Data dictionary

The name of the network, which will be displayed prominently at the top of the form (in other words, this serves as the primary ID).
If the network is commonly referred to with an acronym, this acronym may serve as the name. (If so, the convention is to omit periods between the letters of the acronym.)

The two-letter abbreviation for the state in which the network is headquartered.

The name of the state mesonet with which the network is associated, if any. (This may be redundant with the "name" field).

The organization with operates and administers the network.

The type of the organization with operates and administers the network. (For example, "Government", "University", "Government/University".)

The date at which the network was first established.

The latitude of the network's headquarters.
Data entry: For locations in the United States (where all latitudes are in degrees north), this value should be entered as a positive number with at least 5 decimal places precision.

The longitude of the network's headquarters.
Data entry: For locations in the United States (where all longitudes are in degrees west), this value should be entered as a negative number with at least 5 decimal places precision.

What methods are provided for the public to obtain data from the network. Valid values are "Download from website", "REST API" and "Other".

The URL of the network's public website.

The URL of the network's page on a social media platform.

The name of person who is the main public point of contact for the network.

The email address to which correspondence with the network should be sent (oftentimes, though not always, belonging to the "Contact" person).

Groups with which the network is officially affiliated. Valid values are "AASC", "National Mesonet Program", and "Mesonet Recognition Program".
Data entry: Note that, currently, the "AASC" affiliation must be present for the network to be shown in this app. A network can be entered without the "AASC" affiliation, but it will not show up on the map or in the forms.

ID of the station (usually a unique alphanumeric code, distinct from the "Name" field).

Name of the station (usually a plain-language label which often incorporates the name of the site, distinct from the "ID" field).

The network to which the station belongs.

The date and time, in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), at which the station's period of data begins. Omitting this field means the period of data is open-ended in the backwards direction (meaning there may be data any time up until the end date, if one is supplied).

The date and time, in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), at which the station's period of data ends. Omitting this field means the period of data is open-ended in the forwards direction (meaning there may be data any time after the start date, if one is supplied).

The latitude/longitude coordinates of the station.
Data entry: For locations in the United States (where all latitudes are in degrees north and all longitudes are in degrees west), latitide should be entered as a positive number, longitude as a negative number, and both with at least 5 decimal places precision.

Elevation of the base of the station above sea level, in meters.

Height of the station mast, in meters.

Category describing how much land within a 100-foot radius of the station is natural surface. Less than 30% is "Urban", 30% to 80% is "Hybrid", and greater than 80% is "Rural".

The frequency with which the station collects data.

The URL of the station's web page, if it has one.

A list of metric data types available from this station.
Only metrics which are made externally accessible should be included; metrics which are recorded but not connected to some channel for public access should not be listed here.
See the "Metrics" section below for descriptions of individual metrics.