NUMBER 250 DATE: 05/07/04

Sector Processing Center (SPC):

During March, NOA, EUM, CSU and JMA processed more than 98% of A data into B1/B2 data. MSC has sent a test B2 dataset; only minor changes in the format were requested.

Normal operations for March were reported by NOA, EUM, CSU and JMA. CSU reported processing 100% of A data into B1/B2 data in February.

CSU is also supplying the AC data for GOES-12 until MSC operations resume.

Satellite Calibration Center (SCC):

AC data were received for March 04 from METEOSAT-5, METEOSAT-7, GOES-10, and GOES-12; AC data for NOAA-16 (AVHRR and HIRS) for February and March 04 were also received. AC data delivery for GOES-9 is delayed. BC data for January 04 for METEOSAT-5, METEOSAT-7, GOES-9, GOES-10 and GOES-12 were shipped to the GPC.

All AC data are now received via Internet.

All BC reports now include normalization for the visible, standard infrared and "split-window" infrared channels (except METEOSAT which does not have a split-window channel), and the "water vapor" channels.

Global Processing Center (GPC):

The GPC continued to receive B2 data, BC data and correlative data in a routine manner by Internet. All data products (except DX) from the GPC are delivered by ftp to NOAA/NCDC and to NASA Langley. Delivery of all of the DX dataset by ftp is not feasible. Other methods for delivering these data to NOAA are now being explored.

Deliveries of B2 data from NOAA-16 are current. Production of NOAA-16 (preliminary) B3 is complete through December 03. Final B3 data have been produced through December 03.

Deliveries of B2 data from NOAA-17 are current. Production of NOAA-17 (preliminary) B3 is complete through December 03. Final B3 data have been produced through December 03.

Deliveries of B2 data from GOES-8 are complete through March 03 (the last data). Production of final B3 data is complete through March 03.

Deliveries of B2 from GOES-9 (at 155E) are current. Corrected navigation information has bee received from JMA.

Deliveries of B2 data from GOES-10 are current. Production of GOES-10 (preliminary) B3 data is complete through December 03. Final B3 data have been produced through September 01.

Deliveries of B2 data from GOES-12 are complete through February 04. Production of GOES-12 (preliminary) B3 data is complete through December 03.

Deliveries of B2 data from METEOSAT-5 (at 63E) are current. Production of METEOSAT-5 (preliminary) B3 data is complete through December 03. Final B3 data have been produced through December 03.

Deliveries of B2 data from METEOSAT-7 are current. Production of METEOSAT-7 (preliminary) B3 data is compete through December 03. Final B3 data have been produced through September 01.

Deliveries of B2 data from GMS-5 are complete through May 03 (the last data). Production of final B3 data is complete through May 03.

A sample of radiance data from the Chinese FY-2 satellite has been obtained and a test of the format is underway.

Deliveries of TOVS correlative data are current. TOVS processing is complete through December 03.

Deliveries of snow/ice correlative data are current. SI processing is complete through September 03.

DX/D1/D2 data processing is complete through September 01. A preliminary (before calibration adjustment) version of a global land albedo dataset, produced from AVHRR DX, has been completed covering the whole ISCCP time period.

Three CDs of D2 data are now available from NASA Langley, covering 83-88, 89-93 and 94-98.

Tables are available on the ISCCP Web site that provide the up-to-date version numbers for all ISCCP data products. The whole calibration dataset (Stage BT data) and the ancillary map grid dataset that accompanies the gridded data products are available on the ISCCP ftp site. The entire D2 dataset is also available on the ftp site. Browse data now available on the Web site are monthly mean data for July 83 through September 01 and climatology results based on the period July 83 through September 01. The radiance calibration tables have been updated through September 01. The ISCCP World Wide Web Home Page can be accessed at URL

ISCCP Central Archive (ICA):

The ICA at NOAA NCDC continued to receive B1 data from NOA, MSC, EUM, CSU and JMA and B3 and D data from the GPC in a routine manner. A new effort is underway to bring the documentation for the B1 datasets up to the same level as for the B3 datasets, mainly by developing READ programs for each dataset through all the format and satellite changes. The ICA, with assistance from the GPC, is working on this project. If successful, the next re-processing of the cloud products might be based on the B1 rather than the B3 datasets, providing 10 km sampling rather than 30 km sampling (GPCP is also exploring the use of the B1 dataset to extend its daily precipitation product back to July 83.)

The health of GOES-9, GOES-10, GOES-12, METEOSAT-5, METEOSAT-7, NOAA-16 and NOAA-17 remained good. METEOSAT-6 and GOES-11 are in stand-by mode. Full routine operations by METEOSAT-8 have begun. MTSAT-1R is scheduled for launch no earlier than December 04. The Chinese FY-2C is now scheduled for launch in October 04.

Stage B3: July 83 - September 01 (18.2 years)

Stage TV: July 83 - December 03 (20.5 years)

Stage SI: July 83 - June 03 (20.0 years)

Stage D: July 83 - September 01 (18.2 years)

Satellite Network

B Level Data Products

* Delivery backlogs for B2 data (CSU = 1 month for GOES-12).

* Delivery backlog for B3 data = 24 months (with respect to planned schedule). B3 data for 219 months have been archived.

* Delivery backlog for DX/D1/D2 data = 24 months (with respect to planned schedule). D1/D2 data for 219 months have been archived.