-----Original Message-----

From: Sheffer, Melissa (MPCA) [mailto:Melissa.Sheffer@state.mn.us] 

Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 5:05 PM

To: NEYMAN, MARK; Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov; Will, Matt

Cc: dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; Becker, Dennis L (MPCA); fontaine@ladco.org; 

gail.good@wisconsin.gov; HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov; jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; Sprague, Jeff; 

john.roth@wisconsin.gov; koerber@ladco.org; DERF, MARK; Mosier, Michael; Roberson, Ruth (MPCA); 

Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; Sherman, Steven

Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access

I actually asked the same question to NCDC staff and they had a document that they forwarded to me. 

However, the data was limited. I've attached the information that was sent to me which will hopefully 

help you. 

Melissa Sheffer

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

651-757-2718

-----Original Message-----

From: Haywood, Jim (DNRE) [mailto:HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov] 

Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 5:46 PM

To: NEYMAN, MARK; Sheffer, Melissa (MPCA); Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov; Will, Matt

Cc: dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; Becker, Dennis L (MPCA); fontaine@ladco.org; 

gail.good@wisconsin.gov; jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; Sprague, Jeff; john.roth@wisconsin.gov; 

koerber@ladco.org; DERF, MARK; Mosier, Michael; Roberson, Ruth (MPCA); 

Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; Sherman, Steven

Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access

We went through the same exercise when we got up to speed on our met data. We were told by NWS 

to assume 33 ft (10m) unless other information was provided...

________________________________

-----Original Message-----

From: NEYMAN, MARK [mailto:MNEYMAN@idem.IN.gov]

Sent: Monday, July 12, 2010 15:59

To: Sheffer, Melissa (MPCA); Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov; Will, Matt

Cc: dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; Becker, Dennis L (MPCA); fontaine@ladco.org; 

gail.good@wisconsin.gov; HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov; jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; Sprague, Jeff; 

john.roth@wisconsin.gov; koerber@ladco.org; DERF, MARK; Mosier, Michael; Roberson, Ruth (MPCA); 

Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; Sherman, Steven

Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access

Does anybody know of a web site which lists the current anemometer height, not the elevation, at the 

National Weather Service meteorological tower sites. In years past it was rather standard at 20 feet or 

6.1 meters, but with the conversion to the ASOS and with meteorological tower sites moving around in 
recent years not sure 20 feet is the standard anemometer height. I might just have to contact the NWS 

offices directly. Thanks.

Mark

-----Original Message-----

From: Sheffer, Melissa (MPCA) [mailto:Melissa.Sheffer@state.mn.us]

Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 4:10 PM

To: Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov; Will, Matt

Cc: dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; Becker, Dennis L (MPCA); fontaine@ladco.org; 

gail.good@wisconsin.gov; HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov; jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; Sprague, Jeff; 

john.roth@wisconsin.gov; koerber@ladco.org; DERF, MARK; Mosier, Michael; NEYMAN, MARK; 

Roberson, Ruth (MPCA); Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; Sherman, Steven

Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access

Randy, that is the same upper air data link I have been using as well.

As far as the NCDC ISHD data, it took a lot of time before I could get access to the ftp website (of which 

both links below work for me now). The thought at first was that it was because we have a .us 

extension, but the website lists that .us extensions are suppose to have free access 

(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/nndc/freeaccess.html ). But I soon discovered using these websites 

(http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/about/ncdchelp.html#FREE and 

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/whoami/whoami ) that the issue was that my host name was resolving 

properly on the NCDC website due to some IT/firewall settings here at our agency. So, it took some 

tinkering around with our IT department and a little assistance from the NCDC folks before I was finally 

able to be granted access to the ftp site. Incidentally, once I was able to gain access to the ftp site, all of 

the staff (at least in my unit) were able to gain free access to NCDC data that they were previously 

unable to. I do have an email string with the steps on how we got the access if anybody is interested in 

it.

Just thought I'd share this tidbit of information in case anyone was running up against the same wall as I 

did a year ago.

Melissa Sheffer, Research Scientist

Risk Eval. & Air Modeling Unit, 

 Environmental Analysis & Outcomes Division Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)

 520 Lafayette Rd. N., Saint Paul, MN 55155 Office #: (651) 757-2718, Email: 

Melissa.Sheffer@state.mn.us MPCA's Air Dispersion Modeling Webpage

-----Original Message-----

From: Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov [mailto:Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov]

Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 15:00

To: Will, Matt

Cc: dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; Becker, Dennis L (MPCA); fontaine@ladco.org; 

gail.good@wisconsin.gov; HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov; jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; Sprague, Jeff; 

john.roth@wisconsin.gov; koerber@ladco.org; DERF, MARK; Sheffer, Melissa (MPCA); Mosier, Michael; 

NEYMAN, MARK; Roberson, Ruth (MPCA); Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; Sherman, Steven

Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access
This URL seems to get you to the same

place.....http://esrl.noaa.gov/raobs/.

I think the Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL) changed their name to Earth Systems Research Laboratory 

(ESRL).

Randy Robinson

USEPA Region 5

312 353-6713

 

 From: "Will, Matt" <Matt.Will@Illinois.gov> 

 

 To: "NEYMAN, MARK" <MNEYMAN@idem.IN.gov>, Randall Robinson/R5/USEPA/US@EPA, 

"dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us" 

 <dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us>, "dennis.becker@state.mn.us" 

<dennis.becker@state.mn.us>, "fontaine@ladco.org" 

 <fontaine@ladco.org>, "gail.good@wisconsin.gov" <gail.good@wisconsin.gov>, 

"HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov" 

 <HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov>, "Sprague, Jeff" <Jeff.Sprague@Illinois.gov>, 

"jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov" 

 <jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov>, "john.roth@wisconsin.gov" <john.roth@wisconsin.gov>, "DERF, 

MARK" <MDERF@idem.IN.gov>, 

 "Mosier, Michael" <MMOSIER@idem.IN.gov>, "ruth.roberson@state.mn.us" 

<ruth.roberson@state.mn.us>, "Sherman, Steven" 

 <SSHERMAN@idem.IN.gov>, "Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us" 

<Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us>, 

 "melissa.sheffer@state.mn.us" <melissa.sheffer@state.mn.us>, "koerber@ladco.org" 

<koerber@ladco.org> 

 

 Date: 07/07/2010 02:53 PM 

 

 Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access 

 

7-7-2010

Hi Mark,

Try this URL for upper air: http://www-frd.fsl.noaa.gov/mab/raob/

Regards,
Matt

Matthew L. Will

Modeling Unit/Air Quality Planning Section, MS39 Bureau of Air Illinois EPA

1021 North Grand Avenue East

P.O. Box 19276

Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276

Phone: 217/524-4789

FAX: 217/524-4710

Email: matt.will@illinois.gov

Web Site: http://www.epa.state.il.us/

-----Original Message-----

From: NEYMAN, MARK [mailto:MNEYMAN@idem.IN.gov]

Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 2:49 PM

To: Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov; dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; dennis.becker@state.mn.us; 

fontaine@ladco.org; gail.good@wisconsin.gov; HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov; Sprague, Jeff; 

jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; john.roth@wisconsin.gov; Will, Matt; DERF, MARK; Mosier, Michael; 

ruth.roberson@state.mn.us; Sherman, Steven; Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; 

melissa.sheffer@state.mn.us; koerber@ladco.org

Subject: RE: NCDC ISH data access

Randy and all,

I haven't had any problems with the NCDC ISHD web page, but I have noticed the upper air data site has 

been unavailable for some time.

This link seems to work fine too

ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/noaa/

However, this upper air data site has been unavailable

http://raob.fsl.noaa.gov/

Mark

-----Original Message-----

From: Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov [ mailto:Robinson.Randall@epamail.epa.gov]

Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 4:26 PM

To: dana.thompson@epa.state.oh.us; dennis.becker@state.mn.us; fontaine@ladco.org; 

gail.good@wisconsin.gov; HAYWOODJ@michigan.gov; jeff.sprague@illinois.gov; 

jeffrey.sims@wisconsin.gov; john.roth@wisconsin.gov; matt.will@illinois.gov; DERF, MARK; Mosier, 
Michael; NEYMAN, MARK; ruth.roberson@state.mn.us; Sherman, Steven; 

Sarah.vanderwielen@epa.state.oh.us; melissa.sheffer@state.mn.us; koerber@ladco.org

Subject: Fw: NCDC ISH data access

FYI. I don't know if any of you are still having problems with this

page.

Randy Robinson

USEPA Region 5

312 353-6713

----- Forwarded by Randall Robinson/R5/USEPA/US on 07/06/2010 03:23 PM

-----

 From: Randall Robinson/R5/USEPA/US

 To: James Thurman/RTP/USEPA/US@EPA

 Date: 07/06/2010 03:23 PM

 Subject: NCDC ISH data access

Hello James,

FYI. We've been struggling off and on for a couple years to maintain

access to the free ISH data on NCDC. The following website, which is

slightly different than the one the NCDC page, seems to work for everyone in our office.

Feel free to distribute to the other Regions because I think some have had similar problems getting 

consistent access.

ftp://ftp3.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/noaa/

Thanks, Randy

Randy Robinson

USEPA Region 5

312 353-6713