DESCRIPTIONS - This satellite broadcast is carried using the second set of three virtual channels of the ISCS (i.e. PVC 4, 5 and 6) for Countries requiring WMO data to meet their meteorological/hydrological needs.

Data to be Broadcast - The U.S. through NWS operations is supporting the WMO/WWW dissemination of three data types by satellite broadcast:

• Gridded Binary (GRIB) code data,
• Alphanumeric data (primarily synoptic and text), and
• Graphical data (analysis and significant weather.

GRIB Data - The GRIB Data includes analysis fields and forecast fields over the region in digital form. This data will initially include sea level pressure, temperature, wind fields, geopotential heights, humidity, and precipitation for WMO users. The geographical coverage is initially the northern hemisphere over Region 4 and adjacent waters.

Resolution

• Temporal - analysis, 36, 48, and 72-hour forecasts from the 0000-UTC and 1200-UTC data bases and 4, 5, 6, and 7-day forecast fields from the 0000-UTC data base
  
  
• Horizontal - "thinned" 1.25 x 1.25 degrees (lat/long) at the equator (about 140 kilometers globally)
  
  
• Vertical - WMO-required levels including total precipitation

     Pressure (hPa)      U V Fields (analysis only)
          1000                   850
           850                   700
           700                   500
           500                   300
           300                   200
           200

Geographical Coverage is defined by 3 octant segments in the range I, K, L, with the additional octant of J for analysis fields.

• I = 0-90N 30W-60E,
• K = 0-90N 150E-120W,
• L = 0-90N 120W-30W,
• J = 0-90S 90W-180W

GTS Broadcast - The GTS Broadcast will initially include the following data for meteorological/hydrological/climatological purposes.

• Surface synoptic, ship, upper air in TEMP code, oceanographic, and climatic coded bulletins from specific geographical areas of concern.
• Analysis bulletins for thickness, cyclone, surface fields for the southern part of Region 4.
• Satellite coded bulletins for areas of concern.
• Marine warnings, hurricane, and other related warnings.

T4 Graphics - The T4 Coded Charts/Graphics Data includes the information provided which can not be converted to GRIB code form. Significant weather charts prepared by the U.S. and surface analysis over ocean areas are provided in support of meteorological activities.