An important function of the NCS should be to provide easy (internet) and timely access to atmosphere and ocean data, such as those routinely collected through the observational in-situ and remote sensing network. The data should be served from a central location in a standard format. Both gridded data (model assimilation products, or satellites) and station data (or other point observations) should be served in this manner. These data should preferably be processed in a quick, first order check, to reject clearly erroneous input. 

Obviously, more carefully post processing should be done and the resulting datasets should be provided with longer delays, added to extended archives and served preferably from the same access point.

Fast, reliable access to data will help researchers and public authorities who seek to use data for attribution of significant climate events or for monitor climate on a regional or global basis. Ongoing attribution of current events (particularly event that have significant societal influence) is important for detecting trends, helping to raise public understanding of what is climate change and what is natural climate variability, etc. 

Currently, weather/climate data are available from various we archives in different formats, served by different groups sometimes on a voluntary basis with no guarantee of continuity or reliability. A single authoritative source is needed. NOAA (NCDC and NODC) is already providing data services (though often with a long delay due to insistence on a slow quality checkout process) but this sort of service should be improved and become one of the priorities of the NCS.