Dissemination of Meteorological Data, Products and Information

Real-time Data Dissemination Operation

In 1993, JMA established a policy to widely open a variety of meteorological data, products and information prepared by JMA to the private business sector, the mass media and other parties. In line with this policy, the Metrological Service Act of Japan was accordingly amended, and JMBSC was officially designated by the Director-General of JMA as a unique authorized organization to disseminate the meteorological data, products and information to various users at marginal cost. The dissemination is carried out on a real-time basis through the network server system operated by JMBSC and in the form of recording media such as HD/DVD/CD-ROM.

Real-time Dissemination

The following meteorological data, products and information are disseminated to hundreds of national and international users under contract with JMBSC on a real-time basis through a dedicated line, the Virtual Private Network (VPN), the Internet and others:

1. Meteorological observation data (SYNOP, METAR, RADAR, etc.) collected by JMA, including surface data observed by the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS) which covers all over Japan at more than 1,300 sites, as well as radar data, and their analyses;
2. Grid Point Value (GPV) data of numerical weather prediction (Global Spectral Model (GSM), Meso-Scale Model (MSM), Local Forecast Model (LFM), Meso-Scale Ensemble Prediction System (MEPS), Climate Prediction Model, Ocean Wave Model, etc.) and objective analyses of JMA;
3. Imagery data and raw data (HRIT format) obtained by the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (Himawari-8/9) operated by JMA;
4. Very short-range forecasts of precipitation and nowcast, and maps of hazard risks (landslide, flood and inundation);
5. Analysis and forecast charts issued by JMA;
6. Weather forecasts, advisories and warnings including typhoon warnings;
7. Seismic monitoring and tsunami warnings, and Earthquake early warnings;
8. Volcanic monitoring and warnings;
9. Marine meteorological and oceanographic observation data, and their prediction, etc.; and
10. Atmospheric environmental monitoring data such as those of UV-B and Aeolian dust, and their prediction.

Non-real-time Dissemination

1. Observation data, quality-controlled by JMA, including those of radar, surface, upper-air, tide, ocean-waves and earthquakes;
2. Meteorological satellite imagery;
3. Monthly and annual observation reports;
4. Analysis products including re-analysis with the numerical models of JMA;
5. Reports on meteorological, environmental and marine observations.

The non-real-time dissemination service is available upon request in the form of HD/DVD/CD-ROM by surface mail.