Notes on Surface Maps

Hourly METARs are decoded using weather. Plots are generally available by :20 after the hour.

Variables plotted include:

1. Visibility (statute miles; whenever there is an obscuration to visibility) and current weather (standard symbol or METAR code);
2. Sky coverage (FEW/SCT/BKN/OVC);
3. Height of ceiling, or lowest cloud if no ceiling (100s ft, written to the lower right of the station circle).
4. Temperature and dew-point (deg F; decoded to nearest 0.1 deg C in some instances);
5. Wind (speed in knots, with gusts written above the station circle; missing or variable winds not plotted);
6. Sea-level pressure (mb).

Notes:

1. Sky obscured (VVnnn) is not handled by the METAR decoder; in this case the sky coverage symbol will be missing ("M").
2. In some instances, the data for selected fields (T, Td, SLP) will be collected from consecutive METARs within the valid time range. This is so that fields that may have been given in an earlier report but are missing from a more recent special report may be plotted.
3. Access to recent Oklahoma Mesonet plots is restricted. Contact the Oklahoma Climatological Survey for subscription information.
4. Please report any problems using the contact information listed below.

Other servers of interest: NCAR/RAP, NCEP