**National Climatic Data Center**

**DATA DOCUMENTATION**

**FOR**

**DATASET 6110 (DSI-6110)**

**NCEP Charts**

**September 23, 2005**

National Climatic Data Center

151 Patton Ave.

Asheville, NC 28801-5001 USA

**Table of Contents**

[Topic Page Number]{.underline}

1\.
Abstract\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...
3

2\. Element Names and Definitions**:**
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 9

3\. Start
Date\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\... 10

4\. Stop
Date\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 10

5\.
Coverage\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
10

6\. How to order
data\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 10

7\. Archiving Data Center.
\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 10

8\. Technical
Contact\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\..... 10

9\. Known Uncorrected Problems\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
10

10\. Quality
Statement\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.... 10

11\. Essential Companion Data Sets\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\....
10

12\.
References\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\...\.....
10

**1. [Abstract]{.underline}**: The National Climatic Data Center
archives weather charts that are produced by the U.S. [National Centers
for Environmental Prediction](http://wwwt.ncep.noaa.gov/) (NCEP). The
charts are the most commonly used by the climate community because they
provide a quick historical reference concerning weather conditions on
selected dates. They can also be used to geographically locate and date
a series of weather phenomena and events. These charts consist of
analyses and forecasts of all mandatory levels of the atmosphere.

Charts are produced on a daily basis at 00 and 12 UTC. The forecast
charts present the expected condition for the next 12 hour period.
During special meteorological events analysis charts are available at
more frequent time intervals. The geographic presentations of these
charts include the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, Tropical and Polar
Regions.

The following summary of the chart contents contain constant pressure
charts, including the analyses and forecasts of heights, temperatures,
winds, relative humidity, vertical velocity, vorticity, lifted index,
thickness levels, and wind shear. Also included in this archive are
satellite imagery from the GOES East and West satellites. These
satellite analyses include visible, infrared, and water vapor imagery.
Also available are surface analyses and charts of the Atlantic and
Pacific with special emphasis on specific areas such as the Gulf of
Alaska.

Types of charts available -

+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| **File Name**           | *              | **Area of    | **Obs     |
|                         | *Description** | Coverage**   | ervations |
|                         |                |              | per Day** |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| ak_24_wndwav            | Forecasts of   | Bering Sea   | 2         |
|                         | sea winds and  | and Gulf of  |           |
|                         | waves in the   | Alaska       |           |
|                         | Alaska area.   |              |           |
|                         | Significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height is |              |           |
|                         | shown.         |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atlxx_wndwav            | Forecasts of   | North        | 2         |
|                         | 00, 24, 48,    | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | and 96 hour    |              |           |
|                         | winds and      |              |           |
|                         | waves. Shows   |              |           |
|                         | significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height.   |              |           |
|                         | The average    |              |           |
|                         | height of the  |              |           |
|                         | highest        |              |           |
|                         | one-third of   |              |           |
|                         | the waves.     |              |           |
|                         | Produced twice |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atl_seaanal_12          | Sea-state      | North        | 1         |
|                         | analysis.      | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | Arrows show    |              |           |
|                         | direction of   |              |           |
|                         | dominant waves |              |           |
|                         | and            |              |           |
|                         | significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height in |              |           |
|                         | meters.        |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atlxx_500fcst_xx        | Forecast of    | North        | 2         |
|                         | 00, 24, 36,    | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | 48, and 96     |              |           |
|                         | hour 500 mb    |              |           |
|                         | analysis.      |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atlxx_sfcfcst_xx        | Forecast of 48 | North        | 2         |
|                         | and 96 hour    | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | ocean surface  |              |           |
|                         | weather.       |              |           |
|                         | Includes       |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | movements and  |              |           |
|                         | fronts.        |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atl48_wavepd_12         | Forecast of 48 | North        | 2         |
|                         | hour wave      | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | period and     |              |           |
|                         | direction and  |              |           |
|                         | 48 hour ice    |              |           |
|                         | accretion.     |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atle_sfcanal_xx         | Analysis of    | Northeast    | 4         |
|                         | Atlantic       | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | Surface.       |              |           |
|                         | Includes       |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | systems,       |              |           |
|                         | fronts, and    |              |           |
|                         | wind direction |              |           |
|                         | and speed.     |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atlsfc.00               | Preliminary    | North        | 4         |
|                         | analysis of    | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | Atlantic       |              |           |
|                         | Surface.       |              |           |
|                         | Includes       |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | systems        |              |           |
|                         | tendency, and  |              |           |
|                         | measurements   |              |           |
|                         | (mb), fronts,  |              |           |
|                         | temps, dew     |              |           |
|                         | points, winds, |              |           |
|                         | cloud cover,   |              |           |
|                         | and ship call  |              |           |
|                         | signs.         |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| atlw_sfcanal_xx         | Analysis of    | Northwest    | 4         |
|                         | Atlantic       | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | surface.       |              |           |
|                         | Includes       |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | systems and    |              |           |
|                         | their          |              |           |
|                         | movements,     |              |           |
|                         | measurements,  |              |           |
|                         | winds, cloud   |              |           |
|                         | cover, and     |              |           |
|                         | fronts. In     |              |           |
|                         | color.         |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| epac24_sfcfcst_00       | 24-hour        | Northeast    | 4         |
|                         | surface        | Pacific      |           |
|                         | forecast of    |              |           |
|                         | the Eastern    |              |           |
|                         | Pacific.       |              |           |
|                         | Includes       |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | systems and    |              |           |
|                         | their          |              |           |
|                         | movement,      |              |           |
|                         | measurements,  |              |           |
|                         | and fronts.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| epac24_wndwav_xx        | 24-hour wind   | Eastern      | 2         |
|                         | and wave       | Pacific      |           |
|                         | forecast.      |              |           |
|                         | Includes       |              |           |
|                         | significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height    |              |           |
|                         | and direction. |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| epac_wwanal_00          | Analysis of    | Eastern      | 8         |
|                         | significant    | Pacific      |           |
|                         | wave height    |              |           |
|                         | and winds      |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pacxx_wndwav            | Forecasts of   | North        | 2         |
|                         | 00, 24, 48,    | Pacific      |           |
|                         | and 96 hour    |              |           |
|                         | winds and      |              |           |
|                         | waves. Shows   |              |           |
|                         | significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height.   |              |           |
|                         | The average    |              |           |
|                         | height of the  |              |           |
|                         | highest        |              |           |
|                         | one-third of   |              |           |
|                         | the waves.     |              |           |
|                         | Produced twice |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pac00_500fcst           | Analysis of    | North        | 2         |
|                         | the 500 mb     | Pacific      |           |
|                         | level in the   |              |           |
|                         | North Pacific. |              |           |
|                         | Included are   |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | centers,       |              |           |
|                         | measurements,  |              |           |
|                         | and winds      |              |           |
|                         | aloft. The     |              |           |
|                         | analysis are   |              |           |
|                         | produced twice |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pacxx_500fcst           | Forecasts of   | North        | 2         |
|                         | the 500 mb     | Pacific      |           |
|                         | level.         |              |           |
|                         | Available for  |              |           |
|                         | 24, 48, 96     |              |           |
|                         | hour           |              |           |
|                         | forecasts.     |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pacxx_sfcfcst           | Forecasts of   | North        | 2         |
|                         | the Pacific    | Pacific      |           |
|                         | sea surface.   |              |           |
|                         | Available for  |              |           |
|                         | 12, 24, 48,    |              |           |
|                         | and 96 hour    |              |           |
|                         | forecasts.     |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pacxx_wavpd             | Forecasts of   | North        | 2         |
|                         | wave           | Pacific      |           |
|                         | pe             |              |           |
|                         | riod/direction |              |           |
|                         | and ice        |              |           |
|                         | accretion.     |              |           |
|                         | Available for  |              |           |
|                         | 12, 24, 48,    |              |           |
|                         | and 96 hour    |              |           |
|                         | forecasts.     |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pac_seaanal             | Analysis of    | North        | 2         |
|                         | the Pacific    | Pacific      |           |
|                         | sea state.     |              |           |
|                         | Significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height    |              |           |
|                         | and direction  |              |           |
|                         | is shown.      |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pace_sfcanal_xx         | Analysis of    | Northeast    | 4         |
|                         | the sea        | Pacific      |           |
|                         | surface in     |              |           |
|                         | color.         |              |           |
|                         | Contains       |              |           |
|                         | pressure areas |              |           |
|                         | and their      |              |           |
|                         | movements,     |              |           |
|                         | fronts, winds, |              |           |
|                         | clouds, and    |              |           |
|                         | isobars.       |              |           |
|                         | Available at   |              |           |
|                         | 00, 06, 12,    |              |           |
|                         | and 18 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| pacw_sfcanal_xx         | Analysis of    | Northwest    | 4         |
|                         | the sea        | Pacific      |           |
|                         | surface in     |              |           |
|                         | color.         |              |           |
|                         | Contains       |              |           |
|                         | pressure areas |              |           |
|                         | and their      |              |           |
|                         | movements,     |              |           |
|                         | fronts, winds, |              |           |
|                         | clouds, and    |              |           |
|                         | isobars.       |              |           |
|                         | Available at   |              |           |
|                         | 00, 06, 12,    |              |           |
|                         | and 18 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gdas_xxx_hgt_iso_nh_anl | Analysis       | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | showing        | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | heights and    |              |           |
|                         | isotachs.      |              |           |
|                         | Available for  |              |           |
|                         | heights of     |              |           |
|                         | 200, 250, 300, |              |           |
|                         | 500, 700, and  |              |           |
|                         | 850. Produced  |              |           |
|                         | twice daily at |              |           |
|                         | 00 and 12 UTC. |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gdas_xxx_hgt_iso_sh_anl | Analyses       | Southern     | 2         |
|                         | showing        | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | heights and    |              |           |
|                         | isotachs.      |              |           |
|                         | Available for  |              |           |
|                         | heights of     |              |           |
|                         | 200, 250, 300, |              |           |
|                         | 500, 700, and  |              |           |
|                         | 850. Produced  |              |           |
|                         | twice daily at |              |           |
|                         | 00 and 12 UTC. |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gd                      | Analysis of    | Northern     | 2         |
| as_xxxhgt_tmp_nh_anl_xx | heights and    | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | temperature at |              |           |
|                         | various        |              |           |
|                         | levels. Levels |              |           |
|                         | include 100,   |              |           |
|                         | 150, 200, 250, |              |           |
|                         | 500, and 700   |              |           |
|                         | mb.            |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gd                      | Analysis of    | Southern     | 2         |
| as_xxxhgt_tmp_sh_anl_xx | heights and    | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | temperature at |              |           |
|                         | various        |              |           |
|                         | levels. Levels |              |           |
|                         | include 100,   |              |           |
|                         | 150, 200, 250, |              |           |
|                         | 500, and 700   |              |           |
|                         | mb.            |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| g                       | Analysis       | Northern     | 2         |
| das_sfc_mslp_thk_xx_anl | showing mean   | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | sea level      |              |           |
|                         | pressure/      | and          |           |
|                         | 1000-500 mb    |              |           |
|                         | thickness      | Southern     |           |
|                         | levels.        | Hemishpere   |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs                     | Analysis       | United       | 2         |
| _sfc_mslp_thk_uscan_anl | showing mean   | States and   |           |
|                         | sea level      | Canada       |           |
|                         | pressure/      |              |           |
|                         | 1000-500 mb    |              |           |
|                         | thickness.     |              |           |
|                         | Produced twice |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_sfc_mslp_thk_nh_fxx | Forecasts of   | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | mean sea level | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | pre            |              |           |
|                         | ssure/1000-500 |              |           |
|                         | mb thickness.  |              |           |
|                         | Forecasts are  |              |           |
|                         | made twice     |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC for |              |           |
|                         | 12, 24, 36,    |              |           |
|                         | and 48 hour    |              |           |
|                         | periods.       |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_xxx_hgt_iso_nh_anl  | Analysis       | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | showing        | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | heights,       |              |           |
|                         | isotachs, and  |              |           |
|                         | jet steam      |              |           |
|                         | winds.         |              |           |
|                         | Available for  |              |           |
|                         | heights of     |              |           |
|                         | 100, 150, 200, |              |           |
|                         | 250, and 300   |              |           |
|                         | mb.            |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_xxx_hgt_tmp_nh_anl  | Analysis       | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | showing        | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | heights and    |              |           |
|                         | temperatures   |              |           |
|                         | for 100, 200,  |              |           |
|                         | 500, and 700   |              |           |
|                         | mb.            |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_xxx_hgt_wnd_trp_anl | Analysis       | 0 W          | 4         |
|                         | showing        |              |           |
|                         | heights and    | 0 E          |           |
|                         | winds for 150, |              |           |
|                         | 250, 500, 700, | 70 N         |           |
|                         | and 850 mb.    |              |           |
|                         |                | -50 S        |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_xxx_hgt_vor_nh_anl  | Analysis       | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | showing        | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | heights and    |              |           |
|                         | vorticity at   |              |           |
|                         | the 500 mb     |              |           |
|                         | level.         |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gf                      | Analysis       | United       | 2         |
| s_500_hgt_vor_uscan_anl | showing        | States and   |           |
|                         | heights and    | Canada       |           |
|                         | vorticity at   |              |           |
|                         | the 500 mb     |              |           |
|                         | level.         |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_500_hgt_vor_nh_fxx  | Forecasts of   | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | 500 mb heights | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | and vorticity. |              |           |
|                         | Forecasts are  |              |           |
|                         | made twice     |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC for |              |           |
|                         | a 12, 24, 36,  |              |           |
|                         | and 48 hour    |              |           |
|                         | period.        |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_700_rh_vvel_nh_anl  | Analysis of    | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | 700 mb         | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | relative       |              |           |
|                         | humidity and   |              |           |
|                         | vertical       |              |           |
|                         | velocity.      |              |           |
|                         | Analysis made  |              |           |
|                         | twice daily at |              |           |
|                         | 00 and 12 UTC. |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_700_rh_vvel_nh_fxx  | Forecasts of   | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | 700 mb heights | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | and vorticity. |              |           |
|                         | Forecasts are  |              |           |
|                         | made twice     |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC for |              |           |
|                         | a 12, 24, 36,  |              |           |
|                         | and 48 hour    |              |           |
|                         | period.        |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_lift_nh_anl         | Analysis of    | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | the lifted     | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | index.         |              |           |
|                         | Produced twice |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| gfs_trop_prs_wsh_nh_anl | Analysis of    | Northern     | 2         |
|                         | the tropopause | Hemisphere   |           |
|                         | with respect   |              |           |
|                         | to pressure    |              |           |
|                         | and wind       |              |           |
|                         | shear.         |              |           |
|                         | Analyses are   |              |           |
|                         | made twice     |              |           |
|                         | daily at 00    |              |           |
|                         | and 12 UTC.    |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| namxxsfc                | Analysis of    | Alaska,      | 8         |
|                         | the surface.   | Central      |           |
|                         | Charts show    | Central,     |           |
|                         | major surface  | Central      |           |
|                         | elements       | Eastern,     |           |
|                         | including:     | Central      |           |
|                         | Temps, dew     | Western,     |           |
|                         | points, wind   | North        |           |
|                         | speed and      | Central,     |           |
|                         | direction,     | North East,  |           |
|                         | pressure,      | North West,  |           |
|                         | fronts, and    | South        |           |
|                         | cloud cover.   | Central,     |           |
|                         | Charts are     | South East,  |           |
|                         | produced every | South West,  |           |
|                         | 3 hours for    | North        |           |
|                         | all regions in | America,     |           |
|                         | the country,   | United       |           |
|                         | North America  | States       |           |
|                         | and the United |              |           |
|                         | States.        |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| sat_evntxx              | Analysis of    | GOES East    | 2         |
|                         | visible        |              |           |
|                         | satellite      |              |           |
|                         | images covered |              |           |
|                         | by the GOES    |              |           |
|                         | East           |              |           |
|                         | satellite.     |              |           |
|                         | Special events |              |           |
|                         | allow for 06   |              |           |
|                         | and 18 UTC     |              |           |
|                         | transmissions. |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| sat_evpnxx              | Analysis of    | GOES West    | Various   |
|                         | evaporation of |              | Times     |
|                         | various areas  |              |           |
|                         | covered by the |              |           |
|                         | GOES West      |              |           |
|                         | Satellite.     |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| watl24_sfcfcst_xx       | Forecasts of   | North        | 2         |
|                         | 24 hour sea    | Atlantic     |           |
|                         | surface.       |              |           |
|                         | Contains       |              |           |
|                         | surface        |              |           |
|                         | pressure       |              |           |
|                         | areas,         |              |           |
|                         | measurements,  |              |           |
|                         | and movements, |              |           |
|                         | fronts, and    |              |           |
|                         | isobars.       |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+
| watl_wwanal_xx          | Analysis of    | Varies per   | 8         |
|                         | significant    | special      |           |
|                         | sea winds and  | event        |           |
|                         | waves.         |              |           |
|                         | Significant    |              |           |
|                         | wave height is |              |           |
|                         | shown along    |              |           |
|                         | with surface   |              |           |
|                         | winds.         |              |           |
+-------------------------+----------------+--------------+-----------+

**2. [Element Names and Definitions]{.underline}:**

None included with original documentation.

**3. [Start Date]{.underline}:** 19940201

**4. [Stop Date]{.underline}:** Ongoing

**5. [Coverage]{.underline}:**

a\. Southernmost Latitude: -90.0S

b\. Northernmost Latitude: 90.0N

c\. Westernmost Longitude: -180.0W

d\. Easternmost Longitude: 180.0E

**6. [How to Order Data]{.underline}:**

Ask NCDC's Climate Services about the cost of obtaining this data set.

Phone: 828-271-4800

FAX: 828-271-4876

E-mail: [**NCDC.Orders@noaa.gov**](mailto:NCDC.Orders@noaa.gov)

**7. [Archiving Data Center]{.underline}:**

Archive Branch

National Climatic Data Center

151 Patton Avenue

Asheville, NC 28801

**8. [Technical Contact]{.underline}:**

National Climatic Data Center

151 Patton Avenue

Asheville, NC 28801

**9. [Known Uncorrected Problems]{.underline}:** None.

**10. [Quality Statement]{.underline}:**

**11. [Essential Companion Datasets]{.underline}:**

**12. [References]{.underline}:**