WMO Earthwatch Partner
Observation Systems

Regional Basic Synoptic Network (RBSN) - Surface
WMO/World Weather Watch Programme (WWW)

The Member countries of each of the six WMO Regional Associations (RA) have committed to operate a Regional Basic Synoptic Network (RBSN), an agreed selection of surface meteorological observing stations of the WWW/GOS.  World-wide, about 4,200 surface stations reporting every six hours, are organised in the six RBSNs and in the Antarctic Basic Synoptic Network (ABSN).  The observations are exchanged globally on the Global Telecommunication System (WWW-GTS) of the WWW,  and are available freely and unrestricted according to the WMO data policy agreed in Resolution 40 (Cg-XII, 1995). The observations are archived in numerous leading national meteorological centres and in the two WMO World Data Centres. Each RA  reviews and agrees on its selection of stations every four years in the light of changing requirements, technological progress and economic possibilities.  The performance of these stations with respect to data availability and quality is regularly monitored and reports are periodically compiled and published by the WMO Secretariat and designated national centres.

The observations contain parameters such as weather phenomena; wind direction and speed, temperature, atmospheric pressure and humidity; amounts, types and height of clouds; visibility; rate of pressure change, extreme temperatures, amount of precipitation, state of the ground, other special phenomena.
Data can be retrieved from national meteorological centres (see also:
http://www.wmo.int/pages/members/members_en.html  and the WMO World Data Centres (National Data Centre, Asheville, N.C., USA; and Obninks, Russian Federation).
The data are formated in the WMO SYNOP code or in the table-driven code forms BUFR and CREX. (for reference see WMO Manual on Codes (WMO-No. 306)). Procedures, accuracy and other standards are given in the WMO Manual on the GOS (WMO-No. 494) and in the WMO Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation (WMO-No. 408).
A listing and discription of all surface and upper-air stations and the corresponding observing programme is published in Weather Reporting (WMO-No. 9, Vol A) and at:
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/ois/ois-home.htm

 http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/DPS/gdps.html

http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/StatusReport.html  

The NMCs at Nairobi, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Montreal, Melbourne, and Offenbach (Germany) share the geographic responsibility for monitoring the quality of the observations and publish six-monthly reports.  The WMO Secretariat publishes an annual report on the availability of the observations and quaterly specialised availablity reports. The RA produce a review report every four years.
All reports can be obtained from the WMO Secretariat and most are posted on the WMO/World Weather Watch website:
http://www.wmo.int/pages/prog/www/index_en.html

Regional Basic Synoptic Networks (RBSN)

Dr Miroslav Ondras
Chief, Observing Systems Division
WMO/OBS Department
CP 2300
CH-1211 Geneva 2
Switzerland

Tel.:  +(41 22) 730 8409
Fax:  +(41 22) 730 8021
MOndras@wmo.int

WMO Eartwatch Partner - Observation Systems