Hi!

I wonder since when have we used SYNOP FM-12 data format? And what was
before it? Does anybody know that? Maybe there're any websites where I can
read about it? I would be greatful for any links.

Thanks in advance
P.

"Przemek" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I wonder since when have we used SYNOP FM-12 data format? And what was
before it? Does anybody know that? Maybe there're any websites where I
can
read about it? I would be greatful for any links.


.... can't give 'chapter and verse' on exact dates etc., but just to
start the ball rolling, I can remember taking part in the International
trials of plotting the code (it was all manual with double-coloured pens
then) in the late 1960's (I *think* 1969, but not absolutely sure), and
the code as we now know it came into use early 1970's. It replaced what
we used to know as the 'Washington' code, which was agreed sometime in
the late 1940's (?1949) when WMO was up and running. Others may be able
to come in with better information etc.

Martin.

On Thu, 8 Apr 2004 19:46:01 +0100, "Martin Rowley"
wrote:


"Przemek" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I wonder since when have we used SYNOP FM-12 data format? And what was
before it? Does anybody know that? Maybe there're any websites where I
can
read about it? I would be greatful for any links.


... can't give 'chapter and verse' on exact dates etc., but just to
start the ball rolling, I can remember taking part in the International
trials of plotting the code (it was all manual with double-coloured pens
then) in the late 1960's (I *think* 1969, but not absolutely sure), and
the code as we now know it came into use early 1970's. It replaced what
we used to know as the 'Washington' code, which was agreed sometime in
the late 1940's (?1949) when WMO was up and running. Others may be able
to come in with better information etc.

1969 was about right - I plotted both and also took part in the
trials. Best part of the new code was the temps in tenths of a
degree.

Martin


Martin.

You could check out the WMO website. There may be something useful in their
Library section.

http://www.wmo.ch/web/arep/lib1/homepage.html


--
Bernard Burton
Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.


Satellite images at:
www.btinternet.com/~wokingham.weather/wwp.html
"Przemek" wrote in message
...
Hi!

I wonder since when have we used SYNOP FM-12 data format? And what was
before it? Does anybody know that? Maybe there're any websites where I can
read about it? I would be greatful for any links.

Thanks in advance
P.

I have read that the SYNOPs we get have been run continously via GTS
since 1982.
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center archives of monthly-derived synoptic
data go back to September 1982, which lends some credence to this
claim.

"Darrell H" wrote in message
om...
I have read that the SYNOPs we get have been run continously via GTS
since 1982.
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center archives of monthly-derived synoptic
data go back to September 1982, which lends some credence to this
claim.

.... thinking about my original reply, I think you are right and I'm
wrong about the *operational* implementation of the code. I'm happy with
the 1969 trials, but I was observing / coding into SYRED (SYnop REDuced)
code, an abbreviated form of the older code, until at least 1979!
(Formerly called, in the UK at least, AERO).

The SYRED code was in the format Nddff VVwwW etc., which is the same
format as the older 'Washington' code. SYRED was not needed once FM12
was introduced, because if you didn't report all elements, you simply
missed them out. This would put the change much later that I indicated,
and 1982 sounds quite reasonable.

I remember thinking that the 'new' code was making life difficult for
plotters - in the old code, you could plot the present weather, then the
visibility immediately to the left of it, and didn't have to think too
hard about the space left for the former (VVww being next to each
other). In the 'new' code, either you had to plot in code-order (i.e.
visibility then weather), but leave enough gap for the latter - it was
several groups further on), or skip to the weather, plot that, then go
back to the group containing the VV for visibility. Just took a
micro-second longer, but when you were plotting a Northern Hemisphere
chart, it took time! Fortunately, all this became irrelevant as about
the same time (at least in the UK), drum plotters took over the task of
plotting charts - but outstations still plotted their own for local use.

I've been trying to find my notes on the changeover, but I suspect they
have gone the way of all things ;-)

The Met Office national archive holds (for the UK) all the observing
registers for that time, and you could try emailing them (
) and they might have a look at the Registers about
the time to see when the code form changed.

Martin.

"Martin Rowley" wrote in message
...

"Darrell H" wrote in message
om...
I have read that the SYNOPs we get have been run continously via
GTS
since 1982.
NOAA's Climate Prediction Center archives of monthly-derived
synoptic
data go back to September 1982, which lends some credence to
this
claim.

... thinking about my original reply, I think you are right and
I'm
wrong about the *operational* implementation of the code. I'm
happy with
the 1969 trials, but I was observing / coding into SYRED (SYnop
REDuced)
code, an abbreviated form of the older code, until at least 1979!
(Formerly called, in the UK at least, AERO).

Yes, the first SYNOP message (FM11) must have been introduced
on 1st Jan 1960 ... that's when the DWR changed, anyway. In the UK
it started with temperatures reported in degF, though this changed
to
degC on 1st Jan 1961. Curious that. I wonder whether the change
was planned to happen at the same time as the introduction of of
the SYNOP but got delayed for some political reason.

The change to SYNOP (FM12) did indeed happen on 1st Jan
1982. I was surprised how quickly we all got used to it.

By the way, what's the latest on the planned change from
alphanumeric
to highspeed binary transmission?

Philip Eden

http://www.wetter-software.de/wxchart.pdf