**Action Item No. B-8**

**NCDC/NWS Climate Services Partnership Meeting**

**April 20-22, 2005**

**Asheville, NC**

Action Item No. B-8:

1.  Coordinate regional and field input to NCDC for reasonable
    suggestions for changes to the Health of the Network (HoN) website
    (Kearns, Leffler/Berger; due 7-29-05)

2.  Form a team for feedback, policy, and training related to HoN
    (Kearns/Leffler/Berger; due 7-29-05).

3.  Develop a more user-friendly format for web display of HoN (Owen;
    9-30-05).

Purpose: This activity addresses Action Item No. B-8, parts one and two
as noted above. This documentation will be provided to Tim Owen (NCDC)
upon finalization so that NCDC may complete action no. B-8, part 3
above.

Background: The National Climatic Data Center's (NCDC) Health of the
COOP Network (HoN) web site is updated each month to assist COOP network
program managers in identifying possible data discontinuities. The data
are displayed via a web based system and provide information in the form
of tables, graphs and maps.

As part of an effort to improve data quality control and the integrity
of the climate record, NWS desires to make more effective use of
existing NCDC products such as Health of the Network.

This effort documents the response to the action item No. B-8 parts 1
and 2, shown above.

1)  NWS Regional and field suggestions to change HoN website:

    a.  Reorganize website for ease of use

    b.  Combine areas to eliminate redundancy

    c.  Improve timeliness of data

    d.  Provide snapshot views

2)  Form a team for HoN feedback on policy and training:

> Team Members:
>
> Tim Kearns Chair, NWS Field Rep Central Region
>
> Helen Frederick NCDC Rep
>
> William Angel NCDC Rep
>
> George Cline NWS Field Rep Western Region
>
> Myron Berger NWS HQ Rep
>
> Bob Leffler NWS HQ Rep
>
> Mike Asmus NWS Southern Region Rep
>
> Sergio Marsh NWS Eastern Region Rep
>
> Susan Nelson NWS Western Region Rep
>
> **Recommendations for Policy (Organizational Responsibilities ):**
>
> *[NCDC:]{.underline}* NCDC's Data Processing Branch will operationally
> distribute HoN statistics as appropriate.
>
> *[HQ NWS:]{.underline}* NWSH's Observing Services and Climate Services
> Divisions will develop NWS policy that documents NWS field operation
> responsibilities with respect to the use of HoN to protect the
> integrity of both real-time data and the climate record. Observations
> Services Division should have the lead as the NWS policy chapters
> dealing with data quality control (NWSI 10-1305, Surface Observing
> Program, (Land) Observational Quality Control - General) are the
> responsibility of this division. Climate Services Division should
> provide support as they have expertise in the climate related
> activities of data QC and are heavily involved in efforts to improve
> inter-line office and field data quality control activities in the
> interest of ensuring the integrity of the climate record.

*[Regional Offices]{.underline}*: TBD

> *[Weather Forecast Office/Data Collection Office:]{.underline}*
>
> Local offices should monitor the HoN web site to ensure the integrity
> of their local COOP data. Local Network Data Managers should review
> the HoN information, investigate, and take corrective action as
> appropriate for any of the following problems.
>
> \- Shifted data
>
> \- Missing data
>
> \- Missing stations
>
> \- Changes to the original temperature data of 5 degrees Fahrenheit or
> more
>
> \- Changes to the original precipitation data of 0.25 inches or more

**TYPES OF REPORTS**:

Each month, NCDC will compile three different levels of report for
review by NWS data managers. The three types of reports are listed below
along with a brief explanation of the level of Quality Control each type
of reports receives.

> *[Preliminary Report 1]{.underline}*
>
> This report will become available 15-20 days after the end of the
> month and will be based on NCDC's TD3201 data. TD3201 preliminary data
> are the result of the initial data entry process from sources such as
> ROSA, WXCODER, and IV-ROCS. As the data are received, data entry
> software checks for and resolves basic internal inconsistencies by
> performing some very low-level quality control.
>
> *[Preliminary Report 2]{.underline}*

This report will become available approximately 60 days after the end of
the month and will be based on NCDC's TD3202 data. TD3202 preliminary
data undergo additional quality control steps over and above TD3201, in
order to detect and remove precipitation outliers and key entry errors,
and further resolve internal data inconsistencies.

> *[Final Report]{.underline}*
>
> This report will be available approximately 110 days after the end of
> the month and will be based on NCDC's TD3200 data. TD3200 data are the
> final data and have undergone full quality control processing at NCDC.
> This includes interactive areal edits where stations are compared with
> nearest neighbor stations. It also includes manual outlier review.
> Resolutions to data discrepancies noted on this report should be
> reported via DATZILLA.

**PROCEDURES:**

> *[For identifying shifted Data]{.underline}*
>
> From the Regional or State level of the Data Assurance Report menu,
> locate all stations listed for your WFO. Shifted temperature data is
> identified using the second number, in the series of three numbers
> listed under the Temperature Mx and Mn columns (for Max and Min).
> Shifted precipitation data is identified using the second number, in
> the series of three numbers listed under the Precipitation Rn and Sn
> columns (for Snow and Rain). For example, in the below Quality
> Assurance Report, Browns Valley MN has been identified as having
> shifted 27 maximum temperatures and 22 minimum temperature.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}***[NCDC](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html) /
  [Monitoring](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/monitoring.html) /
  [Health of the Networks](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/index.html) / [U.S. In
  Situ](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/us-insitu.html) /
  [COOP](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/coop-opt.html) / QA Report***

  ![](media/image2.png){width="6.770833333333333in"
  height="2.9861111111111113e-2in"}
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}**Cooperative Data Quality Assurance
  Report** ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}\
  **For NWS Region: CENTRAL**\
  **December, 2004**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  [**Text Version**](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/out/200412/o)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -------------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --
  **.**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

  **Error                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 **Identified                                                   
  Minimum=8**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Errors/Time                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Shifts/Missing**                                               

  **FLAGGED                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               **Temperature**             **Precipitation**                  
  Stations**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

  **WFO**       **ID**   **Data**                                             **Hist**                                                                                **Rprt**                                              **Grph**                                              **Station      **ST**   **Mx**             **Mn**   **Rn**              **Sn**         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Name**                                                                                 

  ABR           211063   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3qry/identityGrid.cfm?fid=11258&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   BROWNS VALLEY  MN       29/27/ 0           25/22/ 0 0/ 0/ 3             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              

  ABR           218907   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3qry/identityGrid.cfm?fid=11264&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   WHEATON        MN       29/29/ 0           29/29/ 0 0/ 0/ 0             1/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              
  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -------------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --

> To further investigate the shifted data problem, you can review the
> daily breakdown of data by selecting the
> ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"
> height="0.20694444444444443in"} (data) icon for the interested station
> on the Data Assurance Report menu. For example, the menu below was
> generated by selecting the data icon from the row of Browns Valley, MN
> using the Data Assurance Report menu located above. This menu will
> assist the user by identifying the specific days the data was shifted.
>
> NOTE...the sample menu below shows only a small portion of the entire
> menu.

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **STATION IDENTIFICATION**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  --------- --------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
  **Coop    **Station Name**      **State**   **Latitude**   **Longitude**   **Elevation**
  ID**                                                                       

  211063    BROWNS VALLEY         MN          45.593889      -96.827778      990
  --------- --------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------- ---------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **DATA VALUES**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  --- ------- --- ------------------------------------------------------- ----
  1   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces         33
                  original)                                               

  1   TMAX    B   Time shifted value                                      41

  2   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces         35
                  original)                                               

  2   TMAX    B   Time shifted value                                      33

  3   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces         47
                  original)                                               

  3   TMAX    B   Time shifted value                                      35

  4   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces         42
                  original)                                               

  4   TMAX    B   Time shifted value                                      47
  --- ------- --- ------------------------------------------------------- ----

> Once a station has been identified as a data shifter, the local NWS
> Data Manager should contact the observer and provide training on the
> proper method for recording data. The NWS Data Manager should review
> the following month's Preliminary 1 report to ensure corrective action
> has been taken and the observer is no longer shifting data.
>
> *[For identifying missing data]{.underline}*
>
> From the Regional or State level of the Data Assurance Report menu,
> locate all stations listed for your WFO. Missing temperature data is
> identified using the third number, in the series of three numbers,
> listed under the Temperature Mx and Mn columns (for Max and Min).
> Missing precipitation data is identified using the third number, in
> the series of three numbers, listed under the Precipitation Rn and Sn
> columns (for Snow and Rain). For example, in the below Quality
> Assurance Report, Chamberlain Bridge, ME has been identified as having
> 14 missing maximum and minimum temperatures and 14 rain reports.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14583333333333334in"
  height="0.14583333333333334in"}***[NCDC](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html) /
  [Monitoring](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/monitoring.html) /
  [Health of the Networks](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/index.html) / [U.S. In
  Situ](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/us-insitu.html) /
  [COOP](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/coop-opt.html) / QA Report***

  ![](media/image2.png){width="6.770833333333333in"
  height="2.9861111111111113e-2in"}
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14583333333333334in"
  height="0.14583333333333334in"}**Cooperative Data Quality Assurance
  Report** ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14583333333333334in"
  height="0.14583333333333334in"}\
  **For State: Maine**\
  **December, 2004**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [**Text
  Version**](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/out/200412/qa-me200412.txt)

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --
  **.**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

  **Error                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      **Identified                                                   
  Minimum=8**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Errors/Time                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Shifts/Missing**                                               

  **ALL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        **Temperature**             **Precipitation**                  
  Stations**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

  **WFO**       **ID**   **Data**                                             **Hist**                                                                                **Rprt**                                              **Grph**                                              **Station Name**    **ST**   **Mx**             **Mn**   **Rn**              **Sn**         

  CAR           170100   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3qry/identityGrid.cfm?fid=10301&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   ACADIA NATIONAL     ME       2/ 0/ 0            5/ 0/ 0  2/ 0/ 1             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                       PARK                                                                                        

  CAR           171381   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3qry/identityGrid.cfm?fid=32228&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   CHAMBERLAIN BRIDGE  ME       0/ 0/14            2/ 0/14  0/ 0/14             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                   
  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ------------------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --

> To further investigate the missing data problem, you can review the
> daily breakdown of data by selecting the
> ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"
> height="0.20694444444444443in"} (data) icon for the interested station
> on the Data Assurance Report menu. For example, the menu below was
> generated by selecting the data icon from the row of Chamberlain
> Bridge, ME using the Data Assurance Report menu located above. This
> menu will assist the user by identifying the specific days the data
> was missing. This sample shows there is no temperature data for the
> 6^th^, 7^th^, and 8^th^.
>
> NOTE...the sample menu below shows only a small portion of the entire
> menu.

  ------ --------------- --- -------------------------------------- ------
  4      TMAX            0   Valid data element                     23

  5      TMAX            0   Valid data element                     30

  9      TMAX            0   Valid data element                     33

  10     TMAX            0   Valid data element                     33

  11     TMAX            0   Valid data element                     30
  ------ --------------- --- -------------------------------------- ------

> There are a number of possible reasons for missing data; broken
> equipment, observers on vacation, business/offices closed on weekends
> and holidays, etc. NWS Data Managers should make every effort to
> eliminate missing data. Some possible solutions include; having
> observers find a back-up while they are on vacation, installing a
> NIMBUS (temperature recording unit) in business/offices that are
> closed on weekends and holidays, and rapidly responding to equipment
> outages. If the NWS Data Manager has access to missing data, they
> should open a DATZILLA report and provide the data to the appropriate
> agency.
>
> *[For identifying missing stations]{.underline}*
>
> From Cooperative Network Graphing, Reporting, and Mapping Options
> Menu, select the State Options Menus. From the State Option Menu,
> select the appropriate State, then select the Missing Station Report
> option from the Output Options drop down box. Review the output taking
> note of the stations listed within your CWA. Pay particular attention
> to the section labeled "Last Data". This date indicates the last time
> NCDC received data for the listed station. For example, in the Missing
> Stations Menu shown below, NCDC has not received data for the Chester
> 2N station since December 2004.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}***[NCDC](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html) /
  [Monitoring](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/monitoring.html) /
  [Health of the Networks](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/index.html) / [U.S. In
  Situ](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/us-insitu.html) /
  [COOP](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/coop-opt.html) / MS Report***

  ![](media/image2.png){width="6.770833333333333in"
  height="2.9861111111111113e-2in"}
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}**Cooperative Network Missing Stations**
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}\
  **For State: South Dakota**\
  **February, 2005**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [**Text
  Version**](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/out/200502/ms-sd200502.txt)

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  --------- -------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------- -------- ------------ -----------
  **WFO**   **ID**   **Hist**                                                                                                       **Grph**                                              **Station Name** **ST**   **Begin      **Last
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Date**       Data**

  FSD       391636   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=391636&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   CHESTER 2 N      SD       20011101     200412
                                                                                                                                    height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                              
  --------- -------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ---------------- -------- ------------ -----------

> Again, there are a number of possible reasons for a station showing up
> on the Missing Stations Report. The most common reason is the need for
> updated metadata. For example, an observer retires and a station is
> inactivated while a new observer is located; however, the WFO fails to
> submit a B-44 to inactivate. Since there was no B-44 submitted to
> inactivate the station, NCDC assumes it's still operating and reports
> the station as missing. When the reason for the above example (Chester
> 2N) showing up as missing was investigated, the problem was found to
> be an improper Station ID being reported on the B-91. In order to
> correct this problem, the WFO must correct the station ID on all the
> missing B-91s and send them to NCDC.
>
> *[For identifying Changes to the original temperature data of 5
> degrees Fahrenheit or more]{.underline}*
>
> From the Regional or State level of the Data Assurance Report menu,
> locate all stations listed for your WFO and further investigate any
> station that show temperatures errors that are NOT resulting from time
> shifting. For example, in the table listed below, Nashua 2 NNW shows 9
> identified errors in the maximum temperature box that are not
> resulting from time shifting.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}***[NCDC](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html) /
  [Monitoring](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/monitoring.html) /
  [Health of the Networks](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/index.html) / [U.S. In
  Situ](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/us-insitu.html) /
  [COOP](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/coop-opt.html) / QA Report***

  ![](media/image2.png){width="6.770833333333333in"
  height="2.9861111111111113e-2in"}
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}**Cooperative Data Quality Assurance
  Report** ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}\
  **For NWS Region: EASTERN**\
  **February, 2005**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  [**Text Version**](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/out/200502/o)

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -------------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --
  **Error                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        **Identified                                                   
  Minimum=8**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Errors/Time                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Shifts/Missing**                                               

  **FLAGGED                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      **Temperature**             **Precipitation**                  
  Stations**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

  **WFO**       **ID**   **Data**                                             **Hist**                                                                                                       **Rprt**                                              **Grph**                                              **Station      **ST**   **Mx**             **Mn**   **Rn**              **Sn**         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Name**                                                                                 

  BOX           190593   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=190593&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   BEVERLY        MA       25/24/ 0           3/ 0/ 0  0/ 0/ 0             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              

  BOX           191386   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=191386&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   CHATHAM WSMO   MA       25/25/ 0           23/23/ 0 0/ 0/ 1             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              

  BOX           194711   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=194711&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   MIDDLEBORO     MA       -/ -/ -            -/ -/ -  15/25/ 0            8/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              

  BOX           195175   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=195175&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   NATICK         MA       26/26/ 0           22/21/ 0 16/16/ 0            8/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              

  BOX           275712   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=275712&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   NASHUA 2 NNW   NH       9/ 0/ 0            6/ 0/ 0  0/ 0/ 3             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                              
  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- -------------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --

> This would require additional investigation to determine the problem.
> To do so, select the
> ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"
> height="0.20694444444444443in"} icon (data) in the row containing the
> Nashua 2 NNW information. The following information is displayed.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}***[NCDC](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html) /
  [Health of the Networks](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/index.html) / [U.S. In
  Situ](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/us-insitu.html) /***
  [***COOP***](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/coop-opt.html) ***/ Data
  Listing***

  ![](media/image2.png){width="6.770833333333333in"
  height="2.9861111111111113e-2in"}

  **Cooperative Station Monthly Data Listing**\
  **Yearmonth:** 200502
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **STATION IDENTIFICATION**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------- ---------------
  **Coop     **Station Name**     **State**   **Latitude**   **Longitude**   **Elevation**
  ID**                                                                       

  275712     NASHUA 2 NNW         NH          42.78          -71.48          130
  ---------- -------------------- ----------- -------------- --------------- ---------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  **DATA VALUES**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  --------- -------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------
  **Day**   **Element**    **Flag**   **Description**      **Data Value**

  --------- -------------- ---------- -------------------- -------------------

  ---- ------- --- ----------------------------------------------------- ----
  17   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces       57
                   original)                                             

  17   TMAX    N ) Substitution of \"3 nearest station mean\"            40

  18   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces       40
                   original)                                             

  18   TMAX    N ) Substitution of \"3 nearest station mean\"            32

  19   TMAX    2   Invalid data element (subsequent value replaces       40
                   original)                                             

  19   TMAX    N ) Substitution of \"3 nearest station mean\"            27
  ---- ------- --- ----------------------------------------------------- ----

> NOTE...the sample menu above shows only a small portion of the entire
> menu.
>
> In the above example, data for the 17^th^, 18^th^, and 19^th^ were
> replaced with values using NCDC's 3 nearest station mean routine.
> These types of changes require further investigation to determine
> whether the substituted value is valid or the original value should be
> placed back into the database. When a WFO is seeing these types of
> errors for a particular location, they should consider several
> different possible causes; equipment exposure, malfunctioning
> equipment, and terrain influences are just a few. However, if after
> considering all possible causes the WFO believes the original data is
> correct, they should open a DATZILLA trouble ticket and be prepared to
> support their claim. If the WFO believes the data is correct and
> NCDC's 3 nearest station mean should not be used on a particular site
> due to local effects, the office should contact NCDC and ask them to
> add the station to the Spatial QC Exception List. Once again, be
> prepared to support your decision for inclusion on the list. Remember,
> all substituted data that shows up on the final version of the HoN
> goes into the published data (TD3200).
>
> *[For identifying Changes to the original precipitation data of 0.25
> inches or more]{.underline}*
>
> From the Regional or State level of the Data Assurance Report menu,
> locate all stations listed for your WFO and further investigate any
> station that show precipitation errors that are NOT resulting from
> time shifting. For example, in the table listed below, Ashton 2S shows
> 3 identified errors in the precipitation column which require further
> investigation.

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}***[NCDC](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/ncdc.html) /
  [Monitoring](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/monitoring.html) /
  [Health of the Networks](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/index.html) / [U.S. In
  Situ](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/us-insitu.html) /
  [COOP](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/coop-opt.html) / QA Report***

  ![](media/image2.png){width="6.770833333333333in"
  height="2.9861111111111113e-2in"}
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
  ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}**Cooperative Data Quality Assurance
  Report** ![](media/image1.png){width="0.14652777777777778in"
  height="0.14652777777777778in"}\
  **For State: South Dakota**\
  **February, 2005**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  [**Text
  Version**](http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/hofn/coop/out/200502/qa-sd200502.txt)

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --
  **.**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

  **Error                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     **Identified                                                   
  Minimum=8**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Errors/Time                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Shifts/Missing**                                               

  **ALL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       **Temperature**             **Precipitation**                  
  Stations**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

  **WFO**       **ID**   **Data**                                             **Hist**                                                                                                       **Rprt**                                              **Grph**                                              **Station   **ST**   **Mx**             **Mn**   **Rn**              **Sn**         
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Name**                                                                              

  ABR           390020   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=390020&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   ABERDEEN RGNL AP                                      SD          0/ 0/ 0  0/ 0/ 0            0/ 0/ 0  0/ -/ -                            
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                                                 

  ABR           390198   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=390198&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   ANDOVER                                               SD          2/ 0/ 0  1/ 0/ 0            0/ 0/ 1  0/ -/ -                            
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                                                 

  ABR           390306   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=390306&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   ARTAS 1S    SD       -/ -/ -            -/ -/ -  0/ 0/ 0             0/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                           

  ABR           390350   ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"   [*MI3*](http://arachne.ncdc.noaa.gov/mi3stn/displayStation.cfm?idTypeabbr=coop&idvalue=390350&PleaseWait=OK)   ![](media/image4.png){width="0.22777777777777777in"   ![](media/image5.png){width="0.20694444444444443in"   ASHTON 2S   SD       -/ -/ -            -/ -/ -  3/ 0/ 0             1/ -/ -        
                         height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                                                     height="0.24861111111111112in"}                       height="0.20694444444444443in"}                                                                                                           
  ------------- -------- ---------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- ----------- -------- ------------------ -------- ------------------- -------- -- -- --

> You can narrow down the problem by view additional information found
> on the Data Listing Menu. To access this menu, select the data icon
> ![](media/image3.png){width="0.1673611111111111in"
> height="0.20694444444444443in"} from the row of information containing
> Ashton 2S data.

  ---- ------ ---- --------------------------------------------------- ------
  20   PRCP   0    Valid data element                                  0.15

  21   PRCP   0 T  Valid data element                                  0.00

  22   PRCP   3    Invalid data element (no replacement value follows) 0.00

  23   PRCP   3    Invalid data element (no replacement value follows) 0.00

  24   PRCP   3    Invalid data element (no replacement value follows) 0.00

  25   PRCP   0    Valid data element                                  0.00

  26   PRCP   0    Valid data element                                  0.00

  27   PRCP   0    Valid data element                                  0.00

  28   PRCP   0 T  Valid data element                                  0.00
  ---- ------ ---- --------------------------------------------------- ------

> In this particular case, NCDC noted an error, but did not have a
> replacement value; therefore, they left the value as reported (0.00).
> However, a closer look at the B-91 and discussions with the observer
> revealed an error in recording snow depth. The observer was reporting
> snow depth measurements to the nearest one tenth of an inch and
> incorrectly placing it in the snowfall column. Additional training was
> provided to the observer and a DATZILLA ticket was opened to correct
> the snowfall.
>
> ![](media/image6.png){width="6.071527777777778in"
> height="4.677083333333333in"}