Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Initial Wind Wave Sea Height Chart

browse graphicSample Chart
Initial Wind Wave Sea Height Charts are historical wind-wave sea height charts. These analyzed charts cover the Northern Hemisphere (00 and 12 GMT) and were prepared by the National Weather Service, National Meteorological Center. The charts are stored on 35-mm microfilm. One year of charts corresponds to one reel of microfilm. The heights of wind-waves, swell, and combined seas are depicted by labeled solid contours at 3-foot intervals. Wave periods are plotted in seconds and are enclosed in circles at selected grid points. Wave direction arrows are drawn at the maximum wave centers. Other properties of wave height distribution may be inferred from the depicted significant wave heights (defined as the average height of the highest one-third of the waves). The chart on microfilm can be scanned into a paper or digital copy upon request.
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI WebARTIS: CHTWW
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00186
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00186
Search Data
  • NCEI WebARTIS (search)
    Search WebARTIS--collection CHTWW--for more detail about available data in the physical archives.
Other Access
  • NCEI Customer Support (offlineAccess)
    NCEI provides customers with information and data from the NCEI archive. To order NCEI products and services contact the customer support team.
Distribution Formats
  • Microfilm
Distributor Customer Engagement Branch
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1979-01-01 to 1986-10-01
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: 0
North: 90
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
    No administrative dates available
Data Presentation Form Hardcopy image - image archived in analog format
Dataset Progress Status Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose Charts about the ocean are useful in understanding climate and ocean dynamics. State of the ocean is useful to the fishing, shipping and transportation industries.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Circulation > Wind-Driven Circulation
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wind Waves
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Swells
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Waves > Wave Height
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Buoys
  • Ships
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Wave Height Gauges
  • Anemometers
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Northern Hemisphere
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
Keywords
  • Metadata_Not_Published
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Access Constraints
  • Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free, however fees may apply for data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement Charts were created by analyzing and plotting raw observations to produce the product.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • Charts were created by analyzing and plotting raw observations to produce the product.
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2018-11-05
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.orders@noaa.gov