AQS Wind Speed and direction parameter change

AQS User,

During the process of designating NCORE monitors, the issue of what parameters should be reported for wind speed and wind direction resulted in the need to clarify the names. This clarification is necessary because some agencies are reporting the scalar parameters while others are reporting the resultant parameters. In discussing the issue with the monitoring group, the fact that the resultant rather than the scalar parameters are the most meaningful for tracking parcels of air has resulted in the clarification in the table below.

This clarification may also require changing parameters for existing and new data.

The NCORE designation was originally entered for the scalar parameters, but will be changed to the resultant parameters. The monitoring community will also be informed of the requirement to report the resultant parameters rather than the scalar.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Parameter Code

Old Name

New Name

Old

Abbreviation

New Abbreviation

61101

Wind Speed

Wind Speed - Scalar

W S

WS-S

61102

Wind Direction

Wind Direction - Scalar

W D

WD-S

61103

Resultant Speed

Wind Speed - Resultant

R S

WS-R

61104

Resultant Direction

Wind Direction - Resultant

R D

WD-R