Plotting of TCU & CB on METARs

This is the place to get help with Digital Atmosphere, suggest improvements, and get tips.
Post Reply
PhilLayton
Member
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:49 pm

Plotting of TCU & CB on METARs

Post by PhilLayton »

Tim,

With the loss of SFLOC data, is it possible for Digital Atmosphere to plot the TCU and CB from METARs - perhaps with a distinctive colour ?

Regards

Phil
Wally Mayo
Senior Member
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 11:36 pm
Location: Roanoke, VA
Contact:

Post by Wally Mayo »

I don't know the protocols for Europe, but for the US ...
METARS usually don't have that info, since the modernization. Cloud groups are only still encoded by military METAR stations. Those WILL plot, though - doing the cloud group such as 8/210 (always starts with an 8 and /).
PhilLayton
Member
Posts: 35
Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2004 12:49 pm

Post by PhilLayton »

I am surprised that US METARs do not show CBs.

Here's todays from London Heathrow:

EGLL 111120Z 20016KT 9999 8000SW VCTS SCT029CB SCT041 12/04 Q0994 TEMPO 4000 +TSRA BKN015CB

the TCU and CB are appended to the cloud amount and height.

Phil
Wally Mayo
Senior Member
Posts: 251
Joined: Thu Feb 05, 2004 11:36 pm
Location: Roanoke, VA
Contact:

Post by Wally Mayo »

Ooops, yes, actually US METAR obs do have CBs in the cloud altitude area just like your example. No TCU stuff though, except at military locations (TCU N-SE anyone?).

It may only be at augmented stations, though.
Post Reply