File/Web Services
RETRIEVAL PROCEDURES for Obtaining Current Data & Product Files using FTP & HTTP Applications
All TOC data and products are stored for FTP access. The directory and file structure
follows a common subdirectory and file naming standard. The types of directory trees are
described in detail below to help locate specific data and model forecast
product types. Review the General Guide before
writing computer programs to access the files.
- Computer Models - This is a description of the directory and file names
for computer model derived products. The products are from the various processing centers.
The files either contain the original received WMO message (bulletin) or contain GRIB/BUFR
products delivered without message format. The products are available for 48 hours.
NOTE: Most computer generated products in GRIB are currently available
- Text Products - This is a description of the directory and file names
used to store files of text products, such as, forecasts and warnings that are generated at
the NWS Forecast Offices. This information is stored in files as received in the WMO
bulletin format. The AWIPS heading structure is included. The content bulletins are primarily in English.
- Text Parsed Data - This is a description of directory and file names used
to store a subset of data. A English Descriptive Format naming process is used. It
describes the content data types under unique descriptive names. These separate files were
generated for internal server use. However, they are available for infrequent retrieval by
those who wish to obtain a finite set of specific textual meteorological
products. An example is a specific warning, forecasts, or aviation observations. Only the
last received product is available. NOTE: The "sub-directory named
"RAW" has the last version of the complete message bulletin issued by the Weather
Forecast Office.
- Observed Data - This is a description of the directory and file names for
a specific subset of data types. These files contain observational data and Terminal Area Forcasts
(TAFs) in the received WMO bulletin format. The data is stored by the first two characters
of the WMO heading. The data is based upon T1T
2 equal to "SM", "US", "SA", "FT", "UA", and "WS" WMO message types.
The content is in the designated standard WMO codes. The data is available
for 48 hours from the time of reciept at the WMC Washington).
- Radar Products - This is a description of the directory and file names
used to store the WSR-88D and TDWR radar products. The radar products are in the original RPG/SPG generated
form. The products are stored in 10 second received rotating files by product type and radar site
subdirectories. The product is available for at least 48 hours from reciept. [See the
Radar Product Central Collection/Distribution Service
web page for details.]
- Satellite Products - This is a description of the directory and file
names used to store computer generated NESDIS satellite imagery products. These products
are in the NESDIS proccessed format. They are not for WMO message distribution. This data
is available for the last two orbits after reciept.
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