****GSL Radiosonde Database****StationHistory Files****DownloadAccess Software****DataRestrictions / Disclaimer****

OVERVIEW The REAL-TIME ARCHIVEThe radiosondearchive is comprised of all global GTS observations.     The same decoding and extensive QC analysis are run oneach observations and is consisent with data on the CDROM/DVD archive.  Data is stored in the same randomly accessible compressed data format.  Users can access this data from GSL's web site..  In 2007, we completeda merge of GTS global data available thru NCDC's IGRA project, with theobservations we have collected at GSL.  The merged dataset  contains significantly more observations than were available from  either dataset.  An inventory of the data available  online.Quality Control ProceduresMost questions regarding the processing of the data can be answered byreading the official NOAA Technical Memorandum: "A Hydrostatically Consistent North American Radiosonde Data Base At The Global Systems Laboratory, 1946-Present" . This PDF document is 67MB so it may take a few minutes to download.  Please refer to this document for answers to any technical questions that are not answered elsewhere on this website. STATION HISTORYThe station history is an integral part of the radiosondearchive.  Information contained in the station history are requiredfor output of data.  As a result, a sounding will not be output unlessa corresponding entry exists in the station history file.  We striveto maintain an updated station history tracking changes of location, stationidentifiers and dates station moves as they occur.  You are encouragedto update your copy of this station history frequently.  
Two history filesare used:  international sites andnorth american sites .  Both files are requiredfor the global archive, only the North American file is used by the CDromproduct.DATABASE ACCESS SOFTWAREData is stored in binary for efficient storage and flexible access. A databaseaccess routine was been written to speed your access to the observationsneeded.  The user can select for output to the screen or file: a single station or multiple stations for a defined timeperiod, or all stations within a specified geographic region in eithersynoptic or station sort.  Data can be output in 4 currently supporteddata formats:   two ASCII GSL formats,a GTS format, and a NetCDF format.
Reports consist of data taken at mandatory, significant,and WMO regional and significant (PPBB) wind levels    General information about radiosonde data is available from theFederal Meteorological Handbooks.Data Disclaimer / Restrictions**Please note:**This is recent, research-qualitydata that has not been subjected to production quality control procedures.Nor has the data acquisition system been designed to be continuously-availablefor operational use.
We are making this available for research use, butbe warned that **the Global Systems Laboratory makes no guarantees asthe the accuracy, timeliness or availability of this service or data providedby it**. We cannot be held responsible for any circumstances resultingfrom its use, unavailability, or possible inaccuracy. We reserve the rightto suspend or discontinue this service or portions thereof at any time.
We also reserve the right to **deny access to anyindividual or organization that we determine is abusing this service**.Examples of abuse include automated transfers resulting in excessive datarequests (because it hinders others from accessing the service) and attemptingto gain access to documents and host machines not intended for public use. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)Global Systems Laboratory (GSL)
***Josh Weber**, joshua.weber@noaa.gov*