MesoWest Data Request Form

This form is intended to help the MesoWest staff respond more efficiently to requests for data. Once we receive the completed form, we may be able to direct you to ways to obtain the data using existing data tools. Otherwise, we will attempt to fulfill simple data requests as quickly as possible. More complicated requests will be done as time and resources permit. See our Frequently Asked Questions section below.

Requests for data from the NWS/FAA network (METAR), as well as the RAWS network will NOT be filled. More complete archives of these datasets are available elsewhere. The official repository for METAR data is the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov). The official repository for RAWS data is Western Region Climate Center (http://www.wrcc.dri.edu). The network is on the Mesowest Station Interface in the lefthand box, under 'Data Courtesy of' (for example, http://www.met.utah.edu/cgi-bin/droman/meso_base.cgi?stn=WBB).

The user assumes the entire risk related to use of MesoWest data.The Cooperative Institute for Regional Prediction (CIRP) provides the data "as is" and in no event shall the providers be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, damages resulting from lost data or lost profits or revenue, the costs of recovering such data, the costs of substitute data, claims by third parties or for other similar costs, or any special, incidental, or consequential damages, arising out of the use of the data. The accuracy or reliability of the data is not guaranteed or warranted in any way and the Providers disclaim liability of any kind whatsoever, including, without limitation, liability for quality, performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose arising out of the use, or inability to use the data.

As required by 17 U.S.C. 403, third parties producing copyrighted works consisting predominantly of the material appearing in NWS Web pages must provide notice with such work(s) identifying the NWS material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection.

Data Fields
List the geographic area of interest (or the specific MesoWest station IDs, if known): Requests for data from the NWS/FAA network (METAR), as well as the RAWS network will NOT be filled.
Enter the specific period of time for which the data request will be:
List the meteorological parameters you are requesting:
Contact Information
Enter your Name:
Enter your Company or Institution Name (if applicable):
Enter your mailing address:
Enter your phone number:
Enter your email address:
Data Usage
What is the intended use of the MesoWest data?
Will the use of the data involve litigation?
Will the use of the data involve scientific research?
Who will benefit as a result of your use of the MesoWest data?
Will you be charging for use of data or derived products from the MesoWest data?

Click to submit your application form. Click to clear your application form or to start over.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How long will it take to fill my request? Data requests are filled as time and staff allow, but usually a couple of weeks. During busy periods, perhaps a month or more.
Why does it take so long? Filling data requests is a public service by the MesoWest team. This takes time away from funded research projects. There is currently no funding to support data retrieval.
Is there any way to speed up the process? Those customers that submit multiple requests over a prolonged period are invited to join the CIRP consortium at a $5000 annual membership. If we receive financial support from a customer, we will expedite data delivery.
How can I check up on the status of my request? Use email: meteo-mesowest@lists.utah.edu
In what format does the data come? For those customers that have joined the CIRP consortium, we would format the data to their specifications. Otherwise, the data will be written to a plain text/ASCII file. Below is an example of a data file.

       PARM = TMPF;RELH;SKNT;DRCT;GUST;P01I;P03I;SNOW
   
   
       CDC,970101/0355,42.8,65.37,0,0,-9999,0,-9999,-9999
       CDC,970101/0450,42.8,70.27,0,0,-9999,0,-9999,-9999
       CDC,970101/0545,41,75.32,0,0,-9999,0,-9999,-9999

The data is comma-delimited. The first item is the MesoWest station ID. The second item is the time of the observation given in the format yymmdd/hhmm. The time is reported in UTC (GMT), not local time! Following the time stamp are the weather variables as given in the "PARM" statement which appears at the begining of the block of data. If a data request includes multiple stations or spans a year boundary, there will be a new "PARM" statement at the beginning of each block of data. Click here for an explanation of database variables (TMPF,SKNT,etc.). Missing data is coded as "-9999".

How will I get my data? If the request is small, we can send it via email. Otherwise, it will be placed on our ftp directory. Click here to view/access the ftp directory.