Table 5.  Code table for PREPBUFR report types used by upper-air Rapid Update Cycle (RUC) 3DVAR analysis (last revised 1/4/2012).
 

Key:

     In the "Report Type" column, a  GREEN report type means that report type can be found in the PREPBUFR file.  A RED report type means that report type is currently never found in the PREPBUFR file.  An "R" after the report type means this type is restricted with respect to redistribution outside of NCEP for some amount of time.

     In the "Description" and "Note" columns, observation types are designated as follows:
          altm - altimeter setting
          Cc - total cloud cover
          Ch - cloud height
          Cp - cloud top pressure
          Ct - cloud top temperature
          elev - elevation
          p - vertical coordinate pressure
          Palt - pressure altitude
          Pstn - station (surface) pressure
          PWl - layer precipitable water
          PWt - total column precipitable water
          q - specific humidity
          rr - rain rate
          Tb - brightness temperature
          Td - dewpoint temperature
          Ts - sensible (dry bulb) temperature
          Tv - virtual temperature
          u, v - u- and v-components of wind
          vsb - visibility
          wdir - wind direction
          wspd - wind speed
          WXp - present weather
          z - vertical coordinate height
          Zp - geopotential height
          
     In the "Note" column, GREEN lines refer to observation types that end up being used by the assimilating analysis, while RED lines refer to observation types (or entire reports) that are not used by the assimilating analysis due to the reason(s) given.  BLACK lines refer to informational material.
   
     
MASS REPORTS
Report Type PREPBUFR Message Type Description Note
111 SYNDAT SYNTHETIC (BOGUS) TROPICAL CYCLONE STORM CENTER - q, Pstn Not created (SYNDAT_SYNDATA processing switched off) 
120 ADPUPA RAWINSONDE - Ts, Td, Pstn, Zp Ts, Td, Pstn, Zp used by assimilation
122 ADPUPA CLASS SOUNDING - Ts, Td, Pstn, Zp Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR

These data are rarely available.
126 RASSDA RASS [FROM NOAA PROFILER NETWORK (NPN) OR MULTI-AGENCY PROFILER (MAP) NETWORK]  - Tv Tv used by assimilation
130 AIRCFT AIREP AND PIREP AIRCRAFT - Ts Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
131
R		 AIRCFT ASDAR AIRCRAFT - Ts Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
132 ADPUPA FLIGHT-LEVEL RECONNAISSANCE AND PROFILE DROPSONDE - Ts, Td, Pstn, Palt Td (drops), Pstn (drops) [and surface level Ts (drops), surface level Td (drops)] flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards

Ts (drops, above surface; reccos), Td (reccos), Palt (reccos) used by assimilation
133
R		 AIRCAR MDCRS ACARS AIRCRAFT - Ts, q Ts used by assimilation

q flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards
134
R		 AIRCFT TAMDAR (Mesaba, PenAir, Chautauqua) AIRCRAFT - Ts, q Ts, q used by assimilation

q flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards but RUC2_HYBFRONT does not honor this quality mark!

As of November 18, 2011, the NWS contract with AirDat for TAMDAR data ended and was not renewed due to cost increases.  As a result these data are no longer available. 
135
R		 AIRCFT CANADIAN AMDAR AIRCRAFT - Ts Ts used by assimilation
150 SPSSMI SSM/I SUPEROBED (1 DEGREE LAT/LON) FNMOC (OPERATIONAL) RAIN RATE (DMSP) - rr Not dumped
151 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V CLOUD TOP PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE; CLOUD AMOUNT (GOES) - Cp, Cc, Ct GOES-15 Cp, Cc, Ct used by assimilation


GOES-13 Cp, Cc, Ct flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards
152 SPSSMI SSM/I SUPEROBED (1 DEGREE LAT/LON) FNMOC (OPERATIONAL) PRECIPITABLE WATER OVER OCEAN (DMSP) - PWt PWt used by assimilation

The SSM/I F-13 satellite went bad in November 2009 resulting in no data being processed.  The empty dumps were turned off and the PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards were set to no longer process these data in October 2010.
153 GPSIPW GPS-INTEGRATED PRECIPITABLE WATER (GPS-IPW) - PWt, Pstn PWt, Pstn used by assimilation
156 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V 4-LAYER PRECIPITABLE WATER OVER LAND - CLEAR (GOES) - PWl, Pstn Entire report tossed by RUC2_HYBFRONT
157 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V 4-LAYER PRECIPITABLE WATER OVER LAND - CLOUDY (GOES) - PWl, Pstn Not produced by NESDIS
158 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V 4-LAYER PRECIPITABLE WATER OVER OCEAN - CLEAR (GOES) - PWl, Pstn GOES-15 PWl, Pstn used by assimilation

GOES-13 PWl, Pstn flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards
159 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V 4-LAYER PRECIPITABLE WATER OVER OCEAN - CLOUDY (GOES) - PWl, Pstn Not produced by NESDIS
164 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V RADIANCES OVER LAND - CLEAR (GOES) - Tb Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
165 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V RADIANCES OVER LAND - CLOUDY (GOES) - Tb Not produced by NESDIS
174 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V RADIANCES OVER OCEAN - CLEAR (GOES) - Tb Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
175 GOESND NESDIS 1x1 F-O-V RADIANCES OVER OCEAN - CLOUDY (GOES) - Tb Not produced by NESDIS
180
(R - U.S. & JMA SHIPS)		 SFCSHP SURFACE MARINE WITH REPORTED STATION PRESSURE (SHIP, BUOY, C-MAN, TIDE GAUGE) - Ts, Td, q, Pstn Tv, Td, q, Pstn used by assimilation
181
(R -
WMO Res 40 SYNOPS		 ADPSFC SURFACE LAND [SYNOPTIC, METARS (< 7.5 M ELEV, I.E., COASTAL)] WITH REPORTED STATION PRESSURE (METAR ALSO HAS REPORTED ALTIMETER SETTING) - Ts, Td, q, Pstn, altm, elev, WXp, vsb, Cc, Ch All METARS:

altm converted to Pstn by RUC2_HYBFRONT

Ts, Td, q, Pstn, elev, WXp, vsb, Cc, Ch used by assimilation
SYNOPS with reported elev within 20 meters of background (RUC) surface elev:

background (RUC) pressure set to Pstn by RUC2_HYBFRONT

Ts, Td, q, Pstn, elev, WXp, vsb, Cc, Ch used by assimilation
SYNOPS with reported elev differing from background (RUC) surface elev by more than 20 meters:

Entire report tossed by RUC2_HYBFRONT
182 SFCSHP SPLASH-LEVEL DROPSONDE OVER OCEAN - Ts, Td, q, Pstn Tv, Td, q, Pstn used by assimilation
183
(R -
WMO Res 40 SYNOPS, U.S. & JMA SHIPS)		 ADPSFC,
SFCSHP		 SURFACE MARINE (SHIP, BUOY, C-MAN, TIDE GAUGE) OR LAND (SYNOPTIC, METAR) WITH MISSING ALTIMETER SETTING AND MISSING STATION PRESSURE - Ts, Td, q, elev, WXp, vsb,  Cc, Ch If reported elev within 20 meters of background (RUC) surface elev:

background (RUC) pressure set to Pstn by RUC2_HYBFRONT

Ts, Td, q, Pstn, elev, WXp, vsb, Cc, Ch used by assimilation
If reported elev differs from background (RUC) surface elev by more than 20 meters:

Entire report tossed by RUC2_HYBFRONT
187 ADPSFC SURFACE LAND METAR WITH REPORTED ALTIMETER SETTING AND MISSING STATION PRESSURE - Ts, Td, q, altm, elev, WXp, vsb, Cc, Ch altm converted to Pstn by RUC2_HYBFRONT

Ts, Td, q, Pstn, elev, WXp, vsb, Cc, Ch used by assimilation
188
R		 MSONET SURFACE MESONET - Ts, Td, q, Pstn, elev Ts, Td, q, Pstn, elev used by assimilation (based on "uselist"), but only once for each site in the dump (site with obs time closest to analysis time)
191 SFCBOG AUSTRALIAN PAOB MEAN SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE BOGUS OVER OCEAN - Pstn No longer produced

  

WIND REPORTS
Report Type PREPBUFR Message Type Description Note
210 SYNDAT SYNTHETIC (BOGUS) TROPICAL CYCLONE - u, v Not created (SYNDAT_SYNDATA processing switched off) 
220 ADPUPA RAWINSONDE - wspd, wdir, z wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v used by assimilation

p (vertical coordinate) calculated from z on winds-by-height levels.
221 ADPUPA PIBAL - u, v, z u, v used by assimilation

p (vertical coordinate) calculated from z.
222 ADPUPA CLASS SOUNDING - wspd, wdir, z Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR

These data are rarely available.
223 PROFLR NOAA PROFILER NETWORK (NPN) WIND PROFILER - u, v, z u, v used by assimilation

p (vertical coordinate) calculated from z.
224 VADWND NEXRAD VERTICAL AZIMUTH DISPLAY (VAD) - u, v, z u, v used by assimilation

p (vertical coordinate) calculated from z.
227 PROFLR MULTI-AGENCY PROFILER (MAP) AND ACOUSTIC SOUNDER (SODAR) - u, v, z Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
228 PROFLR JAPANESE METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY (JMA) WIND PROFILER - u, v, z Not dumped
229 PROFLR WIND PROFILER DECODED FROM PILOT (PIBAL) BULLETINS - u, v, z Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
230 AIRCFT AIREP AND PIREP AIRCRAFT - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
231
R		 AIRCFT ASDAR AIRCRAFT - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
232 ADPUPA FLIGHT-LEVEL RECONNAISSANCE AND PROFILE DROPSONDE - wspd, wdir, Palt wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v, Palt used by assimilation
233
R		 AIRCAR MDCRS ACARS AIRCRAFT - wspd, wdir, Palt wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v, Palt used by assimilation
234
R		 AIRCFT TAMDAR (Mesaba, PenAir, Chautauqua) AIRCRAFT - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_HYBFRONT (obs error artificially increased)

As of November 18, 2011, the NWS contract with AirDat for TAMDAR data ended and was not renewed due to cost increases.  As a result these data are no longer available. 
235
R		 AIRCFT CANADIAN AMDAR AIRCRAFT - wspd, wdir, Palt wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v, Palt used by assimilation
241 SATWND INDIA IR AND VISIBLE CLOUD DRIFT (ALL LEVELS) (INSAT, KALPANA) - u, v Not dumped
242 SATWND JMA IR AND VISIBLE CLOUD DRIFT AT LEVELS BELOW 850 MB (GMS, MTSAT) - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
243 SATWND EUMETSAT IR AND VISIBLE CLOUD DRIFT AT LEVELS BELOW 850 MB (METEOSAT) - u, v u, v from METEOSAT-9 flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards

Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
245 SATWND NESDIS IR CLOUD DRIFT (ALL LEVELS) (GOES) - u, v, Palt u, v, Palt used by assimilation
246 SATWND NESDIS IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - CLOUD TOP (GOES) - u, v, Palt u, v, Palt used by assimilation
247 SATWND NESDIS IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - DEEP LAYER (GOES) - u, v, Palt Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
248 SATWND NESDIS SOUNDER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - CLOUD TOP (GOES) - u,v Not dumped
249 SATWND NESDIS SOUNDER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - DEEP LAYER (GOES) - u, v Not dumped
250 SATWND JMA IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - CLOUD TOP & DEEP LAYER (GMS, MTSAT) - u, v u, v flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards

Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
251 SATWND NESDIS VISIBLE CLOUD DRIFT (ALL LEVELS) (GOES) - u, v, Palt u,v, Palt flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA  parm cards
252 SATWND JMA IR AND VISIBLE CLOUD DRIFT AT LEVELS ABOVE 850 MB (GMS, MTSAT) - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
253 SATWND EUMETSAT IR AND VISIBLE CLOUD DRIFT AT LEVELS ABOVE 850 MB (METEOSAT) - u, v u, v from METEOSAT-9 flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards

Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
254 SATWND EUMETSAT IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - CLOUD TOP & DEEP LAYER (METEOSAT) - u, v u, v flagged for non-use by assimilation by switch in PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards

Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
255 SATWND NESDIS PICTURE TRIPLET CLOUD DRIFT (LOW LEVELS) (GOES) No longer produced by NESDIS
256 SATWND INDIA IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) (INSAT, KALPANA) - u, v Not yet available from India
257 SATWND MODIS/POES IR CLOUD DRIFT (ALL LEVELS) (AQUA, TERRA) - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
258 SATWND MODIS/POES IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - CLOUD TOP (AQUA, TERRA) - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
259 SATWND MODIS/POES IMAGER WATER VAPOR (ALL LEVELS) - DEEP LAYER (AQUA, TERRA) - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR
280
(R - U.S. & JMA SHIPS)		 SFCSHP SURFACE MARINE WITH REPORTED STATION PRESSURE (SHIP, BUOY, C-MAN, TIDE GAUGE) - u, v u, v converted to wspd, wdir by RUC2_GETBUFR

wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v used by assimilation
281
(R -
WMO Res 40 SYNOPS)		 ADPSFC SURFACE LAND [SYNOPTIC, METARS (< 7.5 M ELEV, I.E., COASTAL)] WITH REPORTED STATION PRESSURE (METAR ALSO HAS REPORTED ALTIMETER SETTING) - u, v
 All METARS
or
SYNOPS with reported elev within 20 meters of background (RUC) surface elev:

u, v converted to wspd, wdir by RUC2_GETBUFR

wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v used by assimilation
SYNOPS with reported elev differing from background (RUC) surface elev by more than 20 meters:

Entire report tossed by RUC2_HYBFRONT
282 SFCSHP ANY BUOY (MOORED OR DRIFTING) WITH MISSING STATION PRESSURE AND MISSING MEAN SEA-LEVEL PRESSURE  - u, v u, v converted to wspd, wdir by RUC2_GETBUFR

wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

 u, v used by assimilation

Reported station pressure and mean sea-level pressure BOTH missing.  Station pressure is set to 1013 mb.  Elevation is less than or equal to 7.5 meters.
283

 SPSSMI SSM/I SUPEROBED (1 DEGREE LAT/LON) FNMOC (OPERATIONAL) WIND SPEED OVER OCEAN - u, v Entire report tossed by RUC2_GETBUFR

Only wspd available so direction set to ZERO in PREPBUFR file.

Reported station pressure and mean sea-level pressure BOTH missing.  Station pressure is set to 1013 mb.  Elevation is less than or equal to 7.5 meters.

The SSM/I F-13 satellite went bad in November 2009 resulting in no data being processed.  The empty dumps were turned off and the PREPOBS_PREPDATA parm cards were set to no longer process these data in October 2010.
284
(R -
WMO Res 40 SYNOPS, U.S. & JMA SHIPS)		 ADPSFC,
SFCSHP		 SURFACE MARINE (SHIP, BUOY, C-MAN, TIDE GAUGE) OR LAND (SYNOPTIC, METAR) WITH MISSING ALTIMETER SETTING AND MISSING STATION PRESSURE - u, v If reported elev within 20 meters of background (RUC) surface elev:

u, v converted to wspd, wdir by RUC2_GETBUFR

wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v used by assimilation
If reported elev differs from background (RUC) surface elev by more than 20 meters:

Entire report tossed by RUC2_HYBFRONT
285 QKSWND SUPEROBED (0.5 DEGREE LAT/LON) SCATTEROMETER WINDS OVER OCEAN (QUIKSCAT) - u, v No longer produced
286 ERS1DA SCATTEROMETER WINDS OVER OCEAN (ERS) - u, v No longer produced
287 ADPSFC SURFACE LAND METAR WITH REPORTED ALTIMETER SETTING BUT MISSING STATION PRESSURE - u, v u, v converted to wspd, wdir by RUC2_GETBUFR

wspd, wdir converted to u, v by RUC2_HYBFRONT

u, v used by assimilation
288
R		 MSONET SURFACE MESONET - u, v u, v used by assimilation (based on "uselist"), but only once for each site in the dump (site with obs time closest to analysis time)