Wind Profiler Demonstration Network GPS (WPDNGPS)

Information updated on December 4, 2006, 7:59 pm GMT


General Data Description

The GPS-Met Observing Systems Branch of NOAA develops and assesses techniques to measure atmospheric water vapor using ground-based Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. The branch was formed in response to the need for improved moisture observations to support weather forecasting, climate monitoring, and research. The primary goals of the branch are to demonstrate the major aspects of an operational GPS integrated precipitable water vapor (IPW) monitoring system, facilitate assessments of the impact of these data on weather forecasts, assist in the transition of these techniques to operational use, and encourage the use of GPS meteorology for atmospheric research and other applications.

Note that these data were originally provided by NOAA's WPDN.

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Data Stream Names

Measurement Description

NOAA provides 30 minute averages of precipitable water vapor derived from Global Positioning Systems (GPS) . On January 9, 1997, NOAA began processing the data themselves; prior to that the data were processed by Scripps.

  • station name
  • station number
  • station latitude and longitude (degrees)
  • station altitude (meters Above Mean Sea Level)
  • water vapor (centimeters)
  • pressure used for PWV calculations (millibars)
  • temperature used for calculation (Centigrade*)
  • total GPS signal delay (meters)
  • dry component GPS signal delay (meters)
  • wet component GPS signal delay (meters) **
  • formal error (centimeters)
  • relative humidity (percent)***
  • Type of surface measurements++

* Units of temperature were Kelvin before March 07, 2003.
** only appears in data beginning January 9, 1997.
*** only appears in data beginning December 9, 2001.
++ only appears in data beginning April 9, 2003.

Temporal Coverage

Data begin on January 1, 1996.

Data Stream Inputs

sgp30wpdngpsX1.00

Notification Form Link

sgp30wpdngpsX1 notification form

Contacts

Data Source

  • Institution
    • Data are provided by NOAA Global Systems Division

Acronyms

GPSGlobal Positioning System
GSDGlobal Systems Division
NOAANational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
PWV Precipitable Water Vapor
SGPSouthern Great Plains
WPDNWind Profiler Demonstration Network