IASI Level 2 BUFR products to be upgraded

Since the beginning of dissemination of IASI Level 2 data, EUMETSAT has encoded certain variables in BUFR products using local descriptors. Tables capable of processing these descriptors, therefore, had to be owned and maintained by any users wishing to interpret these products.

Since WMO released version 31 of BUFR Master Table 0, descriptors corresponding to the EUMETSAT local descriptors are available in the WMO sections of the BUFR tables. EUMETSAT products using Master Table Version 31 and above will no longer use local descriptors. Instead, WMO descriptors are used. This reduces the number of local changes to configuration items on users’ systems required in order to be able to process these products. It also reduces potential confusion for new users of the products.

Sample data produced using the WMO descriptors are available on our ftp site:
ftp://ftp.eumetsat.int/pub/OPS/out/test-data/Test-data-for-External-Users/IASI-L2-BUFR_WMO-Descriptors/

The distribution of the updated IASI Level 2 BUFR products will start on 14 May.

A full migration guide has been provided for all affected products, listed in the table (product names are linked to their reference in the Product Navigator).

Products affected by the migration

For more information, contact our User Service Helpdesk.