date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:48:53 +0100
from: Ian Harris <i.harris@uea.ac.uk>
subject: WMO Code adjustments
to: dave lister <d.lister@uea.ac.uk>, Phil Jones <p.jones@uea.ac.uk>

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Hi

Well I suppose it was too much to hope for that I could work late  
tonight and pass a milestone.

I've just tried to integrate the CLIMAT/MCDW combined update file for  
rd0 with the existing 'wet' database.

I have found that, where 5-digit WMO codes have been expanded to six  
digits, they are clashing with existing WMO codes.

Example:

NANCY/ESSEY is listed as having a WMO code of 07180. However, the  
header in the combined update file is:

718000 4868   622  217NANCY/ESSEY         FRANCE        
20002006        -7777777

I assume this is due to '71800' being shifted left. Unfortunately,  
718000 is an existing code in the 'wet' database:

  718000  4665  -5306   28 CAPE RACE (MARS)     CANADA        1920  
1969   -999     -999

CAPE RACE is listed as having a WMO code of 71800. Both listings are  
here:

http://hadobs.metoffice.com/hadslp2/hadslp2_stations.dat

              Nancy.Esse   07180  1951  2003   4868    621  225
               Cape.Race   71800  1921  1966   4665  -5307   28


This is just one example - there are others. Since many of the Update  
stations do not have any metadata apart from their WMO codes, this is  
a problem!

Now to the big question - is it safe for me to shift any update  
station ending '00' one place to the right? Or am I going to have to  
modify the matching routines to examine all possible orders of  
magnitude when comparing WMO codes?

Cheers

Harry
Ian "Harry" Harris
Climatic Research Unit
School of Environmental Sciences
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
United Kingdom


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