National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Active Weather for the West, Warming in the East

The potential for heavy snow at higher elevations in the western U.S. will continue for many spots through the weekend. In the meantime, the eastern half of the continental U.S. will transition to above normal temperatures ahead of a pair of cold fronts next week that will bring readings back to closer to normal as we approach Thanksgiving Day. Read More >

Telecommunication Operations Center

National Program

Telecommunication Headers and Codes

Weather.gov > Telecommunication Operations Center > Telecommunication Headers and Codes
 

Codes & Headings

International Codes
&
Bulletin Heading Practices


The NWS is involved in the OFCM and WMO documented activities on meteorological and hydrological code changes and the activities on the formation of WMO communication headings with respect to the definition of the components of the headings, the defining tables within the WMO manual 386, and the defining of the fields of the heading. The GRIB and BUFR communication headers are defined in the NCEP office note 388 and are reflected in the WMO manual on code No. 306 documentation. The codes and communication headings are under continual update as new sensors are developed and new products are generated.

This server provides portions of the WMO Manual 386 to illustrate the structure and recommended guidance on use of the communication headers of bulletins for purposes of exchanging data. The heading tables are provided to allow for the interpretation of the meaning of the WMO abbreviated heading. This guidance material is only a partial content of manual 386. It is difficult to stay current in most published documents, therefore, as changes in these areas become known this server will attempt to provide these changes.

The United States is a Member country of the WMO which has a Commission for Basic Systems (CBS) that meets every two years. Changes to meteorological codes, telecommunication protocols, WMO communication abbreviated heading practices, and the heading structure defining tables are approved. After approval these changes are entered into the WMO codes manual 306 and 386 at a later time. WMO provides a Catalog of WMO Publications. Publications can be purchased from How to Order a WMO Publication.