| instrument | Instrument name (ie. HIRS, MSU, SSU) |
| satellite | satellite name (TIROS-N=N05,NOAA-6=N06,ORB=4 orbits,MBC=mean bias correction,EDF-empirical dynamic function adjustment) |
| year | two digit year (Y79=1979) |
| channel | channel number(C01=channel 1) |
| day | day of the year (1-366) |
| time average | M=month (M01=January), P=pentad (P01=Jan 1-5) |
| resolution | grid resolution (R05 = 0.5 degree, R10
= 1.0 degree, R25 = 2.5 degree) |
| type | grid data type (MN = mean, SD = standard deviation, CT = count, number of obs., AN = interannual anomaly) |
| version | version number |
| hour | 06Z - indicates data range from 0-12Z, 18Z is range 12-24Z |
| angle | view angle. 10=cos(view angle) > 0.9, 09=cos(VA) <0.8 and <0.9,
08=cos(VA) >0.7 and <0.8, 07=cos(VA) >0.6 and <0.7 |