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Since the mid-1970s, DWD has regularly stored all meteorological data collected by its observing
network on electronic media, checked the data for quality and then archived it on a
routine basis. Furthermore, the data collected earlier in table form on paper or (since the
1950s) on punch cards, were registered, then archived in a standardised form on magnetic
tape and later added to the climate database.
Data gathered by the Meteorological Service of the former German Democratic Republic
(GDR), until 1990, has also been similarly processed (even though in some points in quite
different ways) and compiled in a suitable data archive, the Standardised Meteorological Data-Storage
Medium (EMDS). This data archive was integrated into the DWD climate database
to the greatest possible extent with the work having been completed in 1992. Due to
the different ways of data processing used in the old and new Federal Laender before 1990,
the data sets differ in form and content.
Since 1997, new climate data has been stored within the DWD database application called
MIRAKEL, which is based on a relational database system. The migration of the former data
archive to the MIRAKEL database has largely been completed, with the result that the
aforementioned climate data is now archived in a relational database system that greatly
facilitates the use of the data.
The national observing network consists of (01.06.2009):
• 183 main meteorological watch offices and automatic weather stations, of which 50
are manned around the clock, 31 are manned part time and 102 are fully automatic
weather stations;
• 34 surface weather stations run by the German Federal Armed Forces;
• 1839 voluntary weather stations carried out by non-professionals, of which 810 are
automatic stations for 10-minute data (49 stations measure only wind parameter and
468 only precipitation);
• 9 upper-air stations (3 stations are auto launcher and 2 stations measure additionally
ozone);
• 5 upper-air stations run by the German Federal Armed Forces.
DWD and the German Federal Armed Forces operate a combined network, the National
Basic meteorological observing Network (NABAM). It consists of 183 main meteorological
watch offices and automatic weather stations (DWD) and 19 surface weather stations operated
by the German Federal Armed Forces.
The total network of DWD and the German Federal Armed Forces thus comprises:
• 525 stations measuring temperature und humidity;
• 221 stations measuring air pressure;
• 2008 stations measuring precipitation;
• 294 stations measuring wind, of which 56 are part of the storm warning network;
• 307 stations measuring sunshine duration
At more than 500 stations two or more variables are measured. In addition the Laender are
running their own observing networks. Presently DWD is receiving precipitation data from
about 400 stations from Bavaria, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Baden-Württemberg. It is estimated
that in total the Laender could contribute about 1000 additional precipitation stations.
2.3.2 DWD - cooperation with other organizations
DWD also participates in other global observing networks. Its MOL-RAO is part of the BSRN
(Baseline Surface Radiation Network) and thereby contributes to the global monitoring of
atmospheric radiation. Furthermore, the MOL-RAO acts as a regional radiation centre of
