1. Transmission of Ship SYNOP messages

   In order for a Ship SYNOP message to be transmitted by an observation station, specific instruments are required to perform to certain standards. These include an anemometer, thermometer, station observer, visiometer, barometer, hygrometer, and raingauge. The Ship SYNOP message is transmitted at 6-hourly intervals at the standard hours of observation which are: 0000, 0600, 1200, and 1800 UTC. Ingest scripts run at the BADC every 20 minutes, converting the incoming files to the self describing BADC-CSV format, but neither the processed or raw data are placed into archive until the following day. The relevant parameters are stored in the MIDAS dataset and in the MetDB dataset on the BADC website.

If you have queries about these pages or about obtaining the Met Office surface stations data from the BADC then you should contact CEDA Support. Your query should be answered within one working day. When follow-up work is required, the CEDA support will carry out the work as quickly and efficiently as possible, and in any case, the user will be kept informed of progress.