The data in this dataset is in the df format, a format internal to NASA/GSFC Atmospheric Chemistry and Dynamics Branch (ACDB) (Code 916). Those who are unfamilar with the df format should use the CPC/ACDB Analyses in GrADS format.
The CPC/ACDB analyses are a combination of several individual analyses. The data are on a global 5 lon x 2 lat grid, at 18 pressure levels, up to .4 hPa. Click here to see more information about these analyses.
These data are converted to GrADS format in near
real-time at the Goddard
DAAC. Click here to get
recent analyses via anonymous FTP.
History
Click here to see more information about these analyses.
These df data files are generated every morning in Code 916 for the
previous day's data. Eric Nash is the one resposible for this
automatic production of these data.
Contents
The data are created daily in df format.
The data are gridded 5 lon x 2 lat (72 x 91). There are 18 pressure levels in the 3D files, they are: 1000, 850, 700, 500, 400, 300, 250, 200, 150, 100, 70, 50, 30, 10, 5, 2, 1, and 0.4 mb.
In all cases, each field is in it's own file. There is one file per field per day. It represents a 12Z analysis for that day. The data starts November 26th, 1979, and runs to the present. There will be 15 full years of data at the end of this year.
Name Levels Description Z___ 18 Geopotential Height T___ 18 Temperature UBAL 18 Balanced Zonal Wind VBAL 18 Balanced Meridional Wind EPBL 18 Ertel's Potential Vorticity from Measured winds RVBL 18 Relative Vorticity from Balanced Winds PTRP 1 Tropopause Pressure TTRP 1 Tropopause Temperature
The df format is a 916 general data format that employs packing. The data in df format only take half as much space as the data in either HDF or GrADS format.
These data reside on disk in Code 916, physically on scratchy, but
mounted across the 916 workstations. The directories are:
/science/nmc/met_fields/data/GG5X2/Yyy/Mmm
where the data files have names like:
T___I87050112_GG5X2_X_E01.NMC
Recall that each parameter comes in it's own daily files. There are two 2D parameters (tropopause temperature and tropopause pressure) and six 3D paramters.
daily monthly yearly 15 years
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any 2D parameter 15 KB .5 MB 5.3 MB 0.08 GB
any 3D parameter 238 KB 7.2 MB 85.5 MB 1.35 GB
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all parameters 1 458 KB 44.2 MB 523.6 MB 8.26 GB
This df format dataset
is not intended for general distribution. Those interested in these
data should try the CPC/ACDB Analyses in
GrADS format, at least some of which is available via anonymous
ftp.
Current Status
This dataset is being extended daily at the NASA/GSFC Atmospheric Chemistry
and Dynamics Branch (ACDB) (Code 916).
Future Plans
These data will continue to be generated into the forseeable future.