CDMP

Keying of Surface Airways Observations

NOAA's CDMP is working with its corporate partners and the Northeast Regional Climate Center (NRCC) to make available historical hourly weather observations. The original weather observer's paper records have been scanned and placed online via the EDADS display system. Meteorologists at CDMP headquarters in NCDC in Asheville prepare the images for keying, then the data are keyed by CDMP contractors, and finally QC and reformatting of the data is accomplished at NRCC in Ithaca, NY. The newly digitized data are then ingested into NCDC's digital database.

These observations begin with the earliest twice-daily U.S. Weather Bureau observations, starting in 1893. As weather stations became established at U.S. airports, the observation frequency increased, and hourly data begin at many locations as early as 1928 (1928-48). For other stations, some data were already digitized after 1948. But some stations remained unkeyed, and there are gaps in even some of these records, including a significant gap for many stations between 1965 and 1981. Keying for all three of these data periods is currently underway through CDMP.

To view stations, years keyed, and other information on the CDMP keying effort for these three data periods, click on the links below.

Index and station comments summaries:

• 1001 monthly forms, 1893-1948
• Hourly observations, 1928-48
• Hourly observations, 1965-81

Notes: batch numbers displayed refer to the EDADS system. Any keying for years after the '28-'48 period can be found under the 1965-81 link.

Top of Page