NOAA Regional Surface Data: Hourly Meteorology for FIFE

Hourly surface meteorological data from selected NOAA stations were processed for the FIFE study area. This dataset likely contains parameters such as atmospheric pressure, temperature, wind, precipitation, and subjective cloud observations to furnish input for numerical simulation models. Measurements provide a representative horizontal cross-section of sky conditions and variables around the FIFE site, though they were not taken precisely at the location.

Use Cases

• Verifying numerical simulation models based on hourly surface meteorological parameters.
• Analyzing regional atmospheric cross-sections using data on pressure, temperature, and wind.
• Studying cloud cover and sky conditions from observer-estimated cloud amount and height.

Strengths

• Data is sourced from the authoritative NOAA operational analysis system.
• Provides hourly temporal resolution for surface meteorological parameters.
• Cross-platform presence on datagov and nasa_earthdata signals established archival importance.

Limitations

• Critical metadata conflicts exist: last_updated dates are 1988-10-23 on nasa_earthdata versus 2026-04-09 on datagov.
• Column names and row counts are unspecified, hindering precise assessment of data structure and scale.
• Dataset description notes that many variables, like cloud estimates, are subjective and dependent on observer skill and biases.

Provenance

Source

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) operational analysis system, transmitted via NESDIS.

Collection Method

Extracted NOAA regional surface reports from selected station networks, processed and archived by the FIFE Staff Science effort.

Time Range

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Freshness

Last updated dates conflict: 1988-10-23 (nasa_earthdata) and 2026-04-09 (datagov).

Geography

FIFE (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) study area and surrounding region.