Acquiring the NDAAC data held at the BADC

This file contains background information to help you get the NDACC data held at the BADC.

1. Before you start
2. Checking the archive
3. Transferring data from the BADC
4. Reading the data files

1. Before you start

The BADC holds NDACC data in NASA Ames format — an ASCII based file format which incorporates a number of self describing data formats. This file format, which has been used by a number of measurement campaigns is documented at BADC in the NASA Ames Format page, based on the document written by S.E. Gaines and R.S. Hipskind.

2. Checking the archive

The NDACC archive directories can be browsed using the web at /badc/ndsc/. All data, documentation and software are located beneath this directory. Here you will find a README file and the following subdirectories.

• data – contains the data files in the following subdirectories
  • ncep – NCEP reanalysed height and temperature above NDSC stations
  • ndsc – NDACC data sorted out by station name

  We suggest that you look here to check whether the data you require is available (a summary of all NDACC data is also available from the NDACC web site at http://www.ndsc.ncep.noaa.gov/get_data/data.html). Public NDACC data can be directly downloaded from the BADC archive via the Web. If you are an NDACC investigator and need access to NDACC data that are still restricted (signalled by a yellow key), please apply for access to the NDACC data.

• doc – contains documentation from BADC and NDACC:
  • BADC_documentation.html – link to the NDACC front page at BADC
  • meta – under this directory sit the metadata pertaining to NDACC data
  • protocol – contains NDACC data protocols
  
  
• software – contains the example read routines and any 3rd party software available

3. Transferring data from the BADC

Once you have found the files you require, use the File key of your Web browser and the Save as option to retrieve them.
Alternatively, you can use ftp (ftp.ceda.ac.uk) to retrieve the files.
Online help on retrieving files (by both methods) is available from the BADC.

4. Reading the data files

4.1 The file structure

4.2 The Access Routines

A set of FORTRAN subroutines to read the AMES data are available from the NDACC software directory at the BADC. These are the routines supplied by the programme team which should compile and run on the majority of platforms. A set of access routines written in IDL by the programme team is also available.