U.S. FGGE special data sets and special effort

Three topics are considered, all resulting from the desire to maximize the utilization and overall quality of the FGGE data sets.First, the production of Level III-b oceanographic and meteorological analyses in the FGGE format has been undertaken by the Fleet Numerical Oceanography Center. The oceanographic data, in particular the sub-surface oceanographic data, is a unique addition to the FGGE data base.Next, the FGGE Level II-b data set is the most comprehensive set of synoptic-scale meteorological data ever assembled to date. Under development is a program aimed at compacting and restructuring the Level II-b data according to observing systems, so that the data will be more readily usable and more economical for users interested in smaller and/or different portions of the total FGGE Level II-b data set.Lastly, as a result of the United States pre-FGGE Data Systems Tests, a need was indicated for a special effort to edit and enhance satellite soundings and cloud motion wind data during FGGE. A formal program to carry out such an effort has been established jointly by NASA, NOAA, and the University of Wisconsin.