Packing and identification of NMC grid-point data

"This Office Note provides information related to NMC grid point data fields. It describes the structure and packing of the data and the system used to identify the fields. A large number of requirements have been accommodated since these procedures were introduced many years ago and, as might be expected, some exceptions have crept into usage. These generally involve a minor amount of non-conformity to the standard units and to the packing procedures. The exceptions, where known, are indicated. The "Office Note 84" packing and identification method, as it is known locally, is an internal NMC standard; external transmissions generally use one or more World Meteorological Organization (WMO) code forms. In particular, grid-point data are represented in Code FM 92 GRIB (GRIdded Binary). Documentation on GRIB is available from the NMC Automation Division as Office Note 388. The documentation is also available on the nic.fb4.noaa.gov server. An effort is under way to convert NMC's internal data storage to GRIB to avoid the necessity of routinely changing data from one representation form to another and to bring NMC into line with the international standards"--Introduction. "February 10, 1994." System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. 1994 NWS (National Weather Service) Library Public Domain 1931