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The *.obs files can be viewed using a text editor such as Notepad.

For the USCGC Polar Star Observations the parameter explanation is as follows:

DDHHMMZ MMM YY Weather Observation for USCGC Polar Star -- Gives the day, hour, minute and second for the observation in UTC
POSN: Gives the position of the ship at the time of the observation
CSE: Gives the ship's heading/course
SPD: Wind Speed in knots
Description: Cloud cover and type
Wind: Given in degrees and knots 
Seas: Given in degrees and feet
Swells: Given in degrees and feet
Visibility: Given in  nautical miles
Air Temperature: Given in degrees fahrenheit
Sea Water Temperature: Given in degrees fahrenheit
Barometric Pressure: Given in in inches of mercury
Ice Conditions: Concentration of ice, ice type, and ice thickness given in feet