Metman2012 wrote:

On 20/08/2013 19:02, Paul wrote:
The 'new code' came in in the early nineties. I was an assistant at
Rheidhalen at the time and plotting charts. On January 1st there was a
mixture of old and new being used. The old was quicker to hand plot. with
the new code you had to remember to check if there was any present weather
after plotting the vis and to leave enough room for weather symbol.

Plotting Tephis used to be tricky at times when new radio sondes came as
the messages had so many special points.

The good old days!

Hmm, I thought that it was in the early 80s, but I'm not going to argue,
especially as I can't find any details via a Google search. I left Heathrow
in 81 and my memory is that the new code came in not long after. I can still
easily 'read' the old codes (thanks to plotting charts for ten years!) but
can only do it slowly on the 'new' code (no longer using it daily, being at
Bracknell in research). Can anyone confirm the date?


The 'new' SYNOP code, i.e.the one in present use, came into operation in 1981,
though I'm not sure which month.

--
Norman Lynagh
Tideswell, Derbyshire
303m a.s.l.