Data Types
39 data types are being digitized from the early American weather observations.
Thirty-nine data types were identified for digitization in the CDMP 19th Century Forts and Voluntary Observers Database Build Project. A series of quality control tests and procedures were applied to the digitized data to assure that it accurately represents the observations recorded on the original documents. A comprehensive set of metadata was developed to complement the data set. These metadata help document changes in instrumentation and observation practices by identifying changes in the forms used by the observers. The metadata includes detailed information about each station as recorded on the forms, such as station name and location, and barometer correction and other instrument adjustments, when available. Due to changes in instrumentation and observation practices over time, as well as changes in the location of stations, it will not be possible to simply add the digitized data on to the beginning of the more recent observations at the same stations. Analysis will be necessary to determine the stability of the observation techniques to a particular application.
| Temperature: | at-hour, maximum, minimum daily mean, daily range dry bulb, wet bulb, dew point, relative humidity |
|---|---|
| Barometric Pressure: | uncorrected, corrected for temperature adjusted to sea level temperature from attached thermometer |
| Precipitation: | total precipitation, snowfall, snow depth melted snow, precipitation type (rain or snow) time of beginning, time of ending |
| Wind: | wind force, direction, velocity maximum wind direction, maximum wind velocity total wind movement |
| Clouds: | clearness of sky, cloud amount cloud type, direction, velocity |
| River Gauge Height: | gauge height, gauge height daily change |
| Surface Water Temperature: | surface water temperature, bottom water temperature surface air temperature, depth to bottom |
| State of the Weather: | state of the weather, character of the day |