Guidance to open data observations
How to interpret open data observations? Here we have the summarized some of the most used observations and what should be taken into account when using them.
Weather observations
| Parameter name | Temporal resolution | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Total cloudiness | Instant | Given in numbers out of eight: 0 = clear skies, 8 = overcast, 9 = cloud coverage could not be determined. Takes into account all cloud layers. |
| Precipitation intensity | Instant | Equivalent to the precipitation amount if the same intensity prevails for an hour. To get the true 10 minute precipitation amount, divide by 6. |
| Mean wind speed | Instant | The average wind speed during the previous 10 minutes. |
| Wind gust | Instant | The highest 3-second average wind speed during the previous 10 minutes. |
| Wind direction | Instant | In degrees. 0/360 means that the wind is blowing from the north towards the south. |
| Sea level pressure | Instant | The air pressure reduced to sea level. |
| Relative humidity | Instant | Calculated relative humidity. |
| Snow depth | Instant | Snow depth from automated weather stations. Accuracy +- 2 cm. |
| Visibility | Instant | Estimated visibility at weather station. |
| Dew point | Instant | Dew point temperature. |
| Mean temperature | Daily | The average temperature based usually on 4 or 8 observations per day. |
| Maximum temperature | Daily | The highest temperature during two 12 hours period, i.e. between 8 p.m. previous evening and 8 p.m. this evening (9 p.m. - 9 p.m during summertime). |
| Minimum temperature | Daily | The lowest temperature during two 12 hours period, i.e. between 8 p.m. previous evening and 8 p.m. this evening (9 p.m. - 9 p.m during summertime). |
| Precipitation | Daily | The daily precipitation is measured between 8 a.m. (9 a.m. in summertime) and 8 a.m. (9 a.m. in summertime) local time the following day and is given in millimetres (snowfall=water equivalent). |
| Snow depth | Daily | Snow depth is measured at 8 a.m. local time (9 a.m. during summertime). |
| Precipitation | Monthly | The monthly precipitation sum is the sum of daily precipitation sums. |
| Mean temperature | Monthly | The monthly mean temperature is the average of daily mean temperatures. |
Sea observations
| Parameter name | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Significant wave height | Wave height is the vertical difference between the wave through and the wave crest. The significant wave height is calculated as the average of one third of the highest waves from the energy spectrum. |
| Wave direction (from) | The wave direction given here is simply the direction along which most of the wave energy is propagated. As with the wind direction, the wave direction is usually given as the direction from where the waves are arriving. |
| Wave directional spreading | An irregular wave field always consists of waves traveling in different directions. Their distribution with respect to the mean direction is described by the directional spreading. |
| Modal period | The wave period is defined as the time between two wave crests. The modal period describes the dominant wave period of irregular waves. |
| Water temperature | A buoy measures water temperature once every hour from 20 cm deep. |
| Water level | Sea level referred to the theoretical mean water (= theoretical mean sea level) or N2000-system (=BSCD2000). |
Air quality observations
| Parameter name | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Particulate matter (diameter < 10 μm / <2.5 μm) | Mean concentration (μg/m**3) of the previous hour (UTC-time) |
| Nitrogen dioxide | Mean concentration (μg/m**3) of the previous hour (UTC-time) |
| Sulphur dioxide | Mean concentration (μg/m**3) of the previous hour (UTC-time) |
| Ozone | Mean concentration (μg/m**3) of the previous hour (UTC-time) |
| Odorous sulphur compounds | Mean concentration (μg/m**3) of the previous hour (UTC-time) |
| Carbon monoxide | Mean concentration (μg/m**3) of the previous hour (UTC-time) |