Reconnaissance Decoder


This decoder decodes raw observations from reconnaisance aircraft investigating tropical cyclones and winter storms. Please enter the observation(s) you wish to decode in the box below. For a list of products this decoder can decode and for additional options please view the information after the box below.

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This decoder decodes high-density (HDOB), vortex, dropsonde, reconnaissance code (RECCO) and airborne expendable bathythermograph (AXBT) observations from Air Force and NOAA aircraft performing reconnaissance in both tropical and non tropical systems. It also decodes dropsondes from NASA's Global Hawk if they are in the same WMO format as Air Force and NOAA sondes. You can access most of the raw data through the National Hurricane Center's Aircraft Reconnaissance page and also at the links at the bottom of this page. This decoder can decode multiple messages of any combination of the above products. This decoder also decodes the no longer used SXXX50, URNT40 and URNT50 formats but does not decode supplementary vortex messages (URNT14). It can also decode another NOAA AXBT format that may or may not be still in use.
Main Options
Render decoded observation as:


Include option to map observations with Google Maps:

More Options
(applicable products)
View diagram of normal size
Only available with the "HTML Table" option
Storm Slice for HDOB Decoder:
(About)
Slice Grouping:
Includes a customizable chart that allows you to graph various variables in an HDOB message.
Options for Vortex Decoder:

Add informative information in addition to the normal output


Independent Calculations for HDOB messages with the "HTML Table" option
(About)
Raw Atlantic Basin Observations

Main Air Force Products (KNHC)

Sites:

URNT15 - High Density (HDOB) Message

1, 2

URNT12 - Vortex Message

1

UZNT13 - Dropsonde Report

1

URNT11 - Tropical RECCO Observation

1

URNT10 - Non-Tropical RECCO Observation

1

WMO FM 63-XI Ext. BATHY (JJVV) - AXBT Ob.

Info

Main NOAA Products (KWBC)

URNT15 - High Density (HDOB) Message

1, 2

URNT12 - Vortex Message

1

UZNT13 - Dropsonde Report

1

URNT11 - Tropical RECCO Observation

1

URNT10 - Non-Tropical RECCO Observation

1

SOFX01 - AXBT Observation

1

Air Force Backup Products (KBIX)

URNT15 - High Density (HDOB) Message

1

URNT12 - Vortex Message

1

UZNT13 - Dropsonde Report

1

URNT11 - Tropical RECCO Observation

1

URNT10 - Non-Tropical RECCO Observation

1

Raw East & Central Pacific Basin Observations

Main Air Force Products (KNHC)

Sites:

URPN15 - High Density (HDOB) Message

1, 2

URPN12 - Vortex Message

1

UZPN13 - Dropsonde Report

1

URPN11 - Tropical RECCO Observation

1

URPN10 - Non-Tropical RECCO Observation

1

Main NOAA Products (KWBC)

URPN15 - High Density (HDOB) Message

1, 2

URPN12 - Vortex Message

1

UZPN13 - Dropsonde Report

1

URPN11 - Tropical RECCO Observation

1

URPN10 - Non-Tropical RECCO Observation

1

Air Force Backup Products (KBIX)

URPN15 - High Density (HDOB) Message

1

URPN12 - Vortex Message

1

UZPN13 - Dropsonde Report

1

URPN11 - Tropical RECCO Observation

1

URPN10 - Non-Tropical RECCO Observation

1