
5. Nav Canada HWOS aviation weather stations
6. Nav Canada AWOS aviation weather stations
7. MSC & Partner public surface weather network stations using Campbell Scientific data loggers
which transmit official hourly observations

MSC & Partner networks that supported the 2015 PanAm Games:
8. Minutely MSC & Partner surface weather network – COMPACT
9. OPP marine weather stations
10. BC Tran weather stations
11. BC Forestry weather stations
12. BC Environment AQ Met weather stations
13. BC Environment Snow Wx weather stations
The tables in the sub-sections below provide a superset of the weather elements that could potentially
be in a given SWOB. They describe the meaning of the short label and identify the incoming units
and codes. As well, the standard units and code tables required for the SWOB are indicated, along
with the precision values are rounded to in the event of a unit conversion. The value in the Precision
column represents the number of digits after the decimal (e.g. 2 would represent 0.01). A value of 0
represents integer values. Descriptions of the unit of measure’s (uom) expression and meaning can be
found in Appendix 6.3, while Appendix 6.4 provides unit conversions. Descriptions of the meaning of
codes in the standard code tables can be found in Appendix 6.5.

5.2
5.2.1

Data Element Terminology
Wind

The various types of wind measurements can cause confusion given the large number of variations. In
particular, the use of the terms ‘wind gust speed’, ‘maximum wind speed’, and ‘peak wind speed’

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need to be defined as these terms are sometimes used interchangeably yet the data are processed quite
differently.





Maximum Wind Speed (e.g. max_wnd_spd_10m_pst10mts): This is the highest instantaneous
wind speed no matter what the value (e.g. could be 0) over the interval indicated (e.g. could be
over the past hour, or minutes 50 to 60 as in this example);
Maximum Wind Gust Speed (or just wind gust; e.g. max_wnd_gst_spd_10m_pst10mts): This
element is derived from the 10 minute maximum wind speed element described above. The
rules follow the ManObs definition and it is only reportable if the max wind speed over the last
10 minutes of the hour is ≥15 knots AND the max speed exceeds the 2-minute mean wind
speed by ≥5 knots (note the 10-minute mean is used for climate stations such as the CA data
set).
Peak Wind Speed (e.g. max_pk_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr): This element is derived from the
maximum wind speed over the past hour. The rules follow the ManObs definition and it is
only reportable if the max wind speed over the past hour is ≥17 knots. Depending on the
network, the time of the peak and the wind direction at the time of the peak may also be
reported. The peak direction element would be wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr_pk_spd.

Given how critical the height of the anemometer is to the measurement and use of wind speed data, the
height of the instrument is typically included in the SWOB short label (e.g.
avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst10mts). For the operational MSC surface weather networks, as well as partner
data (e.g. Nav Canada, DND), the standardized anemometer heights are generally 10 m as per WMO
and ICAO guidelines. However, in the case of the MSC “Compact” stations supporting the 2015
PanAm Games Mesonet, the height of the anemometer can vary from station-to-station. The nominal
height of the anemometer for a Compact station situated on the ground is approximately 2.5 m above
the pedestal base, however, some stations are located on rooftops or other structures, so the wind speed
height can vary significantly. To keep the SWOB short label consistent for wind elements across all
the networks the label was not modified on a station-to-station basis to account for anemometer
heights that depart from the standard. Clients needing information specific to the Compact stations
will need to access the station information metadata maintained by the Data Management System.
5.2.2

Cloud Amount/Cover

Sky condition, in terms of cloud amount and cloud cover, is complicated by the fact it’s handled
differently across the networks that observe it. Human observations are capable of reporting a total
cloud amount because the human can assess the whole celestial dome, whereas the instrumentation
currently deployed at automatic stations cannot. As for cloud amount/cover reported for individual
cloud layers, the observation from a manual station is non-cumulative and pertains to each layer, while
the measurement from an automatic station is a summation so each layer incorporates the amount of
the layer below. Finally, there are variations in the way cloud amount (also known as cloud cover) is
reported across the networks. Some networks send codes that represent the sky condition as strings
such as SCT (scattered), BKN (broken), OVC (overcast), etc. Other networks observe in eighths
(octas) or tenths. For this reason is may be difficult to translate the standard code from all networks to
a single scheme without compromises being made.

Sky Coverage

Legacy MSC AWOS

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String based on
cloud layer opacity
or
coverage/amount

Sky Coverage derived from
summation cloud cover
(amount) as estimated by a
ceilometer

Sky Coverage
derived from
observing cloud
layer opacity in
tenths

Sky Coverage derived
from summation cloud
amount as estimated
by a ceilometer.

Sky Coverage
derived from
cloud layer
amounts in
Octas

Sky Coverage derived from the
various observing systems
based on observing Cloud
layer amounts in Octas (NCAWOS, NC-HWOS) or mapped
from tenths (WinIDE)

CLR/SKC (clearno cloud or
obscuring
phenomena)

0% (results in the code of
‘CLR BLO 100’ meaning
clear below 10,000 ft)

0/10th (CLR)

0/8th (SKC)

0/8th (SKC)

0/8th (SKC)

FEW

n/a

1/10 – 3/10th

1/8 – 2/8th

1/8 – 2/8th

1/8 – 2/8th

SCT (scattered)

 49%

4/10 – 5/10

3/8 – 4/8

th

3/8 – 4/8

3/8 – 4/8th

BKN (broken)

50 – 89%

6/10 – 9/10th

5/8 – 7/8th

5/8 – 7/8th

5/8 – 7/8th

OVC (overcast)

 90%

10/10th

8/8th

8/8th

8/8th

-X (partially
obscured by
surface-based
layer)

< 90% (80% in multiparameter)
Note: will not come out on
any METAR because you
can see through it

1/10 – <10/10
surface-based
layer

n/a

n/a

n/a

X (totally obscured
by surface based
layer)

 90%, otherwise 100%

10/10th surfacebased layer

n/a

n/a

n/a

th

th

th

th

5.2.3 Precipitation and Rainfall
Within the DMS there is a clear distinction between “precipitation”, which implies a measurement of
all forms of liquid and frozen precipitation, and “rainfall”, which is just the liquid state. The
designation of a measurement as either precipitation or rainfall is determined by the instrument is use.
For MSC data, official precipitation elements will come from an all-weather sensor capable of
operating year round. Examples of such instrumentation are weighing-type gauges (e.g. GEONOR
and PLUVIO), Piezo electric strike plates, and Doppler sensors. For rainfall and rate of rainfall
measurements, the most commonly used sensor is a tipping bucket rain gauge (TBRG) like the TB3
used by the MSC. For MSC data, an exception to the precipitation rule is granted when a station only
has a TBRG. In such cases the rainfall measurement may be used in derived precipitation elements as
long as certain criteria are met (e.g. dew point temperature is > +1°C, or the air temp is > 4.5°C).
For third party, where we have less detail on instrumentation, it may not be possible to distinguish
between precipitation and rainfall or validate that what they call “precipitation” is indeed from an allweather instrument. Also for the case of the Nav Canada and some stations in other third party
datasets (e.g. GRCA, TRCA) we know that a heated TBRG may be employed to report precipitation,
which can compromise the accuracy of measuring both liquid and frozen precipitation.
5.2.4

Station elevation

Station elevation is a critical parameter used for the computation of mean sea level pressure (MSLP).
For networks that have the barometer relatively close to the ground, an initial station pressure
correction may not be done for the difference in height between the level of the barometer and the
ground surface (where the elevation is normally referenced) before the final reduction to sea level for
the computation of MSLP. The automated Public Surface Weather network (i.e. Campbell stations
issuing CA messages) and legacy AWOS sites (RA messages) are examples of such networks. For
these networks the station elevation is actually referenced from the height of the barometer to

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compensate for not doing a pressure correction down to ground surface. At these stations the
barometer is approximately 1.5 m to 2.5 m above the ground surface.
Station elevation is a critical parameter used for the computation of mean sea level pressure (MSLP).
For networks that have the barometer relatively close to the ground, an initial station pressure
correction may not be done for the difference in height between the level of the barometer and the
ground surface (where the elevation is normally referenced) before the final reduction to sea level for
the computation of MSLP. The automated Public Surface Weather network (i.e. Campbell stations
issuing CA messages) and legacy AWOS sites (RA messages) are examples of such networks. For
these networks the station elevation is actually referenced from the height of the barometer to
compensate for not doing a pressure correction down to ground surface. At these stations the
barometer is approximately 1.5 m to 2.5 m above the ground surface.

5.3

Legacy MSC & Partner Manned (WinIDE/MIDS)

The WinIDE and MIDS legacy applications are interfaces that DND and Nav Canada weather
observers use to enter their weather observations. The observing program is in support of aviation and
most stations are located at airports. Observers are expected to input observed conditions in
accordance with the Manual of Surface Observations (MANOBS). The output is a BUFR (Binary
Universal Form of Representation) message, which is not human readable. These stations are in the
process of being converted to NC-HWOS stations. All the incoming elements, units and values that
come from within the actual BUFR are mapped to their desired elements, units, values and qualifiers
by the DMS and stored in XML format. These elements are then mapped to the short labels shown in
the table below.

Label Name

Description

Standard
Units

tc_id

TC identifier

unitless

longitude

long

latitude

lat

station height

stn_elev

station type

stn_typ

report type

rpt_typ

6
6

m

3

code

std_code_src

station_type

code

std_code_src

report_type

unitless

date_tm

date and time

datetime

wmo_synop_id

WMO synoptic identifier

unitless

icao_stn_id

ICAO station identifier

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

cor

correction
total cloud opacity

unitless

tot_cld_amt
cld_bas_hgt_#
cld_amt_code_#
Previously:
cld_cvr_#

cloud height for individual
layers indexed by layer
cloud cover/amount (noncumulative) indexed by
layer

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Precision

°

climate identifier

total cloud amount

Standard Code
Type

°

clim_id

tot_cld_opcty

Standard
Code Source

%

0

%

0

m

0

code

std_code_src

total_cloud_amo
unt
Previously:

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(_#)

8

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sky_condition

cld_typ_#
cld_opcty_#
clg_typ
clg_hgt

cloud type obscuring
phenomena indexed by
layer
cloud opacity indexed by
layer
ceiling type
ceiling height
horizontal visibility

vis
prsnt_wx_#
stn_pres

present weather indexed
station pressure
mean sea level pressure

mslp
air_temp
dwpt_temp
avg_wnd_dir_10m_mt
58-60
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m_ps
t2mts
avg_wnd_spd_10m_p
st2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10m_
mt58-60
wnd_gst_char_10m_p
st10mts
Previously:
wnd_gst_char_10m_
mt50-60
max_wnd_gst_spd_1
0m_pst10mts
Previously:
max_wnd_gst_spd_1
0m_mt50-60
altmetr_setng
pres_tend_char_pst3
hrs
pres_tend_amt_pst3h
rs
rel_hum
rmk
pcpn_amt_pst6hrs
pcpn_amt_pst24hrs
snw_dpth
avg_wnd_spd_10m_p
st10mts
snwfl_amt_pst24hrs
avg_wnd_dir_10m_ps
t10mts
max_pk_wnd_spd_10
m_pst24hrs
wnd_dir_10m_pst24hr
s_pk_spd
max_pk_wnd_tm_pst
24hrs

air temperature
dew point temperature

code

std_code_src

obscuring_phen
omena

std_code_src

ceiling_type

%

8
0

code
m

0

km
code

8

3
std_code_src

present_weather

8

hPa

1

hPa

1

°C

1

°C

1

°

0

km/h

1

past 2-min vectoral
average 10m wind
direction

past 2-min average 10m
wind speed

past 10-min wind gust
character

code

std_code_src

wind_gust_squal
l_indicator

past 10-min maximum
10m wind gust speed

altimeter setting
past 3-hour trend
pressure tendency
characteristic
past 3-hour differential
pressure change amt
relative humidity
remark
past 6-hour precipitation
amount
past 24-hour precipitation
amount
snow depth
past 10-min average 10m
wind speed
past 24h snowfall amount
past 10-min vectoral
average 10m wind
direction
past 24-hour peak wind
speed
past 24-hour peak wind
direction
past 24-hour peak wind
time

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km/h

1

inHg

2

code

std_code_src

tendency_chara
cteristic

hPa

1

%
unitless

0

mm

1

mm
cm

1
0

km/h
cm

1
0

°

0

km/h

1

°

0

datetime

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DND HWOS

DND HWOS is the name given to the DND staffed observations that are sent to MSC using a BUFR
(Binary Universal Form of Representation) message. The BUFR message contains multiple fields that
are not observed or reported by DND, and thus are either not included in the SWOB output or will
always have a value of MSNG. The observers are expected to observe and input weather conditions in
accordance with the Manual of Surface Observations (MANOBS). Observations are scheduled to be
reported on an hourly basis at the top of the hour, along with ‘Special’ reports when warranted.
Standard
Code
Source

Label Name

Description

wmo_synop_id

WMO Identifier

unitless

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

data attribution notice

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

date_tm

official report date and time

datetime

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

icao_stn_id
clim_id

ICAO station identifier
climate identifier

unitless
unitless

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

report type
rpt_typ

Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

Standard
Units

code

std_code_sr
c

report_type

std_code_sr
c

station_type

Precision

stn_typ

station type

code

cor

correction level

unitless

stn_pres

station pressure

hPa

1

mslp
pres_tend_amt_p
st3hrs

hPa

1

hPa

1

pres_tend_char_p
st3hrs

Mean sea level pressure
past 3-hour differential
pressure tendency amount
past 3-hour trend of
pressure tendency
characteristic

altmetr_setng

altimeter settings

inHg

2

air_temp

air temperature

°C

1

dwpt_temp

dew point temperature

°C

1

rel_hum

%

0

vis

relative humidity
prevailing horizontal
visibility

km

3

vert_vis

vertical visibility (in meters)

m

prsnt_wx_#

present weather

recnt_wx_#

cld_amt_code_#

recent weather
non-cumulative cloud
amount coded (oktas)
indexed by layer

cld_bas_hgt_#

cloud base height

m

cld_typ_#
avg_wnd_dir_10
m_pst2mts
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst2mts

cloud type
past 2-minute average 10m
wind direction
past 2-minute average 10m
wind speed

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code

std_code_sr
c

tendency_char
acteristic

3

code

std_code_sr
c
std_code_sr
c

present_weath
er
present_weath
er

code

std_code_sr
c

total_cloud_a
mount

std_code_sr
c

obscuring_phe
nomena

code

5
3

5
0

code

5

°

0

km/h

1

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max_wnd_gst_sp
d_10m_pst10mts

past 10-minute max 10 m
wind gust speed

km/h

rmk

remark

unitless

1

Typically observed elements that are not reported by this dataset:
Label Name
max_air_temp_pst
1hr

Description
past 1-hour maximum air
temperature

min_air_temp_pst1
hr
max_air_temp_pst
6hrs
min_air_temp_pst6
hrs
max_air_temp_pst
24hrs
min_air_temp_pst2
4hrs

past 1-hour minimum air
temperature
past 6-hour maximum air
temperature
past 6-hour minimum air
temperature
past 24-hour maximum air
temperature
past 24-hour minimum air
temperature
maximum horizontal
visibility
minimum horizontal
visibility

max_vis
min_vis

Standard
Units

Standard
Code
Source

Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

Precision

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

km

3

km

3

%

0

°

0

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

mm

1

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst24hr
s

total cloud amount
past 10-minute average
10m wind direction
past 10-minute average
10m wind speed
wind direction associated
with the past 24-hour peak
wind speed at 10 m
past 24-hour maximum
peak 2-minute mean 10m
wind speed
rainfall since last synoptic
hour (TBRG)
past 6-hour accumulated
precipitation gauge
amount
past 24-hour accumulated
precipitation gauge
amount

mm

1

snw_dpth

snow depth

cm

0

tot_cld_amt
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts
avg_wnd_spd_10m
_pst10mts
wnd_dir_10m_pst2
4hrs_pk_spd
max_pk_wnd_spd_
10m_pst24hrs
rnfl_snc_last_syno
_hr

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

5.5

MSC & Partner AWOS (RA messages)

RA is the bulletin header for MSC AWOS aviation weather observation reports. AWOS stations are
connected via modem and voice-grade circuits to a regional host computer. These AWOS stations
respond to a poll from the host and transmit their data. In response to a poll, AWOS transmits its most
recent observation. These outputs are the assessment of weather conditions at a particular place and
particular time. They are transmitted hourly, or whenever there is significant weather change, in
which case a “Special” report (SP) is issued.
Sample Incoming Message:
RACN00 CWAO 040100
ZVV SA 031100 AUTO 41SCT/9.+/P-/M/-24.2/-28.2/29307G18/004//2/9+ 9+/9897/249-241/29007G030340365/Z/1245-0/

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*
CL03/VC04/PB07/TC08/WC09/RE18/
*
3*83018701/4*8301/7*8301/9*9301/18*7101/
E83-03 E87-03/E83-04/E83-07/E93-09/E71-18/=

All the incoming elements, units and values that come from within the actual RA are mapped to their
desired elements, units, values and qualifiers by the DMS and stored in XML format. These elements
are then mapped to the short labels shown in the table below.

Standard
Code
Source

Standard
Code Type

std_code_sr
c

report_type

std_code_sr
c

station_type

Description

Standard
Units

tc_id

TC identifier

unitless

rpt_typ

report type

date_tm

actual observation datetime

datetime

wmo_synop_id

WMO synop identifier

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

icao_stn_id

ICAO station identifier

unitless

clim_id

climate identifier

unitless

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

stn_typ

station type

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation
ceiling type indexed by
layer
cumulative cloud amount
coded indexed by layer
cloud height indexed by
layer
summation cloud cover
indexed by layer

m

Label Name

clg_typ_#
cld_amt_code_#
cld_bas_hgt_#
sum_cld_cvr_#
min_vis_pst10mts
Previously:
min_vis_mt50-60
max_vis_pst10mts
Previously:
max_vis_mt50-60

past 10-min minimum
horizontal visibility
past 10-min maximum
horizontal visibility

code

code

Precision

3

code
code

std_code_sr
c
std_code_sr
c

ceiling_type
total_cloud_a
mount

1
6

m

0

6

%

0

6

km

3

km

3

vis

horizontal visibility

prsnt_wx

present weather

air_temp

air temperature

°C

1

dwpt_temp

dew point temperature

°C

1

min_air_temp_pst
1hr
max_air_temp_pst
1hr
max_air_temp_pst
6hrs
min_air_temp_pst
6hrs

past 1-hour min air
temperature
past 1-hour max air
temperature
past 6 hours maximum air
temperature
past 6 hours minimum air
temperature

°C

1

°C

1

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Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

km

3

code

std_code_sr
c

present_weath
er

1

°C

1

°C

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max_air_temp_pst
24hrs
min_air_temp_pst
24hrs
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt58-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_ pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt58-60
max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_pst10mts
Previously:
max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_mt50-60
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt50-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt50-60
wnd_dir_10m_pst1
hr_pk_spd
max_pk_wnd_spd
_10m_pst1hr

past 24 hours maximum
air temperature
past 24 hours minimum air
temperature
past 2-min vectoral
average 10m wind
direction

pcpn_gag_wt_fltrd

gauge weight filtered

pcpn_amt_pst1hr

past 1-hour precipitation
amount

altmetr_setng

altimeter setting

stn_pres
mslp

SW-OB-XML User Guide

1

°C

1

°C

0
°

past 2-min average 10m
wind speed

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

kg/m²

1

mm

1

inHg

2

station pressure

hPa

1

mean sea level pressure
past 3-hour trend pressure
tendency characteristic
past 3-hour differential
pressure tendency amount
past 1-hour differential
pressure tendency amount

hPa

pres_tend_char_p
st3hrs
pres_tend_amt_ps
t3hrs
pres_tend_amt_ps
t1hr
rel_hum

derived relative humidity

pcpn_amt_pst3hrs

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs
pcpn_amt_pst24hr
s
pcpn_snc_last_sy
no_hr

5.6

past 10-min max 10m
wind gust speed

past 10-min vectoral
average 10m wind
direction

past 10-min average 10m
wind speed
past 1-hour peak 10m
wind speed direction
past 1-hour peak 10m
wind speed

derived past 3-hour
accumulated precipitation
amount
derived past 6-hour
accumulated precipitation
amount
derived past 24-hour
accumulated precipitation
amount
precipitation since last
synoptic hour

1

code

std_code_sr
c

tendency_char
acteristic

hPa

1

hPa

1

%

0

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

DND AWOS

The DND AWOS is a new generation Automatic Weather Observing System maintained and managed
by the Department of National Defence (DND). These AWOS stations are a direct replacement of
legacy MSC AWOS stations throughout the country, and are deployed in support of DND operations.
February 8, 2019

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DMF Team

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Raw observations are collected by DND for processing before sending to MSC using a BUFR (Binary
Universal Form of Representation) message. The BUFR message contains multiple fields that are not
observed or reported by DND, and thus are either not included in the SWOB output or will always
have a value of MSNG. The observations are scheduled to be taken hourly at top of the hour, and
whenever there is significant weather change, in which case a ‘Special’ report is issued.
Standard
Code
Source

Label Name

Description

clim_id

climate identifier

unitless

msc_id

msc identifier

unitless

wmo_synop_id

WMO synoptic identifier

unitless

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

data attribution notice

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

stn_typ

station type

code

rpt_typ

report type

code

date_tm

date

datetime

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

icao_stn_id

icao station identifier

unitless

stn_pres

station pressure

hPa

1

mslp
pres_tend_amt_pst
3hrs
pres_tend_char_ps
t3hrs

mean sea level pressure
past 3-hour differential
tendency amount
past 3-hour trend pressure
tendency characteristic

hPa

1

altmetr_setng

altimeter setting

inHg

2

air_temp

air temperature

°C

dwpt_temp

dew point temperature

°C

1
1

rel_hum
max_air_temp_pst
24hrs
min_air_temp_pst2
4hrs

relative humidity
past 24-hour maximum air
temperature
past 24-hour minimum air
temperature

%

avg_vis_pst10mts

past 10-min average
horizontal visibility

km

3

max_vis_pst10mts

past 10-min maximum
horizontal visibility

km

3

min_vis_pst10mts

past 10-min minimum
2.83m horizontal visibility

km

3

m

0

cld_bas_hgt_#

cld_amt_code_#

cloud height
Cumulative cloud amount
coded (oktas) indexed by
layer

cld_lyr_amt_rptg_
mtd
vert_vis

std_code_sr
c
std_code_sr
c

Precision

station_type
report_type

hPa

1

code

std_code_sr
c

tendency_char
acteristic

0
1

°C
1
°C

code

std_code_sr
c

cloud layer amount
reporting method

code

std_code_sr
c

vertical visibility

m

February 8, 2019

Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

Standard
Units

total_cloud_a
mount
cloud_amount
_reporting_me
thod

6

6

3

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DMF Team

prsnt_wx_#
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts
avg_wnd_spd_10m
_pst10mts
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst2mts
avg_wnd_spd_10m
_pst2mts

present weather indexed
past 10-min average 10m
wind direction
past 10-min average 10m
wind speed
past 2-min average 10m
wind direction
past 2-min average 10m
wind speed

max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_pst10mts

past 10-min maximum
10m wind gust speed

max_pk_wnd_spd_
10m_pst1hr
wnd_dir_10m_pst1
hr_pk_spd
wnd_dir_10m_pst1
hr_max_spd
max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr

past 1-hour instantaneous
10m peak wind speed
past 1-hour instantaneous
10m peak wind direction
past 1-hour maximum 10m
wind speed direction
past 1-hour maximum 10m
wind speed

SW-OB-XML User Guide

code

std_code_sr
c

present_weath
er

8

°

0

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

°

0

km/h

1

Typically observed elements that are not reported by this dataset:
Label Name

Standard
Units

Standard
Code
Source

Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

Description
past 1-hour accumulated
precipitation gauge
amount
past 6-hour accumulated
precipitation gauge
amount

vpr_pres

vapour pressure

hPa

1

wetblb_temp

wet bulb temperature

°C

1

max_air_temp_pst1
hr
min_air_temp_pst1h
r
max_air_temp_pst6
hrs
min_air_temp_pst6h
rs

past 1-hour maximum air
temperature
past 1-hour minimum air
temperature
past 6-hour maximum air
temperature
past 6-hour minimum air
temperature

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

pcpn_amt_pst1hr

5.7

Precision

mm

1

mm

2

Nav Canada HWOS

NC-HWOS is the common name given to observation data transmitted by NAV CANADA’s (NC)
new software interface for manned observations. NC-HWOS is a direct replacement of
WinIDE/MIDS. The observing program is in support of aviation and most stations are located at
airports. Observers are expected to input weather conditions in accordance with the Manual of
Surface Observations (MANOBS). The output is a BUFR (Binary Universal Form of Representation)
message, which is not human readable. All the incoming elements, units and values that come from
within the actual BUFR are mapped to their desired elements, units, values and qualifiers by the DMS
and stored in XML format. These elements are then mapped to the short labels shown below.

February 8, 2019

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DMF Team

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Standard
Code
Source

Label Name

Description

wmo_synop_id

WMO Identifier

unitless

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

data attribution notice

unitless

stn_nam

unitless

date_tm

station name
official report date and
time

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

icao_stn_id
clim_id

ICAO station identifier
climate identifier

unitless
unitless

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

Precision

datetime

report type
rpt_typ

Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

Standard
Units

code

std_code_sr
c

report_type

std_code_sr
c

station_type

stn_typ

station type

code

cor

correction level

unitless

stn_pres

station pressure

hPa

1

mslp
pres_tend_amt_ps
t3hrs

hPa

1

hPa

1

pres_tend_char_p
st3hrs

Mean sea level pressure
past 3-hour differential
pressure tendency amount
past 3-hour trend of
pressure tendency
characteristic

altmetr_setng

altimeter settings

inHg

2

air_temp

°C

1

dwpt_temp

2 m air temperature
2 m dew point
Temperature

°C

1

rel_hum
max_air_temp_pst
1hr

2 m relative humidity
past 1-hour max 2 m Air
Temperature

%

0

°C

1

min_air_temp_pst
1hr
max_air_temp_pst
6hrs
min_air_temp_pst
6hrs
max_air_temp_pst
24hrs
min_air_temp_pst
24hrs

past 1-hour min 2 m air
temperature
past 6-hour max 2 m Air
Temperature
past 6-hour min 2 m air
temperature
past 24-hour max 2 m air
temperature
past 24-hour min 2 m air
temperature
prevailing horizontal
visibility
maximum horizontal
visibility
minimum horizontal
visibility
vertical visibility (in
meters)

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

km

3

km

3

km

3

vis
max_vis
min_vis
vert_vis

code

3

present weather

recnt_wx_#

recent weather

code

tot_cld_amt

total cloud amount
non-cumulative cloud
amount coded (oktas)
indexed by layer

%

February 8, 2019

tendency_char
acteristic

m

prsnt_wx_#

cld_amt_code_#

std_code_sr
c

code

std_code_sr
c
std_code_sr
c

present_weath
er
present_weath
er

5
3
0

code

std_code_sr
c

total_cloud_a
mount

SW-OB-XML User Guide

5

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DMF Team

cld_bas_hgt_#
cld_typ_#
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt50-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt50-60
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt58-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt58-60
max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_pst10mts
Previously::
max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_mt50-60

cloud base height

SW-OB-XML User Guide

m

0
std_code_sr
c

obscuring_phe
nomena

cloud type

code

10-minute average 10m
wind direction

°

0

10-minute average 10m
wind speed

km/h

1

2-minute average 10m
wind direction

°

0

2-minute average 10m
wind speed

km/h

1

km/h

1

5

°

0

km/h

1

mm

1

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst24hr
s

10-minute max 10 m wind
gust speed
wind direction associated
with the past 24-hour peak
wind speed at 10 m
past 24-hour maximum
peak 2-minute mean 10m
wind speed
rainfall since last synoptic
hour (TBRG)
past 6-hour accumulated
1.5 m precipitation gauge
amount
past 24-hour accumulated
1.5 m precipitation gauge
amount

mm

1

snw_dpth

snow depth

cm

0

rmk

remark

unitless

wnd_dir_10m_pst2
4hrs_pk_spd
max_pk_wnd_spd
_10m_pst24hrs
rnfl_snc_last_syno
_hr

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

5.8

5

Nav Canada AWOS

NC-AWOS is the common name given to observation data gathered by NAV CANADA’s (NC) new
automated weather observation system (AWOS). The observing program is in support of aviation and
most stations are located at airports. NC-AWOS is a new generation system intended to replace the
MSC’s legacy AWOS. It is encoded in a defined BUFR template created by NC and EC. Although a
replacement of the legacy AWOS, NC-AWOS is not a direct data replacement. There are data content
gains, losses and differences in comparison to the MSC legacy AWOS system. The output is a BUFR
(Binary Universal Form of Representation) message, which is not human readable. All the incoming
elements, units and values that come from within the actual BUFR are mapped to their desired
elements, units, values and qualifiers by the DMS and stored in XML format. These elements are then
mapped to the short labels shown in the table below.

February 8, 2019

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DMF Team

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Standard
Code
Source

Label Name

Description

clim_id

climate identifier

unitless

msc_id

msc identifier

unitless

wmo_synop_id

WMO synoptic identifier

unitless

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

data attribution notice

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

stn_typ

station type

code

rpt_typ

report type

code

date_tm

date

datetime

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

icao_stn_id

icao station identifier

unitless

stn_pres

station pressure

hPa

1

mslp
pres_tend_amt_ps
t3hrs
pres_tend_char_p
st3hrs

mean sea level pressure
past 3-hour differential
tendency amount
past 3-hour trend pressure
tendency characteristic

hPa

1

altmetr_setng

altimeter setting

inHg

2

air_temp

2m air temperature

°C

dwpt_temp

2m dew point temperature

°C

1
1

rel_hum
max_air_temp_pst
1hr
min_air_temp_pst
1hr
max_air_temp_pst
6hrs
min_air_temp_pst
6hrs
max_air_temp_pst
24hrs
min_air_temp_pst
24hrs
avg_vis_pst10mts
Previously:
vis
max_vis_pst10mts
Previously:
max_vis_mt50-60
min_vis_pst10mts
Previously:
min_vis_mt50-60

2m relative humidity
past 1-hour maximum 2m
air temperature
past 1-hour minimum 2m
air temperature
past 6-hour maximum 2m
air temperature
past 6-hour minimum 2m
air temperature
past 24-hour maximum 2m
air temperature
past 24-hour minimum 2m
air temperature

%

cld_bas_hgt_#

cld_amt_code_#

cloud height
Cumulative cloud amount
coded (oktas) indexed by
layer

vert_vis

vertical visibility

m

std_code_sr
c
std_code_sr
c

Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#)

Standard
Units

Precision

station_type
report_type

hPa

1

code

std_code_sr
c

tendency_char
acteristic

0
1

°C
1
°C
1
°C
1
°C
1
°C
1
°C

10-min average horizontal
visibility

km

3

10-min maximum
horizontal visibility

km

3

10-min minimum
horizontal visibility

km

3

m

0

code

total_cloud_a
mount

std_code_sr
c

present_weath
er

6
3

prsnt_wx_#

present weather indexed

code

avg_wnd_dir_10m

10-min average 10m wind

°

February 8, 2019

std_code_sr
c

6

8
0

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DMF Team

_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt50-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt50-60
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt58-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst2mts
Previously
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt58-60
max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_pst10mts
Previously:
max_wnd_gst_spd
_10m_mt50-60

direction

max_pk_wnd_spd
_10m_pst1hr
wnd_dir_10m_pst1
hr_pk_spd
wnd_dir_10m_pst1
hr_max_spd
max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr

past 1-hour instantaneous
10m peak wind speed
past 1-hour instantaneous
10m peak wind direction
past 1-hour maximum 10m
wind speed direction
past 1-hour maximum 10m
wind speed
past 1-hour accumulated
1.5 m precipitation gauge
amount
past 6-hour accumulated
1.5 m precipitation gauge
amount

pcpn_amt_pst1hr

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

5.9

SW-OB-XML User Guide

10-min average 10m wind
speed

km/h

1

2-min average 10m wind
direction

°

0

2-min average 10m wind
speed

km/h

1

10-min maximum 10m
wind gust speed

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

°

0

km/h

1

mm

1

mm

2

MSC & Partner surface weather network (Campbell Sci. CA messages)

The primary focus of the Public Surface Weather network is to support weather forecasting and
climate monitoring. Observations are reported hourly, typically from data logger output tables 11 or
160. Campbell Scientific data loggers are the data acquisition system used in this network to obtain
data from sensors, as well as process, store, and transmit the data. The data loggers encode the
observations and transmit via the Datalogger Retrieval System on a one-observation to one-file basis.
The file is transmitted to the Canadian Meteorological Centre (CMC) under the bulletin header CA.
CMC then makes the file available to the rest of EC. The raw files are paired with a configuration file
from JICC, which has information on element position, name and unit, to decode the CVS file format.
Sample of CA bulletin:
Table 160
CACN00 CWAO 121300
XQA

February 8, 2019

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DMF Team

SW-OB-XML User Guide

160,2010,132,1300,1583,100,152,15.84,85.4,3.774,3.77,142.4,2.584,5.639,1203,128.9,5.375,0,4.15,4.13,135.9,5.661,4.801,4.946,16.38,86.6,4.524,4.465,134,9.26,-15.83,-17.14,-12.95,12.32,1079,213.1,0,0.076,0.112,0.112, 0.158,10.14,-10.09,162,15

The resulting decoded elements are mapped to their desired element names, units, values and
qualifiers by the DMS and stored in XML format. These elements are then mapped to the short labels
shown below.
Standa
rd
Code
Source

Standa
rd
Code
Type

Label Name

Description

Standard
Units

wmo_synop_id

wmo identifier

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

tc_id

TC identifier

unitless

clim_id

climate identifier

unitless

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

date_tm

date and time

datetime

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_avail

data availability
datalogger panel
temperature
past 1-hour maximum
battery voltage
past 1-hour minimum
battery voltage
HDR (High Data Rate)
transmitter forward
power
HDR (High Data Rate)
transmitter reflected
power
HDR (High Data Rate)
transmitter supply
voltage
HDR (High Data Rate)
transmitter oscillator drift
5-minute average UVB
index in past 1-hour

%

0

°C

1

V

2

V

2

W

2

W

2

V

2

Hz

2

relative humidity
past 1-hour maximum
relative humidity
past 1-hour minimum
relative humidity
past 1-hour average
relative humidity
past 1-hour rainfall
amount (TBRG)
5-minute cumulative
precipitation gauge
weight (filtered)

%

0

%

0

%

0

%

0

mm

1

kg/m²

1

logr_panl_temp
max_batry_volt_p
st1hr
min_batry_volt_ps
t1hr

hdr_fwd_pwr

hdr_refltd_pwr

hdr_suply_volt
hdr_oscil_drft
avg_uvb_indx_pst
1hr
rel_hum
max_rel_hum_pst
1hr
min_rel_hum_pst
1hr
avg_rel_hum_pst
1hr
rnfl_amt_pst1hr
avg_cum_pcpn_g
ag_wt_fltrd_pst5m
ts
Previously: avg_
avg_cum_pcpn_g

February 8, 2019

Precision

Maximum
Multiplicit
y (_#_

unitless

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ag_wt_fltrd_55-60
avg_cum_pcpn_g
ag_wt_fltrd_pst5m
ts_#
pcpn_amt_pst1hr
pcpn_amt_pst1hr
_#
pcpn_amt_pst3
hrs
pcpn_amt_pst24
hrs
pcpn_snc_last_sy
no_hr
air_temp
air_temp_#
avg_air_temp_pst
1hr
avg_air_temp_pst
1hr_#
max_air_temp_ps
t1hr
max_air_temp_ps
t1hr_#
min_air_temp_pst
1hr
min_air_temp_pst
1hr_#
max_air_temp_ps
t6hrs
min_air_temp_pst
6hrs
max_air_temp_ps
t24hrs
min_air_temp_pst
24hrs
dwpt_temp
wetblb_temp
avg_wetblb_temp
_pst24hrs
avg_wnd_spd_pc
pn_gag_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_pc
pn_gag_mt50-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt50-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts_#
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt50-60

5-minute cumulative
precipitation gauge
weight (filtered) min5560 (indexed)
past 1-hour precipitation
amount
past 1-hour precipitation
amount (indexed)
past 3-hour precipitation
amount
past 24-hour
precipitation amount
precipitation since last
synoptic hour
1-min average air
temperature
1-min average air
temperature (indexed).
past 1-hour average air
temperature
past 1-hour average air
temperature (indexed)
past 1-hour maximum
air temperature
past 1-hour maximum
air temperature
(indexed)
past 1-hour minimum air
temperature
past 1-hour minimum air
temperature (indexed)
past 6-hour maximum
(1-minute average)
hourly air temperature
past 6-hour minimum (1minute average) hourly
air temperature
past 24-hour maximum
(1-minute average)
hourly air temperature
past 24-hour minimum
(1-minute average)
hourly air temperature
dew point temperature
(top of the hour)
wet bulb temperature
(top of hour)
past 24-hour average (1minute average) wetbulb
temperature
10-minute average wind
speed at the height of
the precipitation gauge
(approx. 2 m in most
cases)

10-minute average 10 m
wind speed
10-minute average 10 m
wind speed (indexed)

10-minute vector
average 10 m wind
direction

February 8, 2019

kg/m²

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

°C

1
1

°C

3

2

3
1

°C
1
°C

3
1

°C
1
°C

3
1

°C
1
°C

3
1

°C
1
°C
1
°C
1
°C
°C

1

°C

1

°C

1

km/h

1

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

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avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts_#
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_mt58-60
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst2mts _#
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst2mts
Previously:
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_mt58-60
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst2mts_#
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr_#
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst1hr
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst1hr_#
max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
Previously:
max_wnd_spd_10
m_mt50-60
max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts_#
wnd_dir_10m_pst
10mts_max_spd
Previously:
wnd_dir_10m_mt
50-60_max_spd
wnd_dir_10m_pst
10mts_max_spd_
#
max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr
max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr_#
wnd_dir_10m_pst
1hr_max_spd

wnd_dir_10m_pst
1hr_max_spd_#
max_wnd_spd_ps
t1hr_tm
max_wnd_spd_ps
t1hr_tm_#
max_wnd_gst_sp
d_10m_pst10mts
Previously:
max_wnd_gst_sp
d_10m_mt50-60
wnd_dir_10m_pst
1hr_pk_spd
max_pk_wnd_spd
_10m_pst1hr

SW-OB-XML User Guide

10-minute vector
average 10 m wind
direction (indexed)

2-minute average 10 m
wind speed
2-minute average 10 m
wind speed (indexed)

2-minute vector average
10 m wind direction
2-minute vector average
10 m wind direction
(indexed)
past 1-hour average 10
m wind speed
past 1-hour average 10
m wind speed (indexed)
past 1-hour vector
average 10 m wind
direction
past 1-hour vector
average 10 m wind
direction (indexed)

10-minute max 10 m
wind speed
10-minute max 10 m
wind speed (indexed)

Instantaneous 10 m
wind direction for max
10-minute wind speed
Instantaneous 10 m
wind direction for max
10-minute wind speed
(indexed)
1-hour max 10 m wind
speed
1-hour max 10 m wind
speed (indexed)
Instantaneous 10 m
wind direction for max
hourly wind speed
Instantaneous 10 m
wind direction for max
hourly wind speed
(indexed)
Time of max hourly 10 m
wind speed
Time of max hourly 10 m
wind speed (indexed)

10-min max 10m wind
gust speed
past 1-hour peak instant
wind direction at 10m
past 1-hour peak
instantaneous wind
speed at 10 m

February 8, 2019

°

0

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

°

0

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

°

0

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

°

0

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

°

0

hhmm

1

hhmm

1

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

SW-OB-XML User Guide

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

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max_pk_wnd_tm_
pst1hr
pk_wnd_rmk
stn_pres
mslp
pres_tend_amt_p
st3hrs
pres_tend_char_p
st3hrs
avg_snw_dpth_ps
t5mts
Previously:
snw_dpth

avg_snw_dpth_ps
t5mts_#
Previously:
snw_dpth_#
avg_snw_dpth_ps
t1hr
max_vis_pst1hr
avg_globl_solr_ra
dn_pst1hr
tot_globl_solr_rad
n_pst1hr

SW-OB-XML User Guide

past 1-hour peak
instantaneous wind
speed time
derived peak wind
remark
station pressure (top of
hour)
mean sea level pressure
(top of the hour)
past 3-hour differential
pressure tendency
amount
past 3-hour differential
pressure tendency
characteristic

5-min average snow
depth
5-min average snow
depth (indexed). Only
present if an official
value from the three
input snow depths could
not be determined.
past 1-hour average
snow depth
past 1-hour maximum
horizontal visibility
past 1-hour average
global solar radition
(RF1)
past 1-hour total global
solar radition (RF1)

datetime
unitless
hPa

1

hPa

1

hPa

code

1
std_cod
e_src

tendenc
y_chara
cteristic

cm

0

cm

0

cm

0

km

3

W/m2

1

kJ/m2

1

3

5.10 PanAm – Minutely MSC & Partner surface weather network - COMPACT
A temporary MSC mesonet installed to support the 2015 PanAm Games. Atmospheric weather data
are collected and output on a minutely basis. The stations are self-contained on a single portable
platform that allows for the stations to be easily moved and deployed when and where needed. Most
stations are deployed at ground level at or near venues, but some are on structures or rooftops (see
wind note in section 5.2.1). Campbell Scientific data loggers are the data acquisition system used in
this network to obtain data from sensors, as well as process, store, and transmit the data. The data
loggers encode the observations and transmit via the Datalogger Retrieval System on a oneobservation to one-file basis. The raw files are paired with a configuration file from JICC (using
Table 63), which has information on element position, names and units, to decode the CVS file format.
The minutely observed values are then used to derive additional minutely, hourly and daily elements.
These are then mapped to the short labels below.

Label Name

Description

Standard
Units

wmo_synop_id

wmo identifier

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

tc_id

TC identifier

unitless

February 8, 2019

Standard
Code
Source

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Standard
Code Type

Precision

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clim_id

climate identifier

unitless

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

date_tm

date and time

datetime

data_avail_pst1hr

data availability

%

0

data_avail_pst1mt

data availability
past 1-minute minimum battery
voltage
past 1-hour minimum battery
voltage
past 1-minute maximum battery
voltage
past 1-hour maximum battery
voltage

%

0

V

2

V

2

V

2

V

2

datalogger panel temperature

°C

1

1-min average air temperature

°C

1

%

0

%

0

%

0

1-minute average dew point
temperature

°C

1

1-minute average wet bulb
temperature

°C

1

1-minute average station
pressure

hPa

1

1-minute average wind speed
1-minute vector average wind
direction

km/h

1

°

0

1-minute maximum wind speed
1-minute vector average wind
direction

km/h

1

°

0

10-minute maximum wind speed
1-minute vector average wind
direction

km/h

1

°

0

max_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr
wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr_max_
spd
max_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr
_tm

1-hour maximum wind speed
1-hr vector average wind
direction

km/h

1

°

0

1-hour maximum wind speed

hhmm

1

avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr

past 1-hour average wind speed
past 1-hour vector average wind
direction
past 10-minute average wind
speed
past 10-minute vector average
wind direction

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

°

0

min_batry_volt_pst1mt
min_batry_volt_pst1hr
max_batry_volt_pst1mt
max_batry_volt_pst1hr
logr_panl_temp
air_temp
Previously:
avg_air_temp_pst1mt
rel_hum
Previously:
avg_rel_hum_pst1mt
max_rel_hum_pst1mt
min_rel_hum_pst1mt
dwpt_temp
Previously:
avg_dwpt_temp_pst1mt
wetblb_temp
Previously:
avg_wetblb_temp_pst1mt
stn_pres
Previously:
avg_stn_pres_pst1mt
avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst1mt
avg_wnd_dir_10m_pst1mt
max_wnd_spd_10m_pst1m
t
wnd_dir_10m_pst1mt_max
_spd
max_wnd_spd_10m_pst10
mts
wnd_dir_10m_pst10mts_m
ax_spd

avg_wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr
avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst10
mts
avg_wnd_dir_10m_pst10mt
s

February 8, 2019

1-minute average relative
humidity
1-minute maximum relative
humidity
1-minute minimum relative
humidity

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avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst2mt
s
avg_wnd_dir_10m_pst2mts
mslp
Previously:
avg_mslp_pst1mt
avg_dwpt_temp_pst1hr
max_rel_hum_pst1hr
min_rel_hum_pst1hr
avg_air_temp_pst1hr
max_air_temp_pst1hr
min_air_temp_pst1hr
avg_rel_hum_pst1hr
rnfl_amt_pst1hr
pcpn_amt_pst1hr
pcpn_amt_pst1mt
pcpn_amt_pst10mts
pcpn_typ_pst1mt
pcpn_amt_snc_top_of_hr
max_wnd_gst_spd_10m_p
st10mts
wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr_pk_s
pd
max_pk_wnd_spd_10m_ps
t1hr

SW-OB-XML User Guide

past 2-minute average wind
speed
past 2-minute vector average
wind direction
past 1-minute average mean
sea level pressure
1-hour average dew point
temperature
1-hour maximum relative
humidity
1-hour minimum relative
humidity
past 1-hour average air
temperature
past 1-hour maximum air
temperature
past 1-hour minimum air
temperature
past 1-hour average relative
humidity
past 1-hour rainfall amount
(TBRG)
past 1-hour precipitation amount
past 1-minute precipitation
amount
past 10-minute precipitation
amount
past 1-minute precipitation
amount
precipitation amount since top of
the hour
10-min max wind gust speed
past 1-hour peak instantaneous
wind direction
past 1-hour peak instantaneous
wind speed

km/h

1

°

0

hPa

1

°C

1

%

0

%

0
1

°C
1
°C
1
°C
%

0

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm
code

1
std_code_sr
c

present_weat
her

1

mm

1

km/h

1

°

0

km/h

1

5.11 OPP Moored Buoy
The Ocean Protection Plan is the largest Government of Canada (GoC) undertaking to improve marine
safety and responsible shipping, protect Canada's marine environment, and offer new possibilities for
Indigenous and coastal communities. Towards this effort Environment and Climate Change Canada is
mandated to deploy new moored buoys along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts. These buoys will report
hourly weather, wave and housekeeping (diagnostic) data in CSV (comma separated value) format
over the Iridium satellite network. The data will be processed in real-time, quality assessed and
products such as WMO synoptic and SWOB will be generated and disseminated to their respective
end-points. Additionally, MSC forecasters will use the OPP data in NinJo (forecaster workstation) to
produce accurate and localized coastal marine forecasts towards fulfilling GoC OPP objectives.

Label Name

Description

Standard
Units

wmo_synop_id

wmo identifier

unitless

stn_nam

station name

unitless

February 8, 2019

Standard
Code
Source

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Standard
Code Type

Precision

Page 55 of 111

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#_

DMF Team

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msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

date_tm

date and time

datetime

buoy_typ

type of buoy

code

rpt_typ

report type

code

crnt_buoy_lat

current buoy latitude

°

6

crnt_buoy_long

current buoy longitude
10-minute average current
voltage
10-minute average solar panel
current
10-minute average battery
voltage

°

6

V

1

1

A

2

1

V

1

1

10-min average air temperature
10-minute average station
pressure
10-minute sea surface
temperature

°C

1

1

hPa

1

2

°C

1

1

km/h

1

2

°

0

2

km/h

1

2

wnd_snsr_vert_disp

10-minute average wind speed
10-minute vector average wind
direction
10-minute maximum average
wind speed
vertical displacement of the wind
sensors

m

1

2

pk_wave_pd_pst20mts

20-minute peak wave period

s

1

1

pk_wave_hgt_pst20mts

m

1

1

s

1

1

sig_wave_hgt_pst20mts

20-minute peak wave height
20-minute significant wave
period
20-minute significant wave
height

m

1

1

avg_wave_pd_pst20mts

20-minute average wave period

s

1

1

avg_wave_hgt_pst20mts
avg_max_wave_pd_pst20
mts
avg_max_wave_hgt_pst20
mts

20-minute average wave height
20-minute maximum average
wave period
20-minute maximum average
wave height
10-minute average mean sea
level pressure
3-hour pressurent tendency
amount
3-hour pressure tendency
characteristic

m

1

1

s

1

1

m

1

1

hPa

1

1

1

1

avg_crnt_volt_pst10mts
avg_solr_panl_crnt_pst10m
ts
avg_batry_volt_pst10mts
avg_air_temp_pst10mts
avg_stn_pres_pst10mts
avg_sea_sfc_temp_pst10m
ts
avg_wnd_spd_pst10mts
avg_wnd_dir_pst10mts
max_avg_wnd_spd_pst10
mts

sig_wave_pd_pst20mts

avg_mslp_pst10mts
pres_tend_amt_pst3hrs
pres_tend_char_pst3hrs

std_code_sr
c
std_code_sr
c

buoy_type
report_type

hPa
code

std_code_sr
c

tendency_char
acteristic

5.12 BC Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure (BC-TRAN)
British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (BC-TRAN) operates a network of
automatic weather stations along its highways throughout the province. This network resets
accumulations and measurement intervals for statistics at 0600 and 1800 Pacific Standard Time daily.
Environment Canada retrieves the data from BC-TRAN server in CSV format and ingests into the

February 8, 2019

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DMS. The resulting decoded elements are mapped to the corresponding DMS elements, units, values
and qualifiers and stored in XML format. These elements are then mapped to the short labels shown
below.

Label Name
lat

Description
Latitude

Standard
Units
°

long

Longitude

°

stn_elev

Station elevation

m

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

stn_id

Station identifier

unitless

stn_nam

Station name

unitless

stn_shrt_nam

Station short name

unitless

date_tm

Date and time

datetime

data_pvdr

Data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

Data attribution notice

unitless

stn_pres

Station pressure

hPa

max_wnd_spd_10
m_pst1hr
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts

km/h

1

km/h

1

°

0

air_temp

Past 1-hr maximum 10 m
wind speed
Past 10-min average 10 m
wind speed
Past 10-min vector
average 10 m wind
direction
Air temperature

max_air_temp_sn
c_last_reset
min_air_temp_snc
_last_reset
dwpt_temp

Maximum air temperature
since last reset
Minimum air temperature
since last reset
Dew point temperature

°C

pcpn_amt_pst1hr

Precipitation amount past
1-hr
Precipitation amount since
last reset
Precipitation detected

mm

1

mm

1

code

pcpn_amt_pst12hr
s
pcpn_amt_pst24hr
s
rel_hum

Precipitation measurement
method
Precipitation amount past
3 hrs
Precipitation amount past
6 hrs
Precipitation amount past
12 hrs
Precipitation amount past
24 hrs
Relative humidity

snw_dpth

Adjacent snow depth

cm

0

snwfl_snc_last_re
set
snwfl_amt_pst1hr

Snowfall amount since last
reset
Snowfall amount past 1-hr

cm

0

cm

0

mslp

Mean sea level pressure

hPa

1

last_reset_date_t
m

Last reset date time

datetime

pcpn_snc_last_res
et
pcpn_dctn
pcpn_msrmnt_mtd
pcpn_amt_pst3hrs
pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

February 8, 2019

Standard
Code Source

Standard Code
Type

Precision
6
6

°C

°C
°C

unitless
std_code_src

precipitation_meas
urement_method

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

%

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5.13 BC Wildfire Management Branch (BC-FLNR-WMB)
British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources - Wildfire Management Branch,
commonly known as BC forestry, operates approximately 260 hourly automated weather stations to
support fire weather forecasting and the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. BC forestry
encodes the data from all stations into single ASCII file and it is retrieved by EC. The resulting
decoded elements are mapped to the corresponding DMS elements, units, values and qualifiers and
stored in XML format. These elements are then mapped to the short labels shown below.

Label Name

Description

Standard
Units

msc_id

MSC identifier

unitless

stn_id

Station identifier

unitless

stn_nam

Station name

unitless

lat

Latitude

°

6

long

Longitude

°

6

stn_elev

Station elevation

m

3

date_tm

Date and time

datetime

data_pvdr

Data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

unitless

rnfl_amt_pst24hrs

Data attribution notice
Rainfall amount past 1hour
Rainfall amount past 6
hours
Rainfall amount past 3
hours
Rainfall amount past 24
hours

air_temp
rel_hum

rnfl_amt_pst1hr
rnfl_amt_pst6hrs
rnfl_amt_pst3hrs

avg_wnd_dir_10m
_pst10mts
avg_wnd_spd_10
m_pst10mts
pcpn_amt_pst1hr
snw_dpth
pcpn_msrmnt_mtd

Standard
Code Source

Standard Code
Type

mm

Precision

1

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

Air temperature

°C

1

Relative humidity
Past 10-min vector
average 10 m wind
direction
Past 10-min average 10 m
wind speed
Precipitation amount past
1-hour

%

0

°

0

km/h

1

Snow depth
Precipitation measurement
method

cm

mm

code

1
0
std_code_src

precipitation_meas
urement_method

5.14 BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy-Air Quality (BCENV-AQMet)
British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (BC ENV) operates a network of
weather stations for the purpose of air quality monitoring. BC ENV operates approximately 50
meteorological monitoring stations that transmit data via cellular or telephone telemetry to a central
database every hour. Hourly data is retrieved from BC ENV in a CSV format and ingested into the DMS.
The resulting decoded elements are mapped to the corresponding DMS elements, units, values and
qualifiers and stored in XML format. There elements are then mapped to the short labels shown below.

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Label Name

Description

Standard
Units

stn_nam

station name

unitless

msc_id

msc identifier

unitless

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

data attribution notice

unitless

date_tm

date

datetime

stn_id

unitless

pcpn_msrmnt_mtd

station id
precipitation measurement
method

avg_rel_hum_pst1hr

past 1-hour relative humidity

%

0

avg_stn_pres_pst1hr

past 1-hour station pressure

kPa

1

avg_vpr_pres_pst1hr

past 1-hour vapour pressure

kPa

wnd_gst_spd_pst1hr_tm
avg_cum_pcpn_gag_wt_pst
1mt
avg_1mt_wnd_dir_10m_pst
1hr_max_avg_1mt_wnd_sp
d
max_1mt_avg_wnd_spd_1
0m_pst1hr
std_dev_wnd_spd_sclr_10
m_pst1hr
avg_wnd_spd_sclr_10m_ps
t1hr

km/h

avg_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr

past 1-hour wind gust speed
Past 1-minute cumulative
precipitation gauge weight
Past 1-hour average 10m wind
direction of maximum 1-minute
mean wind speed
past 1-hour maximum 10m 1minute mean wind speed
past 1-hour standard deviation
10m scalar wind speed
past 1-hour average 10m scalar
wind speed
past 1-hour standard deviation
10m wind direction based on 4
15 minute sub-intervals
past 1-hour average 10m unit
vector wind direction
past 1-hour maximum 10m wind
gust speed
past 1-hour standard deviation
10m wind direction
past 1-hour average 10m wind
direction
past 1-hour maximum 10m wind
speed
past 1-hour average 10m wind
speed

snw_snsr_sgnl_qlty

snow sensor signal quality

unitless

weighng_gag_stat

weighing gauge status

unitless

data_avail_pst1hr

past 1-hour data availability

%

dwpt_temp

°C

1

°C

1

avg_globl_solr_radn_pst1hr

dew point temperature
past 1-hour average air
temperature
past 1-hour global solar
radiation

W/m2

1

snw_dpth

snow depth

cm

0

pcpn_amt_pst1hr

past 1-hour precipitation amount

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst3hrs

past 3-hour precipitation amount

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

past 6-hour precipitation amount
past 12-hour precipitation
amount
past 24-hour precipitation
SW-OB-XML
amount

mm

1

avg_wnd_dir_std_dev_10m
_pst1hr
avg_unit_vtr_wnd_dir_10m
_pst1hr
max_wnd_gst_spd_10m_ps
t1hr
std_dev_wnd_dir_10m_pst
1hr
avg_wnd_dir_10m_pst1hr
max_wnd_spd_10m_pst1hr

avg_air_temp_pst1hr

pcpn_amt_pst12hrs

February 8, 2019
pcpn_amt_pst24hrs

Standard Code
Source

Standard Code
Type

Precision

code

mm

1

°
km/h

1

km/h

1

km/h

°
°
km/h

1

°

0

°

0

km/h

1

km/h

1

mm

User Guide
mm

1

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SW-OB-XML User Guide

5.15 BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy-Snow Weather
(BC-ENV-SnowWx)
British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (BC ENV) operates a network of
automatic weather stations that report snow, precipitation, and temperature values. This network utilizes
GOES for transmitting observations from the station to a central processor. GOES transmissions are routed
through the GTS where they are retrieved by ECCC hourly and ingested into the DMS. The resulting
decoded elements are mapped to the corresponding DMS elements, units, values and qualifiers and stored
in XML format. There elements are then mapped to the short labels shown below.

Standard
Code
Source

Label Name

Description

stn_nam

station name

unitless

msc_id

msc identifier

unitless

lat

latitude

°

6

long

longitude

°

6

stn_elev

station elevation

m

3

data_pvdr

data provider

unitless

data_attrib_not

data attribution notice

unitless

date_tm

date

datetime

nesdis_id

NESDIS Identifier

unitless

air_temp_#

current air temperature

°C

1

air_temp_1hr_ago_#

air temperature 1 hour ago

°C

1

air_temp_2hrs_ago_#
snw_dpth_wtr_equiv
snw_dpth_wtr_equiv_1hr_a
go
snw_dpth_wtr_equiv_2hrs_
ago

air temperature 2 hours ago
snow depth water equivalence
snow depth water equivalence 1
hour ago
snow depth water equivalence 2
hours ago

°C
cm

1
1

cm

1

cm

1

snw_dpth

snow depth

mm

0

snw_dpth_1hr_ago

snow depth 1 hour ago

mm

0

snw_dpth_2hrs_ago

snow depth 2 hours ago

mm

0

cum_pcpn_amt

mm

1

mm

1

cum_pcpn_amt_2hrs_ago

cumulative rainfall amount
cumulative rainfall amount 1
hour ago
cumulative rainfall amount 2
hours ago

mm

1

batry_volt

battery voltage

V

batry_volt_1hr_ago

battery voltage 1 hour ago

V

2

batry_volt_2hrs_ago

battery voltage 2 hours ago

V

2

solr_volt

solar voltage

V

2

solr_volt_1hr_ago

solar voltage 1 hour ago

V

2

solr_volt_2hrs_ago

solar voltage 2 hours ago

V

2

trans_batry_volt

transmitter voltage

V

trans_batry_volt_1hr_ago

transmitter voltage 1 hour ago

V

cum_pcpn_amt_1hr_ago

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Standard
Code Type

Maximum
Multiplicity
(_#_

Standard
Units

Precision

2

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trans_batry_volt_2hrs_ago

transmitter voltage 2 hours ago

V

2

wtr_lvl_1hr_ago

water level

m

1

wtr_lvl_2hrs_ago

water level 2 hours ago

m

snw_dpth_qlty

snow depth quality

unitless

snw_dpth_qlty_1hr_ago

snow depth quality 1 hour ago

unitless

snw_dpth_qlty_2hrs_ago

snow depth quality 2 hours ago

unitless

wtr_temp

water temperature

C

1

wtr_temp_1hr_ago

water temperature 1 hour ago

C

1

wtr_temp_2hrs_ago

water temperature 2 hours ago

C

1

pcpn_amt_pst1hr

past 1-hour precipitation amount

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst3hrs

past 3-hour precipitation amount

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst6hrs

past 6-hour precipitation amount
past 12-hour precipitation
amount
past 24-hour precipitation
amount

mm

1

mm

1

mm

1

pcpn_amt_pst12hrs
pcpn_amt_pst24hrs

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6. Appendices
6.1

Glossary

Term

Abbreviation For:

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information
Interexchange

ATMOS

Automated Transportable Meteorological
Observing System

AWOS

Automated Weather Observing Station

BDQ

Base de Données Qualifiées

BUFR

Binary Universal Format for Representation

CA

Campbell

CMC

Canadian Meteorological Centre

COMPACT
CSV

Comma, Space, Value

DMF

Data Management Framework

DMI

Data Management Initiative

DMS
DND

Data Management System
Department of National Defense

EC

Environment Canada

GML

Geography Markup Language

HWOS

Human Weather Observation Stations

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

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Definition
a code for representing data as numbers, with each
character assigned a number from 0 to 127
automatic surface weather stations (using Campbell
data loggers) operated by EC’s Science and
Technology Branch
weather stations that use automated sensors to
report weather observations
decoding and Qa/Qc software used in Quebec
Region
a binary WMO code form used to transmit numerical
or quantitative data
an ASCII CVS file containing data recoded by a
Campbell Scientific data logger
provides forecast guidance to national and regional
prediction centres
automatic compact surface weather stations (using
Campbell data loggers) operated by the MSC.
Temporarily deployed in support of the 2015 PanAm
Games
a file format where data values are delimited by a
comma or space
new framework data management policies,
procedures, processes and standards that are being
implement to manage MSC’s environmental
monitoring data
an initiative used to lead the development,
implementation and enhancement of a data
management framework and systems that provides
clients with an authoritative source of MSC and
related external data of known quality
a real-time data acquisition, standardization, quality
assessment and product generation software of
observation, forecast, and warning data
Department of National Defense
the department of the Government of Canada
responsible for coordinating environmental policies
and programs, providing weather forecasts and
detailed meteorological information as well as
preserving and enhancing the natural environment
and renewable resources
the XML grammar defined by the Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC) to express geographical features;
serves as a modeling language for geographic
systems as well as an open interchange format for
geographic transactions on the Internet.
weather stations that require an observer to report
weather conditions
a specialized agency of the United Nations that
codifies the principles and techniques of international
air navigation and fosters the planning and

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ISAx41

ISAx61

ISAx62

LWIS

Limited Weather Information System

JICC

Java Interactive CodeCon

MANOBS

Manual for Surface Weather Observation

METAR

Meteorological Aviation Report

MIDS

MSC

Meteorological Services of Canada

MSLP

Mean Sea Level Pressure

NativeQC

Native Quality Control

NC

Nav Canada (National Aviation Canada)

O&M

Observations and Measurements international
standard

OGC

Open Geospatial Consortium

OPP

Ocean Protection Plan

PG

Product Generator

Qa

Quality Assessment

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development of international air transport to ensure
safe and orderly growth
telecommunications circuit header used to transmit
BUFR data collected from manned stations
telecommunications circuit header used to transmit
BUFR data collected from Nav Canada automated
stations
telecommunications circuit header used to transmit
BUFR data collected from Nav Canada manned
stations
a more basic automated weather system (AWOS),
capable of measuring only wind, altimeter
setting, temperature and dew point temperature
a software interface for entering and maintaining
automatic station configuration data and used to
decode their raw messages
a manual that prescribes the standard procedures of
the Meteorological Service of Canada for observing,
recording and reporting weather conditions
an ASCII format for routine surface weather
observation for aviation purposes, reported on-thehour;
a legacy interface for entering weather observations
at aviation stations
a Branch of Environment Canada, which provides
public meteorological information, weather
forecasts and warnings of severe weather and also
monitors and conducts research
on climate, atmospheric science, air quality, water
quantities, ice and other environmental issues
station pressure reduced to the level of mean sea
level
Incoming information and flags indicating data quality
or quality control performed at source
private corporation that provides aviation data and
weather briefings
defines standard models and XML schema for
encoding observations and meteorological data from
a sensor, both archived and real-time. O&M is one of
the core standards in the OGC Sensor Web
Enablement (SWE) suite.
an international industry consortium of companies,
government agencies and universities participating in
a consensus process to develop publicly available
interface standards
Government of Canada (GoC) undertaking to
improve marine safety and responsible shipping,
protects Canada's marine environment, and offer
new possibilities for Indigenous and coastal
communities
software that generates products (e.g. SYNOP,
METAR, SWOB)
an evaluation where data are subjected to quality
check routines used to assess and characterize the
quality of data

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QC

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Quality Control

RA
RCS

Reference Climate Station

SA

Surface Analysis

SP

Special

SWE

Sensor Web Enablement

SW-OB-XML
SWOB

Surface Weather Observation XML
Surface Weather Observation

SYNOP

Synoptic

Taxonomy
TBRG

Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge

TC_ID

Transport Canada identifier

URI

Uniform Resource Identifier

WinIDE

Windows Interactive Data Entry

WMO

World Meteorological Organization

XML

Extensible Markup Language

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measures taken to correct or control bad data
bulletin header for MSC’s legacy AWOS weather
observation reports
an enhanced automatic surface weather observing
station operated by the MSC
decommissioned ASCII format used for surface
weather observation
special aviation weather report issued off the top of
the hour when there is significant change in weather
an OGC initiative that enables all types of Web
and/or Internet-accessible sensors, instruments, and
imaging devices to be accessible and, where
applicable, controllable via the Web
an XML product containing surface weather and
climate observations from MSC, partner and 3rd party
monitoring networks. It is simplified XML product that
focuses on core weather data without the clutter and
complexity of auxiliary metadata
a condensed reference to the SW-OB-XML product
weather observations reported at least four times a
day at 0000 UTC, 0600 UTC, 1200 UTC and 1800
UTC
structure for classifying content (a unique dataset)
according to a predetermined information domain;
assists in organizing and describing information
a tipping bucket rain gauge is used to measure liquid
precipitation (rainfall) or rate of rainfall
unique 3-letter ID's traditionally assigned by
Transport Canada aviation weather stations, but also
assigned by MSC to public surface weather stations
the path that uniquely identifies an individual instance
of a dataset. It is made up of the taxonomy and
additional parameters unique to the dataset.
a software interface that allows data to be recorded
at manned aviation weather stations and transmits
the data in BUFR format
specialized agency of the United Nations for
meteorology (weather and climate), operational
hydrology and related geophysical sciences
a markup language that defines a set of rules for
encoding documents in a format that is both humanreadable and machine-readable

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6.2

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Short Label Abbreviations

The table below shows the full word being abbreviated for the name portion of the SWOB element
‘short label’.

Word/Phrase

abbrev

above
above mean sea level
accretion
accumulated
accuracy
acquisition
actual
aerial
agency
air
aircraft
airframe
algorithm
altimeter
altitude
amount
and
anemometer
angle
approximated
arrangement
arrival
attribution
automatic/automated
availability
aviation
awos
aws (automatic weather system)
azimuth
barometer
base
based
battery
bearing
below
black
block
bound
boundary
bright
buoy

abv
amsl
accretn
accum
acc
acq
actl
aerl
agncy
air
acft
arfrm
algo
altmetr
altd
amt
and
anemom
angl
aprxd
arrngmnt
arrivl
attrib
auto
avail
avtn
aws
aws
azmth
baro
bas
based
batry
berng
blw
blck
blk
bnd
bndry
brght
buoy

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bypass
cable
calibration
capability
ceiling
ceilometer
change
characteristic/character
checksum
chosen
class
clear
climate
cloud
code/coded
coefficient
computer
conditions/condition
configuration
constant
contamination
correction
count
cover
cumulative
current
data
datalogger
date
date-time
day
decode
degree
density
departure
deposit
depression
depth
derived
description
descriptor
designator
destination
detection
development
deviation
dewpoint
diagnostic

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bypas
cabl
cal
cap
clg
ceilmtr
chg
char
cksum
chsn
class
clr
clim
cld
code
coeff
comp
condn
config
const
contamntn
cor
cnt
cvr
cum
crnt
data
logr
date
datetm
dy
decod
deg
dnsty
depart
dpst
deprssn
dpth
der
desc
dscrptr
dsgntr
dest
dtctn
devlmt
dev
dwpt
diagnstc

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diameter
differential
diffuse
digit
direct
direction
discrimination
displacement
distance/distant
drift
drifting
drogue
dummy
duration
east
edge
element
elevation
emittance
end
engineering
enroute
equipment
equivalent
error
evaporation
events
evolution
extended
factor
filtered
fine
fire
flag/flags
flight
flown
forward
free
frequency
fresh
friction
fuel
gauge
Geonor
geopotential
global
globe
GPS (global positioning system)

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dia
diff
dfuse
digit
drect
dir
discrmn
dsplcmt
dis
drft
drftg
drog
dum
dur
east
edg
elemt
elev
emit
end
eng
enrt
eqpt
equiv
err
evap
evnts
evoln
extnd
factr
fltrd
fine
fire
flg
flt
flown
fwd
free
freq
frsh
fric
fuel
gag
gnor
geoptl
globl
glob
gps

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ground
group
gust
hailstone
hardware
hazard
header/HDR (high data rate GOES
transmitter)
height
high
horizontal
hour
hourly
hours
humidity
hwos (human weather observing system)
hydrostatic
icao (international civil aviation organization)
ice
icing
identifier, identify
index
indicator
information
infrared
initial
input
instantaneous
instrument
intensity
interface
internal
irradiance
isobaric
issuing
julian day (day of year)
last
latitude
layer
length
level
lightning
liquid
local
local standard time
logger
longitude
low

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gnd
grp
gst
halstn
hrdwr
hzrd
hdr
hgt
hi
hor
hr
hly
hrs
hum
hwos
hydrosttc
icao
ice
icng
id
indx
indctr
info
ir
initl
inpt
inst
instr
intnsty
intrfc
int
irrad
isobar
issug
jday
last
lat
lyr
len
lvl
ltng
lqd
locl
lst
logr
long
lo

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lower
lowest
magnitude
main
maintenance
mandatory
manned
marine
marsden
maximum
mean (average)
mean sea level
mean sea level pressure
measurement
message
method
middle
minimum
minute
mobile
model
moisture
motion
MSC (meteorological service of Canada)
name
national
navigational/navigation
network
node
north
notice
number
obscuration
obscuring
observation
occurrence
octas
office
official
offset
opacity
operating
oscillator
other
override
pan
panel
panic

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lwr
lwst
mag
main
matnanc
mand
mnd
marin
marsden
max
avg
msl
mslp
msrmnt
msg
mtd
mid
min
mt
mbl
modl
moist
mtn
msc
nam
natl
nav
ntwk
node
north
not
nbr
obscn
obscg
obs
ocr
octas
off
ofcl
offset
opcty
oprating
oscil
othr
ovrd
pan
panl
panic

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part
past
peak
period
peripheral
phase
phenomenon
plan
point
position
power
precipitation
precision
present
pressure
prevailing
processed
product
program
provider
province
proximity
pyranometer
quadrant
qualifier
quality
radiation
rainfall
range
rapid
read/reading
recent
reference
reflected
refuel
region
relative
relay
release
remark
removal
report
reporting
reset
revised
roll
run
runway

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prt
pst
pk
pd
periphl
phas
phenom
plan
pt
pos
pwr
pcpn
precisn
prsnt
pres
prev
procssd
prdct
prg
pvdr
prov
prxmty
pyrnmtr
quad
qlfr
qlty
radn
rnfl
rng
rpd
read
recnt
ref
refltd
reful
regn
rel
relay
rls
rmk
remov
rpt
rptg
reset
rev
rol
run
rwy

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rvr (runway visual range)
salinity
satellite
sea
send
sensor
serial
service
setting
shear
shift
ship
shortwave
shutdown
signal
significant/significance/signature
since
situation
sky
snow
snowfall
SOG (snow on ground)
soil
solar
solid
sonde
space
special
specification
speed
spray
spread
square
stage
standard
start
state
station
statistical
status
stop
storm
strike
string (text string)
subsurface
summation
sunshine
supplementary

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SW-OB-XML User Guide

rvr
salnty
sat
sea
snd
snsr
ser
serv
setng
shr
shft
shp
shrtwv
shtdwn
sgnl
sig
snc
situatn
sky
snw
snwfl
sog
soil
solr
sld
sonde
spce
spcl
spec
spd
spry
sprd
sq
stg
std
start
state
stn
statcal
stat
stop
strm
strk
strng
subsfc
sum
sunshn
suppl

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supply
suppressed
surface
suspect
swell
synoptic
system
table
TC (Transport Canada)
technique
temperature
tendency
thickness
time
top
total
towards
track
tracking
transducer
transient
transmission/transmitter
trend
tropic
tropopause
turbulence
type
ultraviolet radiation
ultraviolet A radiation
ultraviolet B radiation
unfiltered
unit
unknown
unprocessed
upper
used
UTC (universal coordinated time)
valid
value
vapour
variable/variation
vector
version
vertical
vicinity
visibility
voltage
vortex

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suply
spprssd
sfc
suspct
swell
syno
sys
tbl
tc
technq
temp
tend
thknes
tm
top
tot
twds
trk
trkng
transdcr
trnsnt
trans
trnd
tropic
tropo
turb
typ
uv
uva
uvb
unfiltrd
unit
unkn
unprocssd
upr
used
utc
vld
val
vpr
var
vtr
ver
vert
vcnity
vis
volt
vrtx

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warning
watchman
water
Wave
weather
weight
wet-bulb
wind
with
without
wmo (world metrological organisation)
year
zone

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wrng
wtchmn
wtr
wave
wx
wt
wetblb
wnd
w
wo
wmo
yr
zn

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6.3

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Units of Measure

The table below is an inventory of all units of measure used by the DMS.
UNIT CLASS

UNIT NAME

UNIT
SYMBOL

Angle
Angle
Angle
Angle

decadegree(s)
decidegree(s)
decidegree(s)
minute(s) of arc - (1/60) degree

da°
d°
0.1°
'

Angle
Angle
Angle
Angle
Area
Area
Area
Area
Area
Areal_Weight

degree(s) - equal to (pi/180)rad
decadegrees
second(s) of arc - (1/60) minute
millidegrees
square kilometre(s)
hectare(s)
square metre(s)
acre(s)
square mile(s)
kilograms per square metre(s)

°
10°
"
m°
km²
ha
m²
acre
mi²
kg/m²

Calibration

centimetre(s) per square hertz

cm/Hz²

Calibration
Code
Density
Density
Density

centimetre(s) per hertz
unit is a code value
microgram(s) per cubic meter
milligram(s) per litre
micrograms(s) per litre

Electrical/Magnetic

Siemens

Electrical/Magnetic

milliSiemens

Electrical/Magnetic

milliSiemens per 10 cm

Electrical/Magnetic

milli-mhos per 10 cm

Electrical/Magnetic

milliSiemens per 10 cm

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cm/Hz
code
µg/m³
mg/L
µg/L
S
mS
mS/10cm
millimhos/10cm
mS/dm

SW-OB-XML User Guide

UNIT DESCRIPTION
Angle, azimuth or coordinates in tens of a degree
Angle, azimuth or coordinates in tenth of a degree
Angle, azimuth or coordinates in tenth of a degree
Angle in second(s) of arc - (1/60) degree
Angle in degree(s)degree(s) - unit of angle equal
to (pi/180)rad
Angle in tens of degrees azimuth
Angle in second(s) of arc - (1/60) minute
Angle in thousandths of a degree
Area in square kilometre(s)
Area in hectare(s)
Area in square metre(s)
Area in acre(s)
Area in square mile(s)
Areal Weight in kilograms per square metre(s)
unit for a calibration coefficient parameter used to
convert a weighing precipitation gauge transducer
value (from a vibrating wire of a specific length) to
precipitation weight per unit area (kg/m 2), which is
equivalent to mm)
unit for a calibration coefficient parameter used to
convert a weighing precipitation gauge transducer
value (from a vibrating wire of a specific length) to
precipitation weight per unit area (kg/m²), which is
equivalent to mm)
Unit is a code value
Unit used to measure density
Unit used to measure density/concentration
Unit used to measure density/concentration
The Siemens (symbol: S) is the SI derived unit of
electric conductance and electric admittance
The Siemens (symbol: S) is the SI derived unit of
electric conductance and electric admittance
Unit used to measure rate of electrical
conductivity over 10 cm
Rate of electrical conductivity in milli-mhos over
10 cm where mhos is a non-SI unit of conductivity
which is equivalent to 1 Siemens
Unit used to measure rate of electrical
conductivity over 10 cm (i.e. a decimeter)

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Electrical/Magnetic

milli-mhos per 10 cm

millimhos/dm

Electrical/Magnetic
Electrical/Magnetic

milliSiemens per cm
volt

mS/cm
V

Electrical/Magnetic
Energy_Flux
Energy_Flux
Energy_Flux

Relative Fluorescence Unit
kilojoule(s) per square metre
joule(s) per square metre
watt(s) per square metre

Energy_Flux
Energy_Flux
Energy_Flux
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Flow/Rate
Frequency
Intensity
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length
Length

RFU
kJ/m²
J/m²
W/m²

watt(s)
microvolt-watt per square metre
megajoule(s) per square metre
cubic metre(s) per second
litre(s) per minute
litre(s) per hour
millilitre(s) per second
millilitre(s) per hour
millimetre(s) per hour
U.S. gallon(s) per hour
Imperial gallon(s) per hour
Imperial gallon(s) per minute
Jackson Turbidity Unit

W
µVW/m²
MJ/m²
m³/s
L/min
L/h
mL/s
mL/h
mm/h
USgal/h
gal/h
gal/min
JTU

hertz(s)
unit is particular m per second
tenths of mile(s)
tenths of millimetre(s)
nanometre(s)
millimetre(s)
centimetre(s)
half metre(s)
metre(s)
hectometre(s)
kilometre(s)
foot or feet
thirties of metres
hundreds of feet
inch(es)
hundredths of inch(es)
(statute) mile(s)
nautical mile(s)
yard(s)
geopotential metre(s)
tenths of millimeter(s)
hectometre(s)

Hz
m²˙³/s
0.1mi
0.1mm
nm
mm
cm
0.5m
m
hm
km
ft
30m
100ft
in
0.01in
mi
n.mi
yd
gpm
mm/10
100m

February 8, 2019

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Rate of electrical conductivity in milli-mhos over
10 cm (i.e. a decimeter) where mhos is a non-SI
unit of conductivity which is equivalent to 1
Siemens
Unit used to measure rate of electrical
conductivity over 1 cm
Electrical/Magnetic in volt(s) - potential difference
Unit used to measure fluorescence of particles in
a fluid
Energy Flux in kilojoule(s) per square metre
Energy Flux in joule(s) per square metre
Energy Flux in watt(s) per square metre
Rate of energy conversion in watt(s), equivalent to
one joule per second
calibration coefficient to convert voltage into W/m2
Energy Flux in megajoule(s) per square metre
Flow/Rate in cubic metre(s) per second
Flow/Rate in litre(s) per minute
Flow/Rate in litre(s) per hour
Flow/Rate in millilitre(s) per second
Flow/Rate in millilitre(s) per hour
Flow/Rate in millimetre(s) per hour
Flow/Rate in U.S. gallon(s) per hour
Flow/Rate in Imperial gallon(s) per hour
Flow/Rate in Imperial gallon(s) per minute
Unit used to measure turbidity in water
Unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles
per second of a periodic phenomenon
Intensity in particular m per second
Length in tenths of a mile(s)
Length in tenths of millimetre(s)
Length in nanometre(s)
Length in millimetre(s)
Length in centimetre(s)
Length in half metre(s)
Length in metre(s)
Length in hectometre(s)
Length in kilometre(s)
Length in feet
Length in thirties of metres
Length in hundreds of feet
Length in inch(es)
Length in hundredths of inch(es)
Length in (statute) mile(s)
Length in nautical mile(s)
Length in yard(s)
Length in Geopotential metre(s)
Length in tenths millimetre(s)
Length in hundreds of metres

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Length
Mass
Mass
Mass
Mass
Mass
Mass
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Percent/Fraction/Index
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress
Pressure/Stress

SW-OB-XML User Guide

decimeter(s)
kilogram(s)
gram(s)
ounce(s)
pound(s)
milligram(s)
kilogram per kilogram
hundredths part(s) per thousand
part(s) per million
hundredths of a percent
percent
part(s) per billion
eighth(s)
tenth(s)
part(s) per thousand
pounds per square inch
atmosphere(s)
hectopascal(s)
centibar(s)
decapascal(s)
inches of mercury
kilopascal(s)
pascal(s)
millimetres of mercury
millibar(s)

dm
kg
g
oz
lb
mg
kg/kg
0.01ppt
ppm
100%
%
ppb
1/8
1/10
ppt
psi
atm
hPa
cbar
daPa
inHg
kPa
Pa
mmHg
mbar

Signal_Strength
Temperature

decibel(s) milliwatt
degree(s) Fahrenheit

dBm
°F

Temperature
Temperature
Temperature
Temperature
Temperature
Time/Date
Time/Date
Time/Date

low precision Kelvin
Kelvin
decidegree(s) Celsius
centidegrees Celsius
degree(s) Celsius
annum (year)
month(s)
day(s)

bufrK
K
d°C
c°C
°C
a
mo
d

Time/Date
Time/Date
Time/Date
Time/Date
Time/Date

date-time
hour(s) and minute(s)
hour(s), minute(s) and second(s)
minute(s)
hour(s)

Time/Date
Time/Date
Time/Date
Time/Date

day of year
second(s)
millisecond(s)
decisecond(s)

February 8, 2019

datetime
hhmm
hhmmss
min
H
doy
S
ms
0.1s

SW-OB-XML User Guide

Length in tenths of metres
Mass in kilogram(s)
Mass in gram(s)
Mass in ounce(s)
Mass in pound(s)
Mass in milligram(s)
Mass in kilogram per kilogram
hundredths part(s) per thousand
Percent/Fraction/Index in part(s) per million
Percent/Fraction/Index in hundredths of a percent
Percent/Fraction/Index in percent
Percent/Fraction/Index in part(s) per billion
Percent/Fraction/Index in eighth(s)
Percent/Fraction/Index in tenth(s)
parts per thousands
Pressure/Stress in pounds per square inch
Pressure/Stress in atmosphere(s)
Pressure/Stress in hectopascal(s)
Pressure/Stress in centibar(s)
Pressure/Stress in tens of pascals
Pressure/Stress in inches of mercury
Pressure/Stress in kilopascal(s)
Pressure/Stress in pascal(s)
Pressure/Stress in millimetres of mercury
Pressure/Stress in millibar(s)
The expression dBm is used to define signal
strength in wires and cables at RF and AF
frequencies. The symbol is an abbreviation for
"decibels relative to one milliwatt" (dBmW)
Temperature in degree(s) Fahrenheit
Temperature in Kelvin decoded from MSC
CodeCon BUFR (precision of 0.1)
Temperature in Kelvin
Temperature in tenth of degree(s) Celsius
hundredths of a degree(s) Celsius
Temperature in degree(s) Celsius
Time/Date in annum (year)
Time/Date in month(s)
Time/Date in day(s)
Time/Date in full ISO 8601 format YYYY-MMDDTHH:MM:SS.000Z
Time/Date in hour(s) and minute(s)
Time/Date in hour(s), minute(s) and second(s)
Time/Date in minute(s)
Time/Date in hour(s)
Time/Date in day of year (also referred to as
Julian day)
Time/Date in second(s)
Time/Date in millisecond(s)
Time/Date in tenths of a second

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Unitless
Velocity
Velocity
Velocity
Velocity
Velocity
Velocity
Velocity
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume
Volume

6.4

SW-OB-XML User Guide

unit is not applicable
knot(s)
mile(s) per hour
kilometre(s) per hour
foot or feet per second
decimetre(s) per second
metre(s) per second
centimetres per second
quart(s)
pint(s)
fluid ounce(s)
U.S. gallon(s)
cubic yard(s)
millilitre(s)
cubic metre(s)
litre(s)
cubic centimetre(s)
Imperial gallon(s)

unitless
kn
mph
km/h
ft/s
dm/s
m/s
cm/s
qt
pt
fl.oz
USgal
yd³
mL
m³
L
cm³
gal

Unit is not applicable
Velocity in knot(s)- nautical mile(s) per hour
Velocity in mile(s) per hour
Velocity in kilometre(s) per hour
Velocity in foot or feet per second
Velocity in decimetre(s) per second
Velocity in metre(s) per second
Velocity in centimetres per second
Volume in quart(s)
Volume in pint(s)
Volume in fluid ounce(s)
Volume in U.S. gallon(s)
Volume in cubic yard(s)
Volume in millilitre(s)
Volume in cubic metre(s)
Volume in litre(s)
Volume in cubic centimetre(s)
Volume in Imperial gallon(s)

Unit Conversions

The table below is an inventory of unit conversions employed in the DMS
ORIGINAL UNIT
0.1mi
0.1mi
0.1mm
0.1mm
0.1s
0.5m
1/10
1/8
100ft
100ft
10°
30m
J/m²
K
MJ/m²
MJ/m²
Pa
Pa
Pa
Pa
bufrK
cbar
cm
cm
daPa

February 8, 2019

MULTIPLIER OFFSET
0.1609344
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.5
10
12.5
1
30
10
30
0.001
1
1000
1000000
0.1
0.01
0.001
0.0002953
1
10
10
0.01
10

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
-273.15
0
0
0
0
0
0
-273.2
0
0
0
0

SW-OB-XML User Guide

TARGET UNIT
km
mi
kg/m²
mm
s
m
%
%
30m
m
°
m
kJ/m²
°C
kJ/m²
J/m²
daPa
hPa
kPa
inHg
°C
hPa
mm
m
Pa

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daPa
da°
dm
dm/s
ds
d°
d°C
d°C
ft
ft
h
hPa
hPa
hPa
hPa
hPa
hm
in
in
inHg
inHg
kPa
kPa
kPa
kg/m²
km
km
km
km/h
km/h
km/h
kn
kn
kn
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m
m/s
m/s
mbar
mbar
mbar
mbar
mbar
mi
February 8, 2019

0.1
10
0.1
0.36
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.1
0.3048
0.0003048
60
100
10
1
0.1
0.02952998
100
2.54
25.4
33.86389
3386.389
10
0.2952998
10
1
1000
0.62137119
0.539957
0.539957
0.277778
0.62137119
1.150779
1.852
0.514444
0.033333
0.03333333
2
100
3.2808399
0.01
0.001
0.000621371
1000
3.6
1.94384
0.02952998
1
0.1
100
10
1.609344

0
0
0
0
0
0
273.15
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

SW-OB-XML User Guide

hPa
°
m
km/h
s
°
K
°C
m
km
min
Pa
daPa
mbar
kPa
inHg
m
cm
mm
hPa
Pa
mbar
inHg
hPa
mm
m
mi
n.mi
kn
m/s
mph
mph
km/h
m/s
100ft
30m
0.5m
cm
ft
hm
km
mi
mm
km/h
kn
inHg
hPa
kPa
Pa
daPa
km
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mi
mi
milli-mhos/10cm
milli-mhos/10cm
mS/cm
mS/dm
ms
s
min
mm
mm
mm
mm/10
mph
mph
m°
n.mi
n.mi
n.mi
s
°
°
°
°C
°C
°C
°F

6.5

0.868976
1609.344
1
1
10
0.1
0.000016667
0.016666667
0.016666667
10
1
0.001
0.1
1.609344
0.44704
0.001
1.852
1.150779
1852
10
0.1
10
10
1
1.8
10
0.55556

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
273.15
32
0
-17.77778

n.mi
m
mS/10cm
mS/dm
mS/dm
mS/cm
min
min
h
0.1mm
kg/m²
m
mm
km/h
m/s
°
km
mi
m
0.1s
da°
d°
0.1°
K
°F
d°C
°C

Standard Code Tables

The tables below provide descriptions of the standard code values for a given code type (i.e. table
name)
6.5.1 buoy_type
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType
buoy_type

CodeValue
0

Unspecified drifting buoy

1

3

Standard Lagrangian drifter (Global Drifter Programme)
Standard FGGE-type drifting buoy (non-Lagrangian meteorological
drifting buoy)
Wind measuring FGGE-type drifting buoy (non-Lagrangian
meteorological drifting buoy)

4

Ice float

5

Reserved

6

Reserved

7

Reserved

8

Unspecified subsurface float

9

SOFAR

2

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February 8, 2019

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10

ALACE

11

MARVOR

12

RAFOS

13

Reserved

14

Reserved

15

Reserved

16

Unspecified moored buoy

17

6-metre Nomad

18

3-metre discus

19

10–12-metre discus

20

ODAS 30 series

21

ATLAS (e.g. TAO area)

22

TRITON

23

Reserved

24

Omnidirectional wave rider

25

Directional wave rider

26

Subsurface ARGO float

27

Reserved

28

Reserved

29

Reserved

30

Reserved

31

Reserved

32

Reserved

33

Reserved

34

Reserved

35

Reserved

36

Reserved

37

Reserved

38

Reserved

39

Reserved

40

Reserved

41

Reserved

42

Reserved

43

Reserved

44

Reserved

45

Reserved

46

Reserved

47

Reserved

48

Reserved

49

Reserved

50

Reserved

51

Reserved

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52

Reserved

53

Reserved

54

Reserved

55

Reserved

56

Reserved

57

Reserved

58

Reserved

59

Reserved

60

Reserved

61

Reserved

62

Reserved

63

Missing value (// in SYNOP & coded 63 in BUFR)

64

1.7-metre WatchKeeper

65

Standard Lagrangian drifting Buoy with barometer

6.5.2 ceiling_type
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType
ceiling_type

CodeValue

CodeDescEng
0

RESERVED

1

Measured by aircraft

2

Measured by balloon

3

Estimated

4

Delimited by precipitation

5

Indefinite

6

Measured

7

ground-base layer delimited by precipitation

8

ground-base layer not delimited by precipitation

6.5.3 data_flags
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType
data_flags

CodeValue
0
1
2

reserved
Value has been reformulated or mathematically derived (ARKEON flag
D)

4

Reported value received as an estimate (ARKEON flag E)
Reported value the result of an adjustment (e.g. precipitation under
catch)
Incomplete - element derivation contains at least one missing value
(ARKEON flag I)

5

Trace. Value is zero (ARKEON flag T)

6

More than one occurrence (ARKEON flag S)
Missing inputs interpolated within completeness constraints (ARKEON
flag E)

3

7

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6.5.4 obscuring_phenomena
CodeSource

CodeType

std_code_src

obscuring_phenomena

CodeValue
0

Altocumulus

1

Altocumulus castellanus

2

Altostratus

3

Cirrocumulus

4
5

Cirrostratus
Cirrus. For the Nav Canada NC-HWOS data set this code is used
for Cirrus and Sky Clear (SKC).

6

Cumulonimbus

7

Cumulus

8

Cumulus fractus

9

Stratus fractus

10

Towering cumulus (aka cumulus congestus)

11

Nimbo stratus

12

Stratocumulus

13

Stratus

14

Missing
Cloud not visible owing to darkness, fog, duststorm, sandstorm, or
other analogous phenomena. For the Nav Canada NC-HWOS
data set this means smoke (i.e. FU, equivalent to code 65).

15
16
17

18
19
20

21

22
23

No CH clouds
Cirrus fibratus, sometimes uncinus, not progressively invading the
sky
Cirrus spissatus, in patches or entangled sheaves, which usually
do not increase and sometimes seem to be the remains of the
upper part of a Cumulonimbus; or Cirrus castellanus or floccus
Cirrus spissatus cumulonimbogenitus
Cirrus uncinus or fibratus, or both, progressively invading the sky;
they generally thicken as a whole
Cirrus (often in bands) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone,
progressively invading the sky; they generally thicken as a whole,
but the continuous veil does not reach 45 degrees above the
horizon
Cirrus (often in bands) and Cirrostratus, or Cirrostratus alone,
progressively invading the sky; they generally thicken as a whole;
the continuous veil extends more than 45 degrees above the
horizon, without the sky being totally covered

26

Cirrostratus covering the whole sky
Cirrostratus not progressively invading the sky and not entirely
covering it
Cirrocumulus alone, or Cirrocumulus predominant among the Ch
cloud
CH clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand,
or other similar phenomena, or because of a continuous layer of
lower clouds

27

No CL clouds

24
25

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30

Cumulus humilis or Cumulus fractus other than of bad weather, or
both. For the Nav Canada NC-HWOS data set this means only
Cumulus fractus (i.e. equivalent to code 8)
Cumulus mediocris or congestus, Towering cumulus (TCU), with
or without Cumulus of species fractus or humilis or Stratocumulus,
all having their bases at the same level. For the Nav Canada NCHWOS data set this means only TCU (i.e. equivalent to code 10).
Cumulonimbus calvus, with or without Cumulus, Stratocumulus or
Stratus

31

Stratocumulus cumulogenitus

32

Stratocumulus other than Stratocumulus cumulogenitus

33

37

Stratus nebulosus or Stratus fractus other than of bad weather
Stratus fractus or Cumulus fractus of bad weather, or both
(pannus), usually below Altostratus or Nimbostratus. For the Nav
Canada NC-HWOS data set this means only Stratus fractus (i.e.
equivalent to code 9)
Cumulus and Stratocumulus other than Stratocumulus
cumulogenitus, with bases at different levels
Cumulonimbus capillatus (often with an anvil), with or without
Cumulonimbus calvus, Cumulus, Stratocumulus, Stratus or
pannus
CL clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand,
or other similar phenomena

38

No CM clouds

39

Altostratus translucidus

40

Altostratus opacus or Nimbostratus

41

Altocumulus translucidus at a single level
Patches (often lenticular) of Altocumulus translucidus, continually
changing and occurring at one or more levels
Altocumulus translucidus in bands, or one or more layers of
Altocumulus translucidus or opacus, progressively invading the
sky; these Altocumulus as a whole clouds generally thicken as a
whole

28

29

34
35

36

42

43
44

45

46
47

February 8, 2019

Altocumulus cumulogenitus (or cumulonimbogenitus)
Altocumulus translucidus or opacus in two or more layers, or
Altocumulus opacus in a single layer, not progressively invading
the sky, or Altocumulus with Altostratus or Nimbostratus
Altocumulus castellanus or floccus. For the Nav Canada NCHWOS data set this means only Altocumulus castellanus (i.e.
equivalent to code 1).

48
49
50
51
52
53

Altocumulus of a chaotic sky, generally at several levels
CM clouds invisible owing to darkness, fog, blowing dust or sand,
or other similar phenomena, or because of continuous layer of
lower clouds
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved
Reserved

54

Rain

55

Hail

56

Ice pellets

57

Drizzle

58

Ice crystals

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59

Snow

60

Blowing snow

61

Fog

62

Dust, blowing dust

63

Haze

64

Sand, blowing sand

65

Smoke

66

Volcanic ash

67

CH

68

CM

69

CL

70

Reserved

71

Reserved

72

Reserved

73

Reserved

74

Reserved

75

Reserved

76

Reserved

77

Reserved

78

Reserved

79

Reserved

80

Reserved

81

Reserved

82

Reserved

83

Reserved

84

Reserved

85

Reserved

6.5.5 operating_agency
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType
operating_agency

CodeValue
0

2

Australia, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
Australia, Joint Australian Facility for Ocean Observing Systems
(JAFOOS)
Australia, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organization (CSIRO)

3

Canada, Marine Environmental Data Service (MEDS)

4

Canada, Institute of Ocean Sciences (IOS)

5

Canada, Environment Canada

6

Canada, Department of National Defence

7

Canada, Nav Canada

8

China, The State Oceanic Administration
China, Second Institute of Oceanography, State Oceanic
Administration

1

9
10

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CodeDescEng

China, Institute of Ocean Technology

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11
12

France, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD)
France, Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la
mer (IFREMER)

13

Germany, Bundesamt fuer Seeschiffahrt und Hydrographie (BSH)

14

Germany, Institut fuer Meereskunde, Kiel

15

India, National Institute of Oceanography (NIO)

16

India, National Institute for Ocean Technology (NIOT)

17

India, National Centre for Ocean Information Service

18

Japan, Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
Japan, Frontier Observational Research System for Global
Change
Japan, Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre
(JAMSTEC)

19
20
21
22
23

Republic of Korea, Seoul National University
Republic of Korea, Korea Ocean Research and Development
Institute (KORDI)

27

Republic of Korea, Meteorological Research Institute
New Caledonia, Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
(IRD)
New Zealand, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric
Research (NIWA)
Russian Federation, State Oceanographic Institute of
Roshydromet
Russian Federation, Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and
Environmental Monitoring

28

Spain, Instituto Español de Oceanografía

29

United Kingdom, Hydrographic Office

30
31

United Kingdom, Southampton Oceanography Centre (SOC)
USA, NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological
Laboratories (AOML)

32

USA, NOAA Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratories (PMEL)

33

USA, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO)

34

USA, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

35

USA, University of Washington

36

USA, Naval Oceanographic Office

24
25
26

6.5.6 precipitation_measurement_method
CodeSource

CodeType

std_code_src

precipitation_measurement_method

February 8, 2019

CodeValue

CodeDescEng

0

Manual measurement

1

Tipping bucket method

2

Weighing method

3

Optical method

4

Pressure method (impact plate - piezoelectric)

5

Float method

6

Drop counter method

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7

Reserved

8

Reserved

9

Reserved

10

Reserved

11

Reserved

12

Reserved

13

Reserved

14

Other

15

Missing

16

Doppler radar

6.5.7 present_weather
CodeSource

CodeType

std_code_src

present_weather

CodeValue
0

1
2
3
4
5
6

7

8
9
10

11

12
13
14

15
16

February 8, 2019

CodeDescEng
Manned Observation: Cloud development not observed or not
observable
Manned Observation: Clouds generally dissolving or becoming less
developed. (Characteristic change of the state of sky during the past
hour)
Manned Observation: State of sky on the whole unchanged.
(Characteristic change of the state of sky during the past hour)
Manned Observation: Clouds generally forming or developing.
(Characteristic change of the state of sky during the past hour)
Manned Observation: Visibility reduced by smoke, e.g. veldt or forest
fires, industrial smoke or volcanic ashes
Manned Observation: Haze
Manned Observation: Widespread dust in suspension in the air, not
raised by wind at or near the station at the time of observation
Manned Observation: Dust or sand raised by wind at or near the
station at the time of observation, but no well-developed dust whirl(s)
or sand whirl(s), and no duststorm or sandstorm seen; or, in the case
of sea stations and coastal stations, blowing spray at the station
Manned Observation: Well-developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s)
seen at or near the station during the preceding hour or at the time of
observation, but no duststorm or sandstorm.
Manned Observation: Duststorm or sandstorm within sight at the time
of observation, or at the station during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Mist
Manned Observation: Shallow fog or ice fog patches at the station,
whether on land or sea, not deeper than about 2 metres on land or 10
metres at sea
Manned Observation: Shallow fog or ice fog, more or less continuous,
at the station, whether on land or sea, not deeper than about 2 metres
on land or 10 metres at sea
Manned Observation: Lightning visible, no thunder heard
Manned Observation: Precipitation within sight, not reaching the
ground or the surface of the sea
Manned Observation: Precipitation within sight, reaching the ground or
the surface of the sea, but distant, i.e. estimated to be more than 5 km
from the station
Manned Observation: Precipitation within sight, reaching the ground or
the surface of the sea, near to, but not at the station

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Manned Observation: Thunderstorm, but no precipitation at the time of
observation
Manned Observation: Squalls (at or within sight of the station during
the preceding hour or at the time of observation)
Manned Observation: Funnel cloud(s) [Tornado cloud or water-spout]
(at or within sight of the station during the preceding hour or at the
time of observation)
Manned Observation: Drizzle (not freezing) or snow grains (not falling
as shower(s))

21

Manned Observation: Rain (not freezing) (not falling as shower(s))

22

24

Manned Observation: Snow (not falling as shower(s))
Manned Observation: Rain and snow or ice pellets (not falling as
shower(s))
Manned Observation: Freezing drizzle or freezing rain (not falling as
shower(s))

25

Manned Observation: Shower(s) of rain

26
27

Manned Observation: Shower(s) of snow, or of rain and snow
Manned Observation: Shower(s) of hail [hail, small hail, snow pellets],
or of rain and hail [hail, small hail, snow pellets]

28

Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog

29

Manned Observation: Thunderstorm (with or without precipitation)
Manned Observation: Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm has
decreased during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm - no
appreciable change during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm has
begun or has increased during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Severe duststorm or sandstorm has decreased
during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Severe duststorm or sandstorm - no appreciable
change during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Severe duststorm or sandstorm has begun or
has increased during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Slight or moderate drifting snow - generally low
(below eye level)
Manned Observation: Heavy drifting snow - generally low (below eye
level)
Manned Observation: Slight or moderate blowing snow - generally
high (above eye level)
Manned Observation: Heavy blowing snow - generally high (above eye
level)
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog at a distance at the time of
observation, but not at the station during the preceding hour, the fog or
ice fog extending to a level above that of the observer

17
18

19

23

30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39

40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47

February 8, 2019

Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog in patches
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog, sky visible - has become thinner
during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible - has become
thinner during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog, sky visible - no appreciable
change during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible - no appreciable
change during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog, sky visible - has begun or has
become thicker during the preceding hour
Manned Observation: Fog or ice fog, sky invisible - has begun or has
become thicker during the preceding hour

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Manned Observation: Fog, depositing rime, sky visible

49

Manned Observation: Fog, depositing rime, sky invisible

50

Manned Observation: Very light drizzle

51

Manned Observation: Light drizzle (not freezing, continuous)

52

Manned Observation: Moderate drizzle (not freezing, continuous)

53

Manned Observation: Heavy drizzle (not freezing, continuous)

54

Manned Observation: Light drizzle (not freezing, intermittent)

55

Manned Observation: Moderate drizzle (not freezing, intermittent)

56

Manned Observation: Heavy drizzle (not freezing, intermittent)

57

Manned Observation: Very light freezing drizzle

58

Manned Observation: Light freezing drizzle

59

Manned Observation: Moderate freezing drizzle

60

Manned Observation: Heavy freezing drizzle

61

Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy freezing drizzle

62

Manned Observation: Light drizzle and rain

63

Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy drizzle and rain

64

Manned Observation: Very light rain

65

Manned Observation: Light rain (not freezing, continuous)

66

Manned Observation: Moderate rain (not freezing, continuous)

67

Manned Observation: Heavy rain (not freezing, continuous)

68

Manned Observation: Light rain (not freezing, intermittent)

69

Manned Observation: Moderate rain (not freezing, intermittent)

70

Manned Observation: Heavy rain (not freezing, intermittent)

71

Manned Observation: Very light freezing rain

72

Manned Observation: Light freezing rain

73

Manned Observation: Moderate freezing rain

74

Manned Observation: Heavy freezing rain

75

Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy freezing rain

76

Manned Observation: Rain or drizzle and snow, slight

77

Manned Observation: Rain or drizzle and snow, moderate or heavy

78

Manned Observation: Very light snow

79

Manned Observation: Light snow (continuous)

80

Manned Observation: Moderate snow (continuous)

81

Manned Observation: Heavy snow (continuous)

82

Manned Observation: Light snow (intermittent)

83

Manned Observation: Moderate snow (intermittent)

84

Manned Observation: Heavy snow (intermittent)

85

Manned Observation: Ice crystals

86

Manned Observation: Snow grains (with or without fog)

87

Manned Observation: Very light snow grains

88

Manned Observation: Light snow grains

89

Manned Observation: Moderate snow grains

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91

Manned Observation: Heavy snow grains
Manned Observation: Isolated star-like snow crystals (with or without
fog)

92

Manned Observation: Ice pellets

93

Manned Observation: Very light ice pellets

94

Manned Observation: Light ice pellets

95

Manned Observation: Moderate ice pellets

96

Manned Observation: Heavy ice pellets

97

Manned Observation: Very light rain showers

98

Manned Observation: Light rain showers

99

Manned Observation: Moderate rain showers

100

Manned Observation: Heavy rain showers

101

Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy rain showers

102
103

Manned Observation: Light showers of rain and snow mixed
Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy showers of rain and snow
mixed

104

Manned Observation: Very light snow showers

105

Manned Observation: Light snow showers

106

Manned Observation: Moderate snow showers

107

Manned Observation: Heavy snow showers

108

Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy snow showers
Manned Observation: Light showers of snow pellets or small hail, with
or without rain or rain and snow mixed
Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy showers of snow pellets or
small hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed

109
110
111
112

Manned Observation: Very light hail
Manned Observation: Light showers of hail, with or without rain or rain
and snow mixed, not associated with thunder

113

Manned Observation: Moderate hail

114

Manned Observation: Heavy hail
Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy showers of hail, with or
without rain or rain and snow mixed, not associated with thunder
Manned Observation: Light rain at time of observation - Thunderstorm
during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy rain at time of observation Thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
Manned Observation: Light snow, or rain and snow mixed or hail [hail,
small hail, snow pellets] at time of observation - Thunderstorm during
the preceding hour but not at time of observation
Manned Observation: Moderate or heavy snow, or rain and snow
mixed or hail [hail, small hail, snow pellets] at time of observation Thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
Manned Observation: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate, without hail
[hail, small hail, snow pellets], but with rain and/or snow at time of
observation - Thunderstorm at time of observation
Manned Observation: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate, with hail [hail,
small hail, snow pellets] at time of observation - Thunderstorm at time
of observation
Manned Observation: Thunderstorm, heavy, without hail [hail, small
hail, snow pellets], but with rain and/or snow at time of observation Thunderstorm at time of observation

115
116
117

118

119

120

121

122

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Manned Observation: Thunderstorm combined with duststorm or
sandstorm at time of observation - Thunderstorm at time of
observation
Manned Observation: Thunderstorm, heavy, with hail [hail, small hail,
snow pellets] at time of observation - Thunderstorm at time of
observation

125

Manned Observation: No present or recent weather

126

Manned Observation: Slight or moderate blowing dust

127

Manned Observation: Heavy blowing dust

128

Manned Observation: Slight or moderate blowing snow

129

Manned Observation: Slight or moderate blowing sand

130

Manned Observation: Heavy blowing sand

131

Manned Observation: Drifting sand

132

Manned Observation: Drifting snow

133

Manned Observation: Drifting dust

134

Manned Observation: Funnel cloud(s)

135

Manned Observation: Tornado

136

Manned Observation: Waterspout

137

Manned Observation: Tornado or waterspout

138
139

Manned Observation: Fog (prevailing visibility < 5/8 miles)
Manned Observation: Freezing fog (prevailing visibility < 5/8 miles,
temperatures < 0 °C and ≥ -30 °C)

140

Manned Observation: Shallow Fog

141

Manned Observation: Ice Fog

142

Manned Observation: Patchy fog

143

Manned Observation: Fog covering part of the aerodrome

144

Manned Observation: Smoke

145

Manned Observation: Thunderstorm

146

151

Manned Observation: Heavy Thunderstorm
Manned Observation: Well-developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s),
but no duststorm or sandstorm
Manned Observation: Very light snow pellet showers, or small hail (i.e.
diameter of largest stone < 5mm)
Manned Observation: Light snow pellet showers, or small hail (i.e.
diameter of largest stone < 5mm)
Manned Observation: Moderate snow pellet showers, or small hail (i.e.
diameter of largest stone < 5mm)
Manned Observation: Heavy snow pellet showers, or small hail (i.e.
diameter of largest stone < 5mm)

152

Manned Observation: Very light ice pellet showers

153

Manned Observation: Light ice pellet showers

154

Manned Observation: Moderate ice pellet showers

155

Manned Observation: Heavy ice pellet showers

156

Manned Observation: Slight or moderate sandstorm

157

Manned Observation: Severe sandstorm

158

Manned Observation: Slight or moderate duststorm

159

Manned Observation: Severe duststorm

123

147
148
149
150

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160

Manned Observation: Volcanic ash

161

Manned Observation: Blowing dust in the vicinity

162

Manned Observation: Blowing sand in the vicinity

163

Manned Observation: Blowing snow in the vicinity

164

Manned Observation: Duststorm in the vicinity

165

Manned Observation: Fog in the vicinity

166

Manned Observation: Dust/sand whirls in the vicinity

167

Manned Observation: Showers in the vicinity

168

Manned Observation: Sandstorm in the vicinity

169

Manned Observation: Volcanic ash in the vicinity

170

Manned Observation: Funnel cloud in the vicinity

171

Manned Observation: Recent blowing snow

172

Manned Observation: Recent duststorm

173

Manned Observation: Recent Funnel Cloud, Tornado, Waterspout

174

Manned Observation: Recent freezing drizzle

175

Manned Observation: Recent freezing rain

176

Manned Observation: Recent hail

177

Manned Observation: Recent snow pellets

178

Manned Observation: Recent ice pellets

179

Manned Observation: Recent sandstorm

180

Manned Observation: Recent volanic ash

181

Manned Observation: Recent drizzle

182

Manned Observation: Recent snow

183

Manned Observation: Recent rain

184

Manned Observation: Recent thunderstorm

185

RESERVED

186

RESERVED

187

RESERVED

188

RESERVED

189

RESERVED

190

RESERVED

191

RESERVED

192

RESERVED

193

RESERVED

194

RESERVED

195

RESERVED

196

RESERVED

197

RESERVED

198

RESERVED

199

RESERVED

200

RESERVED

201

RESERVED

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202

RESERVED

203

RESERVED

204

RESERVED

205

RESERVED

206

RESERVED

207

RESERVED

208

RESERVED

209

RESERVED

210

RESERVED

300

305

Automated Station Observation: No significant weather observed
Automated Station Observation: Clouds generally dissolving or
becoming less developed during the past hour
Automated Station Observation: State of sky on the whole unchanged
during the past hour
Automated Station Observation: Clouds generally forming or
developing during the past hour
Automated Station Observation: Haze or smoke, or dust in suspension
in the air, visibility equal to or greater than 1 km
Automated Station Observation: Haze or smoke, or dust in suspension
in the air, visibility less than 1 km

306

RESERVED

307

RESERVED

308

RESERVED

309

RESERVED

310

Automated Station Observation: Mist

311

Automated Station Observation: Diamond dust

312

Automated Station Observation: Distant lightning

313

RESERVED

314

RESERVED

315

RESERVED

316

RESERVED

317

RESERVED

318

Automated Station Observation: Squalls

319

RESERVED

320
321

Automated Station Observation: Fog
Automated Station Observation: PRECIPITATION at the station during
the preceding hour but not at the time of observation

322

Automated Station Observation: Drizzle (not freezing) or snow grains

323

Automated Station Observation: Rain (not freezing)

324

Automated Station Observation: Snow

325

Automated Station Observation: Freezing drizzle or freezing rain
Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm (with or without
precipitation)
Automated Station Observation: BLOWING OR DRIFTING SNOW OR
SAND
Automated Station Observation: Blowing or drifting snow or sand,
visibility equal to or greater than 1 km

301
302
303
304

326
327
328

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329

Automated Station Observation: Blowing or drifting snow or sand,
visibility less than 1 km

330

Automated Station Observation: FOG

331

335

Automated Station Observation: Fog or ice fog in patches
Automated Station Observation: Fog or ice fog, has become thinner
during the past hour
Automated Station Observation: Fog or ice fog, no appreciable change
during the past hour
Automated Station Observation: Fog or ice fog, has begun or has
become thicker during the past hour
Automated Station Observation: Fog, depositing rime. Freezing Fog
for Nav Canada stations

336

RESERVED

337

RESERVED

338

RESERVED

339

RESERVED

340

Automated Station Observation: PRECIPITATION

341

Automated Station Observation: Light or moderate precipitation

342

Automated Station Observation: Heavy precipitation

343

Automated Station Observation: Light or moderate liquid precipitation

344

Automated Station Observation: Heavy liquid precipitation

345

Automated Station Observation: Light or moderate solid precipitation

346
347

Automated Station Observation: Heavy solid precipitation
Automated Station Observation: Light or moderate freezing
precipitation

348

Automated Station Observation: Heavy freezing precipitation

349

RESERVED

350

Automated Station Observation: DRIZZLE

351

Automated Station Observation: Very light drizzle

352

Automated Station Observation: Light drizzle (not freezing)

353

Automated Station Observation: Moderate drizzle (not freezing)

354

Automated Station Observation: Heavy drizzle (not freezing)

355

Automated Station Observation: Very light freezing drizzle

356

Automated Station Observation: Light freezing drizzle

357

Automated Station Observation: Moderate freezing drizzle

358

Automated Station Observation: Heavy freezing drizzle

359

Automated Station Observation: Light drizzle and rain

360

Automated Station Observation: Moderate or heavy drizzle and rain

361

RESERVED

362

Automated Station Observation: RAIN

363

Automated Station Observation: Very light rain

364

Automated Station Observation: Light rain (not freezing)

365

Automated Station Observation: Moderate rain (not freezing)

366

Automated Station Observation: Heavy rain (not freezing)

367

Automated Station Observation: Very light freezing rain

332
333
334

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368

Automated Station Observation: Light freezing rain

369

Automated Station Observation: Moderate freezing rain

370

Automated Station Observation: Heavy freezing rain

371
372

Automated Station Observation: Light rain (or drizzle) and snow
Automated Station Observation: Moderate or heavy rain (or drizzle)
and snow

373

RESERVED

374

Automated Station Observation: SNOW

375

Automated Station Observation: Very light snow

376

Automated Station Observation: Light snow

377

Automated Station Observation: Moderate snow

378

Automated Station Observation: Heavy snow

379

Automated Station Observation: Light ice pellets

380

Automated Station Observation: Moderate ice pellets

381

Automated Station Observation: Heavy ice pellets

382

Automated Station Observation: Snow grains

383

Automated Station Observation: Ice crystals

384

392

RESERVED
Automated Station Observation: SHOWERS or INTERMITTENT
PRECIPITATION
Automated Station Observation: Light rain showers or light intermittent
rain
Automated Station Observation: Moderate rain showers or moderate
intermittent rain
Automated Station Observation: Heavy rain showers or heavy
intermittent rain
Automated Station Observation: Violent rain showers or violent
intermittent rain
Automated Station Observation: Light snow showers or light
intermittent snow
Automated Station Observation: Moderate snow showers or moderate
intermittent snow
Automated Station Observation: Heavy snow showers or heavy
intermittent snow

393

RESERVED

394

Automated Station Observation: Hail

395

Automated Station Observation: Very light hail

396

Automated Station Observation: Light hail

397

Automated Station Observation: Moderate hail

398

Automated Station Observation: Heavy hail

399

Automated Station Observation: THUNDERSTORM
Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate with
no precipitation
Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate,
with rain showers and/or snow showers
Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm, slight or moderate,
with hail
Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm, heavy, with no
precipitation

385
386
387
388
389
390
391

400
401
402
403

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404

Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm, heavy, with rain
showers and/or snow showers

405

Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm, heavy, with hail

406

RESERVED

407

RESERVED

408

Automated Station Observation: Tornado

409

Automated Station Observation: No precipitation

410

Automated Station Observation: Very light unclassified precipitation

411

Automated Station Observation: Light unclassified precipitation

412

Automated Station Observation: Moderate unclassified precipitation

413
414

Automated Station Observation: Heavy unclassified precipitation
Automated Station Observation: Error in present weather
determination, none could be reported

415

Automated Station Observation: Light frozen precipitation

416

Automated Station Observation: Moderate frozen precipitation

417

Automated Station Observation: Heavy frozen precipitation

418

Automated Station Observation: Other

500

Not used

501

Not used

502

Not used

503

Not used
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Volcanic ash suspended
In the air aloft

504
505
506
507
508

February 8, 2019

Not used
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Thick dust haze, visibility
less than 1 km
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Blowing spray at the
station

509

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drifting dust (sand)
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Wall of dust or sand in
distance (like haboob)

510

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow haze

511

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Whiteout

512

Not used

513

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Lightning, cloud to surface

514

Not used

515

Not used

516

Not used

517

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Dry thunderstorm

518

519

Not used
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Tornado cloud
(destructive) at or within sight of the station during preceding hour or at
the time of observation

520

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of volcanic ash

521

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of dust or sand

522

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of dew

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523

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of wet snow

524

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of soft rime

525

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of hard rime

526

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of hoarfrost

527

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of glaze
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Deposition of ice crust (ice
slick)

528
529
530

Not used
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Duststorm or sandstorm
with temperature below 0 degrees C

531

Not used

532

Not used

533

Not used

534

Not used

535

Not used

536

Not used

537

Not used

538
539

Not used
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Blowing snow, impossible
to determine whether snow is falling or not

540

Not used

541

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Fog on sea

542

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Fog in valleys
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Arctic or Antarctic sea
smoke
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Steam fog (sea, lake or
river)

543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557

February 8, 2019

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Steam fog (land)
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Fog over ice or snow
cover
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Dense fog, visibility 60-90
m
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Dense fog, visibility 30-60
m
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Dense fog, visibility less
than 30 m
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall less
than 0.10 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 0.100.19 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 0.200.39 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 0.400.79 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 0.801.59 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 1.603.19 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 3.206.39 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle, rate of fall 6.4
mm/h or more

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558

Not used

559

567

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Drizzle and snow
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall less than
1.0 mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 1.- 1.9
mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 2.- 3.9
mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 4.- 7.9
mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 8.-15.9
mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 16.0-31.9
mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 32.0-63.9
mm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Rain, rate of fall 64.0
mm/h or more

568

Not used

569

Not used
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall less than
1.0 cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 1.0-1.9
cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 2.0-3.9
cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 4.0-7.9
cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 8.0-15.9
cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 16.031.9 cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 32.063.9 cm/h
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow, rate of fall 64.0
cm/h or more
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Snow or Ice crystal
precipitation from a clear sky
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Wet snow, freezing on
contact

560
561
562
563
564
565
566

570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589

February 8, 2019

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of rain
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of rain,
freezing
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of rain and
snow mixed.
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of snow
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of snow
pellets or small hall
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of snow
pellets or small hail, with rain
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of snow
pellets or small hail, with rain and snow mixed
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of snow
pellets or small hail, with snow
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of hail
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of hail, with
rain

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594

Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of hall, with
rain and snow mixed
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Precipitation of hail, with
snow
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Shower(s) or
thunderstorm over sea
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Shower(s) or
thunderstorm over mountains
Not used

595

Not used

596

Not used

597

Not used

598

Not used

599

Not used

600

Reserved

601

Reserved

602

Reserved

603

Reserved

604

Reserved

605

Reserved

606

Reserved

607

Reserved

608

Reserved

609

Reserved

610

Reserved

611

Reserved

612

Reserved

613

Reserved

614

Reserved

615

Reserved

616

Reserved

617

Reserved

618

Reserved

619

Reserved

620

Reserved

621

Reserved

622

Reserved

623

Reserved

624

Reserved

625

Reserved

626

Reserved

627

Reserved

628

Reserved

629

Reserved

630

Reserved

631

Reserved

590
591
592
593

February 8, 2019

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632

Reserved

633

Reserved

634

Reserved

635

Reserved

636

Reserved

637

Reserved

638

Reserved

639

Reserved

640

Reserved

641

Reserved

642

Reserved

643

Reserved

644

Reserved

645

Reserved

646

Reserved

647

Reserved

648

Reserved

649

Reserved

650

Reserved

651

Reserved

652

Reserved

653

Reserved

654

Reserved

655

Reserved

656

Reserved

657

Reserved

658

Reserved

659

Reserved

660

Reserved

661

Reserved

662

Reserved

663

Reserved

664

Reserved

665

Reserved

666

Reserved

667

Reserved

668

Reserved

669

Reserved

670

Reserved

671

Reserved

672

Reserved

673

Reserved

674

Reserved

675

Reserved

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676

Reserved

677

Reserved

678

Reserved

679

Reserved

680

Reserved

681

Reserved

682

Reserved

683

Reserved

684

Reserved

685

Reserved

686

Reserved

687

Reserved

688

Reserved

689

Reserved

690

Reserved

691

Reserved

692

Reserved

693

Reserved

694

Reserved

695

Reserved

696

Reserved

697

Reserved

698

Reserved

699

Reserved

700

Reserved

701

Reserved

702

Reserved

703

Reserved

704

Reserved

705

Reserved

706

Reserved

707

Reserved

708

Reserved

709

Reserved

710

Reserved

711

Reserved

712

Reserved

713

Reserved

714

Reserved

715

Reserved

716

Reserved

717

Reserved

718

Reserved

719

Reserved

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720

Reserved

721

Reserved

722

Reserved

723

Reserved

724

Reserved

725

Reserved

726

Reserved

727

Reserved

728

Reserved

729

Reserved

730

Reserved

731

Reserved

732

Reserved

733

Reserved

734

Reserved

735

Reserved

736

Reserved

737

Reserved

738

Reserved

739

Reserved

740

Reserved

741

Reserved

742

Reserved

743

Reserved

744

Reserved

745

Reserved

746

Reserved

747

Reserved

748

Reserved

749

Reserved

750

Reserved

751

Reserved

752

Reserved

753

Reserved

754

Reserved

755

Reserved

756

Reserved

757

Reserved

758

Reserved

759

Reserved

760

Reserved

761

Reserved

762

Reserved

763

Reserved

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764

Reserved

765

Reserved

766

Reserved

767

Reserved

768

Reserved

769

Reserved

770

Reserved

771

Reserved

772

Reserved

773

Reserved

774

Reserved

775

Reserved

776

Reserved

777

Reserved

778

Reserved

779

Reserved

780

Reserved

781

Reserved

782

Reserved

783

Reserved

784

Reserved

785

Reserved

786

Reserved

787

Reserved

788

Reserved

789

Reserved

790

Reserved

791

Reserved

792

Reserved

793

Reserved

794

Reserved

795

Reserved

796

Reserved

797

Reserved

798

Reserved

799

Reserved

800

Reserved

801

Reserved

802

Reserved

803

Reserved

804

Reserved

805

Reserved

806

Reserved

807

Reserved

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810

Manned or Automated Station Observation: No significant
phenomenon to report, present and past weather omitted
Manned or Automated Station Observation: No observation, data not
available, present and past weather omitted
Manned or Automated Station Observation: Present and past weather
missing, but expected

811

Missing value

812

Automated Station Observation: Rain, hail detected

813

Automated Station Observation: Snow, rain detected

814

Automated Station Observation: Snow, hail detected

815

Automated Station Observation: Snow, rain, hail detected

816

823

Automated Station Observation: Unclassified precipitation detected
Automated Station Observation: Rain, unclassified precipitation
detected
Automated Station Observation: Hail, unclassified precipitation
detected
Automated Station Observation: Rain, hail, unclassified precipitation
detected
Automated Station Observation: Snow, unclassified precipitation
detected
Automated Station Observation: Snow, rain, unclassified precipitation
detected
Automated Station Observation: Snow, hail, unclassified precipitation
detected
Automated Station Observation: Snow, hail, rain, unclassified
precipitation detected

824

Automated Station Observation: Light snow grains

825

Automated Station Observation: Moderate snow grains

826

Automated Station Observation: Heavy snow grains

827

Automated Station Observation: Snow pellets

828

Automated Station Observation: Thunderstorm in vicinity

829

Automated Station Observation: Sand

830

Automated Station Observation: Dust

831

Automated Station Observation: Haze

832

Automated Station Observation: Smoke

833

Automated Station Observation: Volcanic ash

834

Automated Station Observation: Blowing snow

835

838

Automated Station Observation: Blowing sand
Automated Station Observation: Light unclassified freezing
precipitation
Automated Station Observation: Moderate unclassified freezing
precipitation
Automated Station Observation: Heavy unclassified freezing
precipitation

839

Automated Station Observation: No precipitation detected

808
809

817
818
819
820
821
822

836
837

6.5.8 rapid_pressure_change
CodeSource

CodeType

std_code_src

rapid_pressure_change

February 8, 2019

CodeValue
0

CodeDescEng
not occurring

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1

Pressure rising rapidly

2

Pressure falling rapidly

3

missing

6.5.9 report_type
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType
report_type

February 8, 2019

CodeValue

CodeDescEng

0

hourly regular report (SA)

1

hourly special report (SP)

2

hourly regular special report (RS)

3

SA and SM reports

4

SA and CS reports

5

SA, CS and SM reports

6

SA and SX reports

7

SP and SX reports

8

CS and SX reports

9

SA, SX and SM reports

10

SA, SX, SM and CS reports

11

reserved

12

reserved

13

reserved

14

reserved

15

missing

16
17

reserved

18

SA + SM

19

CS Reports

20

SA + CS

21

SM + CS

22

SA + SM + CS

23

SX (Soil) Reports

24

SA + SX (Soil)

25

SM + SX (Soil)

26

SA + SM + SX(Soil)

27

CS + SX (Soil)

28

SA + CS + SX(Soil)

29

SM + CS + SX (Soil)

30

SA + SM + CS + SX (Soil)

31

SX (UV) Reports

32

SA + SX(UV)

33

SM + SX (UV)

34

SA + SM + SX(UV)

SM (Synoptic) Reports, e.g. FM-12 LAND SYNOP (6 hr)

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35

CS + SX (UV)

36

SA + CS + SX (UV)

37

SM + CS + SX (UV)

38

SA + SM + CS + SX(UV)

39

SX(Soil + UV)
SA + SX(Soil + UV)

40
41

SA + SM + SX(Soil + UV)

43

CS + SX (Soil + UV)

44

SA + CS + SX (Soil + UV)

45

SM + CS + SX (Soil + UV)

46

SA + SM + CS + SX (Soil + UV)

47

SX (Unofficial) Reports

48

SA + SX (Unoff)

49

SM + SX(Unoff)

50

SA + SM + SX(Unoff)

51

CS + SX(Unoff)

52

SA + CS + SX (Unoff)

53

SM + CS + SX(Unoff)

54

SA + SM + CS + SX(Unoff)

55

SX(Soil + Unoff)

56

SA + SX( Soil + Unoff)

57

SM + SX(Soil + Unoff)

58

SA + SM + SX(Soil + Unoff)
CS + SX(Soil + Unoff)

59
60

SA + CS + SX(Soil + Unoff)

61

SM + CS + SX(Soil + Unoff)

62

SA + SM + CS + SX(Soil + Unoff)

63

SX(UV + Unoff)

64

SA + SX(UV + Unoff)
SM + SX(UV + Unoff)

65
66

February 8, 2019

SM + SX(Soil + UV)

42

SA + SM + SX(UV + Unoff)

67

CS + SX(UV + Unoff)

68

SA + CS + SX (UV + Unoff)

69

SM + CS + SX(UV + Unoff)

70

SA + SM + CS + SX (UV + Unoff)

71

SX(Soil + UV + Unoff)

72

SA + SX ( Soil + UV + Unoff)

73

SM + SX (Soil + UV + Unoff)

74

SA + SM + SX(Soil + UV + Unoff)

75

CS + SX (Soil + UV + Unoff)

76

SA + CS + SX( Soil + UV + Unoff)

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SM + CS + SX(Soil + UV + Unoff)

78

SA + SM + CS + SX(Soil + UV + Unoff)
Reserved

79
80

FM-13 SHIP SYNOP

81

DRIBU, DRIFTER, Ship

82

Great Lakes obs
FM-18 BUOY SYNOP

83
84
85

FM-14 MOBIL SYNOP
Quebec Co-op Partner data. Hourly report with optional multi-hour
data (e.g. 6, 12, 24 hour intervals).

86

Correction to a previously issued product (COR)

87

Amendment to a previously issued product (AMD)

88

Correction to a previously issued amended product (COR AMD)

89

Cancellation of a previously issued product (CNL)

90

No product available (NIL)

91

Corrected special report (SPECI COR)

92

Reserved

93

Reserved

94

Reserved

95

Reserved

96

Reserved

97

Reserved

98

Reserved

99
100

Minutely message other than SPECI and METAR
Any message type other than 1) a regular hourly message, 2) SPECI
or 3) minutely messages other than SPECI and METAR

101

Report for storm (wind) conditions encountered at sea

102

Regular report (taken at 06:00 and 18:00 PST)

103

Hourly regular report from an LWIS station

104

Supplementary Aviation Weather Report

105

Moored buoy report - Cell GPRS meteorological data

106

Moored buoy report - Cell GPRS housekeeping data

107
108

Moored buoy report - Cell Wave Data
Moored buoy report - Iridium Combined MET/WAVE/Housekeeping
Data

109

Moored buoy report - Iridium meteorological data

110

Moored buoy report - Iridium housekeeping data

111

Moored buoy report - Iridium Wave Data

6.5.10 sky_condition
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType

CodeValue

sky_condition

0

February 8, 2019

CodeDescEng
Clear (CLR) - The sky condition when no cloud or obscuring
phenomena are present

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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10

February 8, 2019

Thin scattered (-SCT)
Scattered (SCT) - a layer aloft with a summation opacity of 4/10 to
5/10 (amount of 3/8 - 4/8 in METAR), inclusive
Thin broken (-BKN)
Broken (BKN) - a layer aloft with a summation opacity of 6/10 - 9/10
(amount of 5/8 - 7/8 in METAR), inclusive
Thin overcast (-OVC)
Overcast (OVC) - a layer aloft with a summation amount of 10/10
(amount of 8/8 in METAR)
Obscured (X) - a surface-based layer with summation opacity of
10/10
Partially obscured (-X) - a surface-based layer with summation
opacity of at least 1/10 but less than 10/10
Thin few (-FEW)
Few (FEW) - a layer aloft with a summation opacity of 1/10 to 3/10
(amount of 1/8 - 2/8 in METAR)

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6.5.11 station_type
CodeSource
std_code_src

CodeType
station_type

CodeValue
0

AUTO 1 (MARS I)

1

AUTO 2 (MARS II)

2

AUTO 3 (MAPS I)

3

AUTO 4 (MAPS II)

4

AUTO 5 - MSC Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS)

5

7

AUTO 6 (Hurricane)
AUTO 7 - Campbell Scientific data logger automatic weather station
(Partner, non-MSC)
AUTO 8 - Campbell Scientific data logger automatic weather station
(MSC owned & operated)

8

AUTO 9

9

Generic AUTO station

6

10

Limited Weather Information System (LWIS)—MSC or NavCan

11

Nav Canada Human Weather Observing System (NC-HWOS)

12
13

Nav Canada Automatic Weather Observing System (NC-AWOS)
SAWR (Supplementary Aviation Weather Report—Manned); MSC or
NavCan

14

IHR (WinIDE - Manned hourly observations)

15

MIDS (WinIDE-type interface for Manned hourly observations)

16

Generic manual/manned station

17

Generic hybrid: both Manned and Automatic

18

Missing Value

19

A station that reports temperature and precipitation

20

A station that reports temperature only

21

A station that reports precipitation only
A station that reports precipitation twice in a day: once in the morning
and once in the evening

22
23

28

A station that reports precipitation once a day in the evening
A station that reports temperature and precipitation once a day in the
morning
A station that reports temperature and precipitation once a day in the
evening
A station that reports temperature and precipitation twice a day in the
morning and evening
A station that reports temperature once a day in the morning, and
reports precipitation twice a day in the morning and evening
A station that reports temperature once a day in the evening, and
reports precipitation twice a day in the morning and evening

29

A station that reports precipitation once a day in the morning

30

Quebec stations which observe precipitation 1-5 times a day

24
25
26
27

February 8, 2019

CodeDescEng

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6.5.12 tendency_characteristic
CodeSource

CodeType

CodeValue

std_code_src

tendency_characteristic

0

CodeDescEng
Increasing, then decreasing; atmospheric pressure the same or higher
than three hours ago

1

Increasing, then steady; or increasing, then increasing more slowly

2

Increasing (steadily or unsteadily)
Decreasing or steady, then increasing; or increasing, then increasing
more rapidly

3
4
5

Steady; atmospheric pressure the same as three hours ago
Decreasing, then increasing; atmospheric pressure the same or lower
than three hours ago

6

Decreasing, then steady; or decreasing, then decreasing more slowly

7
8

Decreasing (steadily or unsteadily)
Steady or increasing, then decreasing; or decreasing, then decreasing
more rapidly

9

Reserved

10

Reserved

11

Reserved

12

Reserved

13

Reserved

14

Reserved

15

Missing value

6.5.13 total_cloud_amount
CodeSource

CodeType

std_code_src

total_cloud_amount

CodeValue
0

Sky clear (cloud amount of 0 octas or 0/10) - Manned or Auto station

1

FEW - cloud amount of 1 to 2 octas (1/10 to 3/10)
Scattered (SCT) - cloud amount of 3 to 4 octas (cloud coverage of ≤49%
for MSC AWOS observations)
Broken (BKN) - cloud amount of 5 to 7 octas (cloud coverage of 50% to
89% for MSC AWOS observations)
Overcast (OVC) - cloud amount of 8 octas (cloud coverage of ≥90% for
MSC AWOS observations)

2
3
4
5
6

Reserved
Scattered/broken (Many forecasts use scattered/broken or
broken/overcast

7

Broken/overcast followed by cloud type(s))

8

Isolated (Used on aviation charts to describe the cloud type Cb)
Isolated embedded (Used on aviation charts to describe the cloud type
Cb)

9
10
11
12
13

February 8, 2019

CodeDescEng

Occasional (Used on aviation charts to describe the cloud type Cb)
Occasional embedded (Used on aviation charts to describe the cloud
type Cb)
Frequent (Used on aviation charts to describe the cloud type Cb)
Dense (Used on aviation charts to describe cloud that would cause
sudden changes in visibility (less than 1 000 m))

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14

Layers

15

Obscured (OBSC)

16

Embedded (EMBD)

17

Frequent embedded

18

reserved

19

reserved

20

reserved

21

reserved

22

reserved

23

reserved

24

reserved

25

reserved

26

reserved

27

reserved

28

reserved

29

reserved

30

reserved

31

missing

32

1 okta or less, but not zero (1/10 or less, but not zero)

33

2 oktas (2/10 - 3/10)

34

3 oktas (4/10)

35

4 oktas (5/10)

36

5 oktas (6/10)

37

6 oktas (7/10 - 8/10)

38

7 oktas or more, but not 8 oktas (9/10 or more, but not 10/10)

39

8 oktas (10/10)

40
41

Sky obscured by fog and/or other meteorological phenomena
Cloud cover is indiscernible for reasons other than for or other
meteorological phenomena, or observation is not made

42

Sky Clear reported from manned station.

43

Nil Significant Cloud (clear below 1500 meters)

44

Obscured Significance

45

Sky Clear reported from auto station.

46

Sky obscured by a surface-based layer of coverage ≥90%

47

Sky partially obscured by a surface-based layer with coverage of <90%

48

No clouds detected below 10000 ft

49

Sky partially obscured by fog and/or other meteorological phenomena

50

No cloud detected

51

No clouds detected below 25,000 ft (NC-AWOS)

52

Ceiling and Visibility OK

53

No significant weather

54

Thin few

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Thin scattered

56

Thin broken

57

Thin overcast

6.5.14 wind_gust_squall_indicator
CodeSource

CodeType

std_code_src

wind_gust_squall_indicator

February 8, 2019

CodeValue

CodeDescEng

0

Gust from an autostation

1

Gust

2

Squall

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