Awesome

Version, status: v1.2, deprecated / change log <br> Maintainer: Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss, OGD@MeteoSwiss project team

[!IMPORTANT] This documentation is no longer up-to-date and will soon be taken offline. The continuously updated, valid Open Data documentation from MeteoSwiss is here.

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Willkommen bei der Bereitstellung von 'Open Government Data (OGD)' von MeteoSchweiz

Hintergrund und zentrale Herausforderungen

Mit der Einführung der Totalrevision der Verordnung über die Meteorologie und Klimatologie (MetV) - voraussichtlich im 1. Quartal 2025 - wird Meteoschweiz die im gesetzlichen Auftrag erhobenen Daten von den Gebühren befreien und damit den Zugang zu offenen Daten umsetzen, wie es das Bundesgesetz über den Einsatz elektronischer Mittel zur Erfüllung von Behördenaufgaben (EMBAG) fordert. Die von MeteoSchweiz angestrebte Kompatibilität mit der 'High Value Datasets (HVD)'-Richtlinie der EU (s. Anhang, Kapitel 3. "Meteorologie") und die Forderungen des EMBAG führen zu einen Umstieg des Datenzugangs von 'Push' (d.h. auf Anfrage/Bestellung) zu 'Pull' (d.h. per Selbstbedienung).

MeteoSchweiz stellt seit Jahrzehnten meteorologische und klimatologische Daten auf internationaler, europäischer und nationaler Ebene bereit. Seit 2012 hat MeteoSchweiz zudem Erfahrungen mit der Bereitstellung offener Daten aufgebaut (s. Datensätze beginnend mit "ch.meteoschweiz..."). Dazu nutzt MeteoSchweiz die Bundes-Geodaten-Infrastruktur BGDI, die von swisstopo betrieben wird.

Der Zugang zu offenen Daten soll überarbeitet und vereinfacht werden, so dass Menschen mit unterschiedlichen datentechnischen und meteorologischen Kenntnissen die gewünschten Daten ohne Mühe finden können. Anwendungsorientierte Beschreibungen und Kontextinformationen helfen ihnen einzuschätzen, ob bzw. unter welchen Bedingungen welche Daten für eine gewünschte Anwendung passen.

Vision, Mission und Strategie für Version 1.0

Unsere Vision ist, dass jedeR die richtigen offenen meteorologischen und klimatologischen Daten von MeteoSchweiz leicht finden und nutzen kann. Wir garantieren maximale Kompatibilität mit den offenen Daten der europäischen und internationalen Partnerbehörden.

Unsere Mission ist, die Bereitstellung von offenen Daten für Menschen und Organisationen mit derselben Zuverlässigkeit und Sorgfalt zu gestalten, die sie von MeteoSchweiz bereits gewohnt sind.

Unsere Strategie für die Version 1.0 ist, allen Nutzerinnen und Nutzern zu ermöglichen, offene Daten als Files via die STAC-API der BGDI herunterzuladen.

Damit entspricht die OGD-Bereitstellung von MeteoSchweiz in der Version 1.0 der Anforderung der HVD-Richtlinie der EU, "Datensätze (...) über Massen-Download (...) zur Weiterverwendung zur Verfügung zu stellen" (Anhang, Kapitel 3.2. a). Die Anforderung, Datensätze auch über APIs verfügbar zu machen, setzt MeteoSchweiz darauf in einer späteren Umsetzungsetappe um.

Unsere wichtigsten Ergebnisse für die Version 1.0 sind:

1. Aus den Quellsystemen der verschiedenen Datentypen (Bodenstationsdaten und Beobachtungen, Klimadaten und räumliche Klimaanalysen, Radardaten, Prognosedaten, Atmosphärendaten) werden die zusammen mit den entsprechenden Fachspezialistinnen und -spezialisten spezifizierten OGD-Produkte und ihre 'File Metadata' laufend als Files generiert.
2. Alle Files werden laufend auf die definierten 'Collections' in der STAC-API der BGDI übertragen und als 'Assets' zu den entsprechenden 'Items' abgelegt.
3. Zu jeder 'Collection' ist ein entsprechender 'Discovery Metadata'-Datensatz im Geometadatenkatalog geocat.ch angelegt. Geocat.ch integriert die 'Discovery Metadata' in den OGD-Metadatenkatalog der Schweizer Behörden opendata.swiss, und opendata.swiss in den europäischen OGD-Metadatenkatalog data.europa.eu.
4. Die Nutzerinnen und Nutzer können einzelne und mehrere Files über ein WebGUI bei MeteoSchweiz manuell herunterladen oder über die STAC-API der BGDI automatisiert beziehen.

Unsere wichtigsten Nutzendengruppen für die Version 1.0 sind:

1. Menschen mit wenig Meteo- und unterschiedlichen datentechnischen Kenntnissen,
2. Menschen mit mittleren Meteo- und unterschiedlichen datentechnischen Kenntnissen,
3. Menschen mit hohen Meteo- und hohen datentechnischen Kenntnissen.

[!NOTE] Unsere Nutzendenschaft ist sehr breit und unterschiedlich. Zur Priorisierung der Funktionalitäten sowie der anwendungsorientierten Beschreibungen und Kontextinformationen der Daten haben wir diese grobe Gruppierung gewählt. Die Gruppen sind von oben nach unten nach ihrer Anzahl (viele > wenige) aufgelistet.

Strategie und Releaseplanung

Strategie für die Priorisierung

1. Beta-Version - Einzelne Komponenten als Prototyp entwickeln, um wichtige Entscheidungen zu treffen und Risiken zu bewerten
2. Version 1.0 - Für die Lancierung unbedingt notwendige Funktionalitäten realisieren und OGD-Produkte bereitstellen
3. Als nächstes - Weitere definierte OGD-Produkte bereitstellen
4. Später - Weitere Funktionalitäten (u.a. Daten abfragen via API-Features) realisieren

Roadmap der OGD-Bereitstellung <br>

• Hauptfunktionalitäten für Nutzerinnen und Nutzer
• OGD-Datenprodukte ("Titel - Art der Daten", STAC collection name)

Weitere Daten (in Abklärung):

• Blitzdaten – ..., ogd-satellite-derived-lightning

[!NOTE] Die Planung wird laufend aktualisiert und kann sich entsprechend ändern. Ab Juli 2024 wird sie für die Datenprodukte etappiert vorliegen und hier entsprechend kommuniziert.

Kontakt zum Projekt

Für alle Fragen zum Projekt, wenden Sie sich bitte an: opendata(at)meteoswiss.ch

Bienvenue à la mise à disposition 'Open Government Data (OGD)' de MétéoSuisse

Contexte et principaux défis

Avec l'introduction de la Révision totale de l’ordonnance sur la météorologie et la climatologie (OMét) - prévu pour le 1er trimestre 2025 - MétéoSuisse exonérera des émoluments les données collectées sur mandat légal et mettra ainsi en œuvre l'accès aux données ouvertes, comme l'exige la Loi fédérale sur l’utilisation de moyens électroniques pour l’exécution des tâches des autorités (LMETA). La compatibilité souhaitée par MétéoSuisse avec la Directive de l'UE 'High Value Datasets (HVD)' (voir annexe, chapitre 3. «Météorologique») et les exigences de la LMETA entraînent un passage de l'accès aux données de 'Push' (c'est-à-dire sur demande/commande) à 'Pull' (c'est-à-dire en libre-service).

Depuis des décennies, MétéoSuisse met à disposition des données météorologiques et climatologiques au niveau international, européen et national. Depuis 2012, MétéoSuisse a en outre acquis de l'expérience dans la mise à disposition de données ouvertes (cf. jeux de données commençant par «ch.meteoschweiz...»). Pour ce faire, MétéoSuisse utilise l’Infrastructure fédérale de données géographiques IFDG, gérée par swisstopo.

L'accès aux données ouvertes doit être revu et simplifié afin que les personnes ayant des connaissances différentes en matière de technique de données et de météorologie puissent trouver sans peine les données souhaitées. Des descriptions orientées vers les applications et des informations contextuelles les aident à évaluer si, et dans quelles conditions, quelles données conviennent à une application souhaitée.

Vision, mission et stratégie pour la version 1.0

Notre vision est que chacun puisse trouver et utiliser facilement les données météorologiques et climatologiques ouvertes appropriées de MétéoSuisse. Nous garantissons une compatibilité maximale avec les données ouvertes des autorités partenaires européennes et internationales.

Notre mission est, de mettre à la disposition des personnes et des organisations des données ouvertes avec la même fiabilité et le même soin que ceux auxquels MétéoSuisse les a déjà habituées.

Notre stratégie pour la version 1.0 est, de permettre à tous les utilisateurs de télécharger des données ouvertes sous forme de fichiers via l'API STAC de l'IFDG.

La mise à disposition OGD de MétéoSuisse dans la version 1.0 répond ainsi à l'exigence de la directive HVD de l'UE de mettre à disposition des «ensembles de données en vue de leur réutilisation (...) sous la forme d’un téléchargement en masse» (Annexe, chapitre 3.2. a). L'exigence de rendre les jeux de données également disponibles par l’intermédiaire d’API sera mise en œuvre par MétéoSuisse au cours d'une étape ultérieure.

Nos principaux résultats pour la version 1.0 sont les suivants :

1. A partir des systèmes sources des différents types de données (données de stations au sol et observations, données climatiques et analyses spatiales du climat, données radar, données en prévision, données atmosphériques), les produits OGD spécifiés avec les spécialistes correspondants et leurs 'File Metadata' sont générés en permanence sous forme de fichiers.
2. Tous les fichiers sont transférés en permanence sur les 'collections' définies dans l'API STAC de l'IFDG et enregistrés comme 'assets' pour les 'items' correspondants.
3. Un jeu de données 'Discovery Metadata' correspondant est créé pour chaque 'collection' dans le Catalogue de géométadonnées geocat.ch. Geocat.ch intègre les 'Discovery Metadata' dans le Catalogue de métadonnées OGD de l’administration publique suisse opendata.swiss, et opendata.swiss dans le Catalogue de métadonnées OGD européen data.europa.eu.
4. Les utilisateurs peuvent télécharger manuellement un ou plusieurs fichiers via une WebGUI auprès de MétéoSuisse ou les obtenir de manière automatisée via l'API STAC de l'IFDG.

Nos principaux groupes d'utilisateurs pour la version 1.0 sont :

1. les personnes ayant peu de connaissances météorologiques et différentes connaissances techniques en matière de données,
2. les personnes ayant des connaissances moyennes en météorologie et en différentes techniques de données,
3. les personnes ayant des connaissances élevées en météorologie et en technique des données.

[!NOTE] Notre groupe d'utilisateurs est très large et varié. Nous avons choisi ce regroupement approximatif pour prioriser les fonctionnalités ainsi que les descriptions orientées vers l'application et les informations contextuelles des données. Les groupes sont listés de haut en bas en fonction de leur nombre (nombreux > peu).

Stratégie et planification des versions

Stratégie de priorisation

1. Version Beta - Développer des composants individuels en tant que prototype afin de prendre des décisions importantes et d'évaluer les risques.
2. Version 1.0 - Réaliser les fonctionnalités absolument nécessaires pour le lancement et mettre à disposition des produits OGD.
3. Ensuite - Mettre à disposition d'autres produits OGD définis.
4. Plus tard - Réaliser d'autres fonctionnalités (notamment consulter les données par un 'API features').

La feuille de route de la mise à disposition OGD <br>

• Fonctionnalités principales pour les utilisateurs
• Produits de données OGD (id : "Titre - Type de données", STAC collection name)
• "Type de données" : "Valeurs mesurées", "Observations", "Valeurs mesurées homogénéisées", "Données matricielles" OU "Données ponctuelles"

[!NOTE] La planification est actualisée en permanence et peut être modifiée en conséquence. A partir de juillet 2024, elle sera disponible par étapes pour les produits de données et sera communiquée ici en conséquence.

Contact avec le projet

Pour toute question concernant le projet, veuillez vous adresser à : opendata(at)meteoswiss.ch

Benvenuti nell'offerta “Open Government Data (OGD)” di MeteoSvizzera

Contesto e sfide principali

Con l'introduzione della Revisione totale dell’ordinanza sulla meteorologia e la climatologia (OMet) - previsto per il 1° trimestre del 2025 - MeteoSvizzera esenterà dalle tasse i dati raccolti nell'ambito del mandato legale, implementando così l'accesso ai dati aperti, come richiesto dalla Legge federale concernente l’impiego di mezzi elettronici per l’adempimento dei compiti delle autorità (LMeCA). La compatibilità con la Direttiva UE “High Value Datasets (HVD)” (vedi Allegato, Capitolo 3. “Dati meteorologici”), a cui MeteoSvizzera sta puntando, e i requisiti della LMeCA stanno portando a un cambiamento nell'accesso ai dati da “push” (cioè su richiesta/ordine) a “pull” (cioè tramite self-service).

MeteoSvizzera fornisce da decenni dati meteorologici e climatologici a livello internazionale, europeo e nazionale. Dal 2012, MeteoSvizzera ha anche accumulato esperienza nella fornitura di dati aperti (vedi i dataset che iniziano con “ch.meteoschweiz...”). A questo scopo, MeteoSvizzera utilizza l'Infrastruttura federale di dati geografici IFDG, gestita da swisstopo.

L'accesso ai dati aperti deve essere rivisto e semplificato in modo che persone con diversi livelli di tecnologia dei dati e di conoscenze meteorologiche possano trovare facilmente i dati desiderati. Le descrizioni orientate all'applicazione e le informazioni contestuali aiutano a valutare se e in quali condizioni i dati sono adatti all'applicazione desiderata.

Visione, missione e strategia per la versione 1.0

La nostra visione è che tutti possano facilmente trovare e utilizzare i giusti dati meteorologici e climatologici aperti di MeteoSvizzera. Garantiamo la massima compatibilità con i dati aperti delle autorità partner europee e internazionali.

La nostra missione è, fornire dati aperti a persone e organizzazioni con la stessa affidabilità e cura a cui sono già abituati da MeteoSvizzera.

La nostra strategia per la versione 1.0 è, consentire a tutti gli utenti di scaricare i dati aperti come file attraverso l'API STAC del IFDG.

La fornitura di OGD di MeteoSvizzera nella versione 1.0 soddisfa quindi il requisito della Direttiva HVD dell'UE di mettere a disposizione “le serie di dati (...) per il riutilizzo tramite download in blocco” (Allegato, capitolo 3.2. a). MeteoSvizzera implementerà il requisito di rendere disponibili i set di dati anche tramite API Features in una fase di implementazione successiva.

I nostri risultati più importanti per la versione 1.0 sono:

1. Dai sistemi di origine dei vari tipi di dati (dati delle stazioni al suolo e osservazioni, dati climatici e analisi spaziali del clima, dati radar, dati di previsione, dati atmosferici), i prodotti OGD specificati insieme ai relativi specialisti e i loro “File Metadata” sono continuamente generati come file.
2. Tutti i file vengono continuamente trasferiti nelle “Collections” definite nell'API STAC del IFDG e memorizzati come “Assets” per i corrispondenti “Items”.
3. Per ogni “Collection” viene creato un corrispondente set di dati “Discovery Metadata” nel Catalogo dei Geometadati geocat.ch. Geocat.ch integra i “Discovery Metadata” nel Catalogo dei metadati OGD delle autorità svizzere opendata.swiss, e opendata.swiss nel Catalogo europeo dei metadati OGD data.europa.eu.
4. Gli utenti possono scaricare file singoli o multipli manualmente tramite una WebGUI di MeteoSvizzera o ottenerli automaticamente tramite l'API STAC del IFDG.

I nostri gruppi di utenti più importanti per la versione 1.0 sono:

1. persone con scarse conoscenze meteorologiche e diversi livelli di conoscenza dei dati tecnici,
2. persone con un livello medio di conoscenza meteorologica e vari livelli di conoscenza dei dati tecnici,
3. persone con un livello elevato di conoscenze meteorologiche e di dati.

[!NOTA] La nostra base di utenti è molto ampia e diversificata. Abbiamo scelto questo raggruppamento di massima per considerare prioritarie le funzionalità, le descrizioni orientate all'applicazione e le informazioni sul contesto dei dati. I gruppi sono elencati dall'alto verso il basso in base al loro numero (molti > pochi).

Strategia e pianificazione del rilascio

Strategia per la definizione delle priorità

1. Versione Beta - Sviluppare i singoli componenti come prototipi per prendere decisioni importanti e valutare i rischi
2. Versione 1.0 - Realizzare le funzionalità assolutamente necessarie per il lancio e fornire prodotti OGD
3. Successiva - Fornire prodotti OGD ulteriormente definiti
4. Più tardi - Realizzare ulteriori funzionalità (compreso il reperimento dei dati tramite 'API Features')

Roadmap dell'offerta OGD <br>

• Principali funzionalità per gli utenti
• Prodotti di dati OGD (id: "Titolo - Tipo di dati", STAC collection name)
• Tipo di dati": "Valori misurati", "Osservazioni", "Valori misurati omogeneizzati", "Dati a matrice" o "Dati puntuali"

[!NOTA] La pianificazione è in continuo aggiornamento e può subire variazioni. A partire da luglio 2024, sarà disponibile per gradi per i prodotti di dati e comunicato qui di conseguenza.

Contatti per il progetto

Per tutte le domande sul progetto, si prega di contattare: opendata(at)meteoswiss.ch

Welcome to the 'Open Government Data (OGD)' provision of MeteoSwiss

Background and key challenges

With the introduction of the Totalrevision der Verordnung über die Meteorologie und Klimatologie (MetV) - expected in the 1st quarter of 2025 - MeteoSwiss will exempt the data collected under the legal mandate from fees and thus implement access to open data, as required by the Bundesgesetz über den Einsatz elektronischer Mittel zur Erfüllung von Behördenaufgaben (EMBAG). The compatibility with the EU's 'High Value Datasets (HVD)' Directive (see Annex, Chapter 3. ‘Meteorological’) that MeteoSwiss is striving for and the requirements of EMBAG are leading to a change in data access from 'push' (i.e. on request/order) to 'pull' (i.e. via self-service).

MeteoSwiss has been providing meteorological and climatological data at international, European and national level for decades. Since 2012, MeteoSwiss has also built up experience with the provision of open data (see datasets beginning with ‘ch.meteoschweiz...’). To this end, MeteoSwiss uses the Federal Spatial Data Infrastructure FSDI, which is operated by swisstopo.

Access to open data must be revised and simplified so that people with different levels of data technology and meteorological knowledge can easily find the required data. Application-orientated descriptions and contextual information help them to assess whether and under what conditions which data is suitable for a particular application.

Vision, mission and strategy for version 1.0

Our vision is that everyone can easily find and use the right open meteorological and climatological data from MeteoSwiss. We guarantee maximum compatibility with the open data of European and international partner agencies.

Our mission is, to provide open data to people and organisations with the same reliability and care that they are already accustomed to from MeteoSwiss.

Our strategy for version 1.0 is, to enable all users to download open data as files via the STAC API of the FSDI.

The OGD provision of MeteoSwiss in version 1.0 thus fulfils the requirement of the EU's HVD Directive to make ‘datasets (...) available for re-use (...) through bulk download’ (Annex, Chapter 3.2. a). The requirement to make datasets also available via APIs will be implemented by MeteoSwiss in a later implementation stage.

Our primary outcomes for version 1.0 include:

1. From the source systems of the various data types (ground station data and observations, climate data and spatial climate analyses, radar data, forecast data, atmospheric data), the OGD products specified together with the corresponding specialists and their 'file metadata' are continuously generated as files.
2. All files are continuously transferred to the defined 'collections' in the STAC API of the FSDI and stored as 'assets' for the corresponding 'items'.
3. For each collection, a corresponding 'discovery metadata' dataset is created in the geometadata catalogue geocat.ch. Geocat.ch integrates the 'discovery metadata' into the OGD metadata catalogue of the Swiss authorities opendata.swiss, and opendata.swiss into the European OGD metadata catalogue data.europa.eu.
4. Users can download one or more files manually from MeteoSwiss via a WebGUI or obtain them automatically via the STAC API of the FSDI.

Our primary users for version 1.0 include:

1. People with little meteorological knowledge and varying levels of technical data knowledge,
2. People with medium meteorological knowledge and varying levels of technical data knowledge,
3. People with high meteorological and technical data knowledge.

[!NOTE] Our user base is very broad and diverse. We have chosen this rough grouping to prioritise the functionalities as well as the application-oriented descriptions and context information of the data. The groups are listed from top to bottom according to their number (many > few).

Strategy and release planning

Strategy for prioritisation

1. Beta version - Develop individual components as prototypes to make important decisions and assess risks
2. Version 1.0 - Realise functionalities and provide OGD products absolutely necessary for the launch
3. Next - Provide further defined OGD products
4. Later - Realise further functionalities (including querying data via API features)

Roadmap of the OGD provision <br>

• Main functionalities for users
• OGD data products (id: "Title - Type of data", STAC collection name)
• "Type of data": "Measured values", "Observations", "Homogeneous measured values", "Grid data" OR "Point data"

[!NOTE] The planning is continuously updated and may change accordingly. From July 2024, it will be available on a staged basis for the data products and communicated here accordingly.

Contact for the project

For all questions about the project, please contact: opendata(at)meteoswiss.ch

Ab hier nur auf Englisch | A partir d'ici, uniquement en anglais | Da qui in poi solo in inglese

Specification of OGD data products and sample data

1. Context and mission of the project

Jump to the introduction in English above.

1.1. Purpose of this repository

This repository is used by MeteoSwiss' project team to inform potential users interested in Open Data about the plans and to receive specific feedback from them on proposals.

1. We describe the various 'Open Data products' being designed by MeteoSwiss' specialist data teams. That is: the data structures, formats, denominations, update frequencies, volumes and other specifics.
2. We are looking for your feedback on our proposals. To this end, we ask you specific questions.
3. Furthermore we are open to your questions. Please share them with us and the community by creating a public issue, or write us an email. You can find all issues - open and closed - sorted by update date here.

[!NOTE] All information in this repository reflects the current state of work and is subject to change.

1.2. Questions to the Open Data user community

These are the current questions to the Open Data user community on which we are asking for feedback:

1.3. General contact point

If you have any questions, please contact the project team: opendata(at)meteoswiss.ch

2. Open Data products

2.1. Overview of data types to be made available as Open Data

MeteoSwiss operates an extensive monitoring network, both on the ground (surface stations) and in the atmosphere, that enables it to collect round-the-clock meteorological data for the whole of Switzerland. These data form the basis for making weather forecasts, issuing bad weather warnings, and analysing climate change. Furthermore MeteoSwiss operates a weather model for forecasting and also generates gridded data sets.

This is the current status of the clarifications as to which data types can be made available (and how) under an Open Data license by MeteoSwiss, and which not:

2.2. General information on the data

2.2.1. Data granularity

For all types of data MeteoSwiss uses standard granularities. Depending on the application not all granularites are available. For measurement data the lowest granulartiy is usually called 'raw data' (Rohwert) or 'original data' (Originalwert). Higher granularities are called 'aggregations' or 'aggregated values'. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) does issue guidelines on how national weather services have to aggregate values and MeteoSwiss does follow these guidelines.

If you need hourly, daily, monthly or yearly values, we strongly recommend that you download the according granularity. Downloading the raw data (10min) and calculating sums or means yourself, will not always lead to the same results! Furthermore for historic data it is possibly that manual data corrections have only been applied on higher granularities (like hourly or daily data), which means that historic raw data can still contain errors.

This is the overview of the granularities used by MeteoSwiss:

2.2.2. Data structure and update cycle

For measurement data MeteoSwiss provides an optimized directory structure separating older historical data, which is not updated regularly, and more recent data, which is updated more often. For realtime data we provide a third "now" directory with a high update frequency.

This is the overview:

2.2.3. Time stamps and time intervals

All reference time stamps at MeteoSwiss are in UTC! Depending on the granularity the time stamp does define different intervals:

• T: The sum, mean or max/min of the last 10 minutes (ReferenceTS 16:00 = 15:50:01 to 16:00:00)
• H: The sum, mean or max/min of the last six 10min-values (ReferenceTS 16:00 = 15:10 to 16:00). Please note: Hourly values before 2018 were calculated differently based on the SYNOP schedule (ReferenceTS 16:00 = 14:50 to 15:40)!
• D: For most parameters the sum, mean or max/min from 00:00 to 23:50 of the according date. Exception for precipitation and snow (manual measurement times used for consistency) where the interval is 6:00 UTC until 5:50 UTC tomorrow (ReferenceTS 22.6.2023 = 22.6.2023 6:10 UTC to 23.6.2023 6:00 UTC)
• M: The sum, mean or max/min of the whole month from 1st to last day of month (ReferenceTS 1.6.2023 = 1.6.2023 00:10 UTC to 30.6.2023 24:00 UTC)
• Y: The sum, mean or max/min of the whole year (ReferenceTS 1.1.2023 = 1.1.2023 00:10 UTC to 31.12.2023 24:00 UTC)

Accordingly, it follows that:

• for granularity T and H the time stamp defines the end of the measurement interval and
• for higher granularities (D, M and Y) the time stamp defines the beginning of the interval!

2.2.4. Column separators, decimal dividers and missing values

Generally, columns are separated with a semicolon (;). The decimal divider is a full stop (.). Missing values are empty.

2.3. Surface data

MeteoSwiss operates a network of land-based weather stations where current weather and climate data are automatically recorded. It covers all parts of the country and all altitude levels. The measurements are supplemented with a wide array of additional observations, ranging from manual recording of cloud cover and vegetation development, to measurements of fine particulate matter, through to a network of cameras that covers all major sections of terrain and mountain passes in Switzerland.

All MeteoSwiss surface stations have a name and an identfier consisting of three letters (e.g. BER for Bern / Zollikofen or LUG for Lugano). Data files use this station identifier in the file name throughout all directories. A list of all station identfiers with station names, coordinates, height etc. can be found in the according metadata section.

2.3.1. Automatic weather stations (smn, smn-precip, smn-tower)

SwissMetNet, the automatic measurement network of MeteoSwiss, comprises about 160 automatic stations with a full measurement program (smn). These stations deliver a multitude of current data on weather and climate in Switzerland every ten minutes. The network is supplemented by around 100 automatic precipitation stations (smn-precip). Together, these stations form the basis for the creation of reliable local weather forecasts as well as severe weather and flood warnings. Additionally MeteoSwiss operates three tower stations at 150m to 230m above ground for boundry layer measurements (smn-tower). The time series can begin before the introduction of automatic measurements in 1981; the three manually measured values per day are stored as individual 10-minute values ("term values").

2.3.2. Manual precipitation stations (nime, tot)

In addition to its automatic precipitation measurements, MeteoSwiss operates a manual precipitation monitoring network. Measurements are taken once a day and transmitted to MeteoSwiss via SMS. The network comprises 243 locations, 190 stations measure rainfall and snow, and 53 stations measure snow only (nime). Due to their long-series measurements, they are of great climatological significance. In mountainous areas that are difficult to access, around 57 totalisers are used which record the volume of precipitation for an entire year (tot).

2.3.3. Visual observations (obs)

The information on current weather events is supplemented by visual human observations. The atmospheric conditions around the observation site are described in detail.

2.3.4. Climate stations "Swiss NBCN" (nbcn, nbcn-precip)

The Swiss National Basic Climatological Network "Swiss NBCN" connects the major ground-based stations within the MeteoSwiss monitoring network. It consists of 29 climate monitoring stations and 46 precipitation stations. The measurement series available in digital form for temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine date back, in some cases, to the mid-nineteenth century. The measurement series are homogenised. Homogenised time series from other weather stations are also provided.

2.3.5. Swiss pollen monitoring stations (pollen)

MeteoSwiss operates the national pollen monitoring network. This consists of 14 monitoring stations which cover Switzerland's most important climatic and vegetation regions. The measurements obtained provide invaluable information for those who suffer from allergies. Additionally since 2023 the new automatic pollen network is operational: for the first time in the world, instead of daily averages being available after a week, information is available in real time at an hourly resolution.

2.3.6. Phenological observations (phenology)

The Swiss Phenology Network consists of 160 stations. Some 26 different plant species are observed in order to describe the vegetation development. On the basis of this information, it is possible to investigate the impact of climate change on the vegetation. The observations also serve to generate forecasting models for the start of flowering.

2.4. Atmosphere data

MeteoSwiss obtains relevant data for weather forecasting and climate analysis from the atmosphere. The properties and composition of the atmosphere are studied using various instruments and methods, including weather balloons, satellites and laser equipment. Weather radar stations play an important role, as they record precipitation and thunderstorms throughout Switzerland in real time.

2.4.1. Radio soundings (radiosounding)

MeteoSwiss performs soundings twice a day using weather balloon radiosondes. This allows important meteorology-related atmospheric values to be measured at high altitudes. The results of the latest radio soundings are made available in the form of data files (decoded data) and graphs (emagrams).

The radiosondes measure air pressure, temperature and humidity. Attached to a weather balloon and carried high into the atmosphere, the radiosonde also records the exact position, allowing altitude, wind speed and direction to be determined. The data obtained in this way are of great importance for weather forecasts and climate research. MeteoSwiss launches a weather balloon twice a day from the sounding station in Payerne. Special soundings are also carried out to determine other parameters such as ozone or aerosol concentrations. In addition, MeteoSwiss operators launch research flights, for which several radiosondes are attached to the same balloon. This allows the readings to be compared with each other, checked for quality and verified.

2.5. Model data

Jump directly to 2.5.3. Postprocessed local forecast data (data4web). <br>

2.5.1. INCA data (nowcasting)

The INCA nowcasting forecasts come for the period 0h- +6h.

The data is being updated according to the respective update frequency. For more information see the metadata in each NetCDF-File.

Jump directly 2.5.1.1. INCA precipitation - quantitative/qualitative. <br> Jump directly 2.5.1.2. INCA precipitation type - rain, snow, snow-rain, freezing rain, rain&hail. <br> Jump directly 2.5.1.3. INCA snowfall - quantitative/qualitative. <br> Jump directly 2.5.1.4. INCA snow accumulation & snowfall line. <br> Jump directly 2.5.1.5. INCA temperature. <br> Jump directly 2.5.1.6. INCA relative sunshine duration. <br>

2.5.1.1. INCA precipitation - quantitative/qualitative

2.5.1.2. INCA precipitation type - rain, snow, snow-rain, freezing rain, rain&hail

2.5.1.3. INCA snowfall - quantitative/qualitative

2.5.1.4. INCA snow accumulation & snowfall line

2.5.1.5. INCA temperature

2.5.1.6. INCA relative sunshine duration

2.5.2. COSMO/ICON data (forecasting)

The COSMO/ICON forecasting systems calculate future atmospheric conditions. MeteoSwiss uses the COSMO (Consortium for Small-scale Modeling) numerical weather forecasting model for the production of regional and local forecast products in the topographically challenging Alpine region. In order to be able to provide optimal probability forecasts for as many uses as possible, MeteoSwiss deploys two different ensemble configurations of COSMO: COSMO-1E and COSMO-2E. Together with the ECMWF forecasts, these form the basis for the daily weather forecasts produced by MeteoSwiss, as well as warnings of extreme weather conditions such as storms and precipitation events.

Several times a day, COSMO-1E and COSMO-2E calculate different forecasts respectively (known as “members”), each with slightly different initial conditions:

• COSMO-1E comprises an ensemble of 11 forecasts at a resolution of 1.1 km, calculated eight times a day for central and southern Europe.
• COSMO-2E is calculated four times a day from 21 realisations at a resolution of 2.2 km.

From this collection of forecasts, the “ensemble”, the probability of a certain weather event occurring can be calculated. The ensemble also provides a measure of the predictability of the expected weather situation and thus also an estimate for the forecast reliability. The data are available from these individual forecasts. In addition, derived values such as quantiles can also be ordered.

Using the numerical weather forecast models COSMO-1E and COSMO-2E, MeteoSwiss offers direct model outputs for the entire Alpine region in the form of hourly analyses or forecasts for up to five days ahead. Forecasts for the whole of Switzerland or the entire Alpine region are available for a wide range of parameters.

The MeteoSwiss forecast data (e.g. for parameters such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind, air pressure, geopotential, evaporation and radiation) can be obtained in numerous formats:

• Horizontal fields: Data and graphics for the whole model domain or for a section that covers the whole of Switzerland.
• Tables with all the main weather variables at any number of locations within the model domain. Supplied in CSV format, the data can be integrated into the customer’s own data processing systems. Meteograms with graphs of the main parameters for a particular location.

In principle, all of the parameters used in the local forecast on the website and in the MeteoSwiss App are available. Supplied in CSV format, the data can be integrated into the customer’s own data processing systems:

• Example of data (other formats available on request) (ZIP, 2.5 MB)
• Examples of probabilistic products

2.5.3. Postprocessed local forecast data (data4web)

The postprocessed forecast data is based on a mix of different models (INCA, ICON-CH1-EPS, ICON-CH2-EPS, ECMWF) and is available for all ZIP-codes, SMN-stations and selected POI in the mountains as point data. The forecast is available for the time period from +0h to +192h and is being updated hourly. It is the same forecast data used in the MeteoSwiss app and on the website for each ZIP-code.

For each parameter there is a single file. Here we provide only a few parameters for review.

As for the geolocation of the data, the following metadata-files are being provided for mapping of the data:

• ZIP-code locations Data4Web_legend_PLZ.csv
• SMN-stations and POI locations Data4Web_legend_POI_Stations.csv

2.5.3.1. Local forecast precipitation

2.5.3.2. Local forecast temperature

2.5.3.2. Local forecast sunshine duration

2.6. Grid data

2.6.1. Spatial climate data

Spatial climate data are statistically derived from surface data. Those spatial climate data, which contain radiation and cloud cover parameters, are derived from MeteoSat satellite data together with surface data. See the overview of spatial climate products (PDF). Frr each product see the "detailed product document(s)" below for further information, and the parameter metadata in each example file.

2.6.1.1. Surface derived grid data

2.6.1.2. Satellite derived grid data

2.6.2. Radar and CombiPrecip data

Supplementing the conventional precipitation measurements taken at ground level meteorological stations, MeteoSwiss operates a network of five weather radar stations which record every type of precipitation and storms in real time, are fully automated and, between them, cover the whole of Switzerland.

The sites are

• Albis near Zurich (equipped with the latest technology (dual polarisation) in 2012, monitors the atmosphere of the whole of northern Switzerland)
• Monte Lema in the Canton of Ticino (equipped with the latest technology (dual polarisation) in 2011, monitors the atmosphere of the whole of southern Switzerland)
• La Dôle near Geneva (equipped with the latest technology (dual polarisation) in 2011)
• Pointe de la Plaine Morte in the Canton of Valais (equipped with the latest technology (dual polarisation), commenced operation in 2014 and monitors the atmosphere in the inner Alpine region)
• the Weissfluhgipfel in the Canton of Graubünden (equipped with the latest technology (dual polarisation), commenced operation in 2016, and monitors the atmosphere in the inner Alpine region)

Radar and CombiPrecip data is being provided as HDF5 which is the common exchange format for radar data. See the metadata in each HDF5-File for further information. The radar data are divided into Basic radar, Advanced radar and CombiPrecip.

2.6.2.1. Basic radar data

2.6.2.2. Advanced radar data

2.6.2.3. CombiPrecip data

2.7. Warning data

In clarification if/how can be made available as open data.