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Metadata Weather Data Management

NOAA's National Climatic Data Centers (NCDC) Weather Data Management (WDM) Stations Point Locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Identification Information
Data Quality Information
Spatial Data Organization Information
Spatial Reference Information
Entity and Attribute Information
Distribution Information
Metadata Reference Information
Text Version

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Identification_Information:

Citation:

Citation_Information:

Originator: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Water/OST

Publication_Date: 20070611

Title:

NOAA's National Climatic Data Centers (NCDC) Weather Data Management (WDM) Stations Point Locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Publication_Information:

Publication_Place: Washington, D.C.
Publisher: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Online_Linkage:

For BASINS model and data <https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/ceam/better-assessment-science-integrating-point-and-non-point-sources-basins>
For further documentation and information <http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/> Exit

Description:

Abstract:

This data set provides a location map in ARCVIEW Shapefile format of WDM stations for the entire United States and US territories. The spatial data was prepared from the NCDC Hourly Precipitation database available from EarthInfo, Inc. <http://www.earthinfo.com/earthinfo/> Exit The shapefile is prepared and distributed by EPA regions or states.

For distribution with BASINS v.2.0, the spatial attributes of the database were prepared in Arcview shape file format while selected relational attributes were prepared in Arcview DBF file format.

Purpose:

The dataset is intended to provide the user with information to aid in the identification of the WDM station, sources of meteorological data, and the period of record for which the data is available, as well as additional WDM files's where the WDM station information is located.

Supplemental_Information:

In addition, several other ArcView coverages were used to aid in the selection of WDM weather stations. These included:

A coverage of the U.S. state boundaries provided by ESRI on-line ArcData <https://livingatlas.arcgis.com/en/home/ > Exit

A coverage of annual precipitation for North America provided by ESRI on-line ArcData. This data set was intended as a thematic data layer representing average annual precipitation, in millimeters per year, for North America.

A coverage of Climate Divisions provided by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) <http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov>. Exit This coverage was used to display seasonal maps of precipitation and temperature for the conterminous United States.

A coverage of Hydrologic Unit Boundaries and Codes provided by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). This data set was used to display drainage basins for the conterminous United States.

A coverage of Physiographic Divisions in the conterminous United States provided by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). It was automated from Fennemans 1:7,000,000-scale map, "Physical Divisions of the United States," which is based on eight major divisions, 25 provinces, and 86 sections representing distinctive areas having common topography, rock types and structure, and geologic and geomorphic history.

A coverage of average annual runoff in the conterminous United States, 1951-1980 provided by the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). This coverage is intended as a thematic data layer representing average annual runoff, in inches per year, for the conterminous United States. Appropriate maps of the data can show the geographical distribution of runoff in tributary streams for the years 1951-80 and can describe the magnitudes and variations of runoff nationwide. The data was prepared to reflect the runoff of tributary streams rather than in major rivers in order to represent more accurately the local or small scale variation in runoff with precipitation and other geographical characteristics.

Intended use of data: This data set was prepared to support the U.S. EPA BASINS (Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources) System, Version 2.0.

Time_Period_of_Content:

Time_Period_Information:

Range_of_Dates/Times:

Beginning_Date: 1970
Ending_Date: 1997

Currentness_Reference: 19970400

Status:

Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As Needed

Spatial_Domain:

Bounding_Coordinates:

West_Bounding_Coordinate: -170.2167
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64.7833
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 64.8167
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 17.7167

Keywords:

Theme:

Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Theme_Keyword: Shellfish Register

Place:

Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: Geographic Names Information System
Place_Keyword: Conterminous United States of America (CONUS)
Place_Keyword: Puerto Rico PR
Place_Keyword: U.S. Virgin Islands VI
Place_Keyword: Alabama AL
Place_Keyword: Alaska AK
Place_Keyword: Arizona AZ
Place_Keyword: Arkansas AR
Place_Keyword: California CA
Place_Keyword: Colorado CO
Place_Keyword: Connecticut CT
Place_Keyword: Delaware DE
Place_Keyword: District of Columbia DC
Place_Keyword: Florida FL
Place_Keyword: Georgia GA
Place_Keyword: Hawaii HI
Place_Keyword: Idaho ID
Place_Keyword: Illinois IL
Place_Keyword: Indiana IN
Place_Keyword: Iowa IA
Place_Keyword: Kansas KS
Place_Keyword: Kentucky KY
Place_Keyword: Louisiana LA
Place_Keyword: Maine ME
Place_Keyword: Maryland MD
Place_Keyword: Massachusetts MA
Place_Keyword: Michigan MI
Place_Keyword: Minnesota MN
Place_Keyword: Mississippi MS
Place_Keyword: Missouri MO
Place_Keyword: Montana MT
Place_Keyword: Nebraska NE
Place_Keyword: Nevada NV
Place_Keyword: New Hampshire NH
Place_Keyword: New Jersey NJ
Place_Keyword: New Mexico NM
Place_Keyword: New York NY
Place_Keyword: North Carolina NC
Place_Keyword: North Dakota ND
Place_Keyword: Ohio OH
Place_Keyword: Oklahoma OK
Place_Keyword: Oregon OR
Place_Keyword: Pennsylvania PA
Place_Keyword: Rhode Island RI
Place_Keyword: South Carolina SC
Place_Keyword: South Dakota SD
Place_Keyword: Tennessee TN
Place_Keyword: Texas TX
Place_Keyword: Utah UT
Place_Keyword: Vermont VT
Place_Keyword: Virginia VA
Place_Keyword: Washington WA
Place_Keyword: West Virginia WV
Place_Keyword: Wisconsin WI
Place_Keyword: Wyoming WY

Access_Constraints: None

Use_Constraints: None

Native_Data_Set_Environment: ArcView 3.x Shapefiles

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Data_Quality_Information:

Logical_Consistency_Report: Point features present.

Completeness_Report: See Supplemental_Information

Lineage:

Process_Step:

Process_Description:

The BASINS WDM station data for the U.S. and U.S. territories is created through processing of the NCDC station data obtained from the EarthInfo, Inc. database and NOAA station data obtained from the SAMSON Solar and Meteorological Surface Observational Network database. Spatial point coverages for the entire U.S. and U.S. territories from these databases are created from CSV formatted files imported into ArcView. The coverages were then reprojected from Albers Conic Equal Area projection NAD83 to geographic decimal degrees NAD83.

For distribution with BASINS v2.0, the WDM station thematic map was split into a series of themes (shapefiles) that included the spatial extent of each of the ten U.S. EPA Regions. Additionally WDM stations which bordered an EPA region or contained within 8-digit hydrologic units that crossed region boundaries were also included.

Process_Date: 19980218

Process_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: Tetra Tech, Inc.

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: Mailing Address
Address: 10306 Eaton Place, Suite 340
City: Fairfax
State_or_Province: Virginia
Postal_Code: 22030
Country: USA

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 703-385-6000

Contact_Instructions: See Distributor_Information

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Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:

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Spatial_Reference_Information:

Horizontal_Coordinate_System_Definition:

Geographic:

Latitude_Resolution: 0.0001
Longitude_Resolution: 0.0001
Geographic_Coordinate_Units: Decimal Degrees

Geodetic_Model:

Horizontal_Datum_Name: North American Datum of 1983
Ellipsoid_Name: Geodetic Reference System 80
Semi-major_Axis: 6378137
Denominator_of_Flattening_Ratio: 298.257

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Entity_and_Attribute_Information:

Detailed_Description:

Entity_Type:

Entity_Type_Label: WDM.DBF
Entity_Type_Definition: WDM Station attribute table
Entity_Type_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: STA_NAME

Attribute_Definition:

National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) assigned station name

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 23
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: STATE

Attribute_Definition: state's 2 digit postal code

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 2
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: COOP_ID

Attribute_Definition:

a cooperative index number betwee 1-9999, assigned by EarthInfo, Inc.

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: NWS_ID

Attribute_Definition:

stations Weather Bureau Army Navy (WBAN) Number

Attribute_Definition_Source:

NOAA's Solar and Meteorological Surface Observational Network database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 5
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: NOAA's Solar and Meteorological Surface Observational Network reference document

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LAT_DD

Attribute_Definition: latitude of NCDC weather station

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 8
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: LONG_DD

Attribute_Definition: longitude of NCDC weather station

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 9
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: ELEV_FT

Attribute_Definition: elevation of NCDC weather station

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: BEGIN_DATE

Attribute_Definition:

first month, day, and year of the period of record

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 8
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: END_DATE

Attribute_Definition:

last month, day, and year of the period of record

Attribute_Definition_Source:

EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation database

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 8
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_PRCP

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly precipitation data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 9
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: Character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_EVAP

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly evaporation data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 10
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_ATEM

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly temperature data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_WIND

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly windspeed data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_SOLR

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly solar radiation data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 10
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_PEVT

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly potential evapotranspiration data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 10
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_DEWP

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly dew point temperature data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Attribute:

Attribute_Label: DATA_CLOU

Attribute_Definition:

column denoting the database containing hourly cloud cover data

Attribute_Definition_Source: Assigned

Attribute_Domain_Values:

Enumerated_Domain:

Enumerated_Domain_Value: 4
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition: character ID values
Enumerated_Domain_Value_Definition_Source:: EarthInfo's NCDC Hourly and Fifteen Minute Precipitation reference manual

Overview_Description:

Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:: The WDM.DBF polygon attribute table contains all the attributes and values needed to display graphically location of the WDM stations. The items in WDM.DBF are listed, defined, and described in the section above.
Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: See Entity_and_Attribute_Information

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Distribution_Information:

Distributor:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary:

Contact_Organization: USEPA Office of Water/OST Basins

Contact_Address:

Address_Type: mailing address
Address: 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW (4305T)
City: Washington
State_or_Province: District of Columbia
Postal_Code: 20460

Contact_Voice_Telephone: 202-566-0400

Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 202-566-0409

Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: basins@epa.gov

Hours_of_Service: 9-3 EST

Distribution_Liability:

Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system under contract to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), no warranty expressed or implied is made by the USEPA regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. The USEPA will warrant the delivery of this product in computer-readable format.

Standard_Order_Process:

Digital_Form:

Digital_Transfer_Information:

Format_Name:: Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) ArcView Shapefile

Digital_Transfer_Option:

Online_Option:

Computer_Contact_Information:

Network_Address:

Network_Resource_Name: <https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/ceam/better-assessment-science-integrating-point-and-non-point-sources-basins>

Offline_Option:

Offline_Media: CD-ROM
Recording_Format: ISO 9660

Fees: None

Ordering_Instructions:

When requesting data by phone or mail, please inquire about spatial data sets that work with Better Assessment Science Integrating Point and Nonpoint Sources (BASINS). The BASINS web page has instructions for downloading datasets. It also has a link to The National Center for Environmental Publications and Information (NCEPI), from which BASINS CD-ROMs may be ordered. Each CD-ROM contains the BASINS v2.0 Application and this data set along with others covering the spatial extent of an EPA Region.

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Metadata_Reference_Information:

Metadata_Date: 20070611

Metadata_Contact:

Contact_Information:

Contact_Organization_Primary: