Land-Based Datasets and Products

NCDC's land-based (in situ) datasets are developed from data collected across the United States and globally. Data availability varies by data type and station, and some have periods of record of more than a century. Any data product ordered from NCDC may be certified for court, but only the more commonly certified products can be certified for court online. For ordering certified copies of items where certifications are not offered online, please contact NCDC.

• Quality Controlled Local Climatological Data (QCLCD)
  Hourly, daily, and monthly summaries for approximately 1,600 U.S. locations, including Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) and Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) stations. To order multiple types of Local Climatological Data together, visit the Quick Links page.
• Cooperative Observer Network (COOP)
  Data from a network of more than 10,000 volunteer observers across the United States and its territories. Data usually consist of daily maximum and minimum temperatures, snowfall, and 24-hour precipitation totals and may include additional hydrological or meteorological data such as evaporation or soil temperatures. These data are also part of the GHCN-Daily dataset and a subset are included as part of the USHCN dataset, which are listed below.
• Climate Normals
  Thirty-year averages of weather data collected from thousands of stations nationwide.
• U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN)
  A subset of the Cooperative Observer Network, this dataset provides summary of the month temperature and precipitation observations for 1,218 stations across the contiguous United States. Temperature observations have been homogeneity corrected to remove biases associated with non-climatic influences, such as changes in instrumentation and observing practices, and changes to the environment including station relocations.
• Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)
  Consists of two datasets, GHCN-Monthly and GHCN-Daily, containing summary of the month and summary of the day data from multiple sources combined to provide the most complete record of the Earth's climate since instrumental measurements began. Some observations as early as the late 1600s.
• Global Summary of the Day (GSOD)
  The data used in building these daily summaries are obtained from the U.S. Air Force Climatology Center. The latest daily summary data are updated approximately daily. Data from more than 9,000 stations are included.
• Global Climate Station Summaries
  Summaries for the following weather elements are available: ceiling visibility, dew point statistics, flying conditions, relative humidity, sky cover, sea level pressure, station pressure, temperature, wind speed and direction, and present weather.
• U.S. Climate Reference Network (USCRN)
  Monthly, daily, hourly, and sub-hourly data from NOAA's premiere surface reference network. The contiguous U.S. network of 114 stations was completed in 2008. There are two USCRN stations in Hawaii, and deployment of a network of 29 stations in Alaska continues.
• Global Observing Systems Information Center (GOSIC)
  A collection of climate observations from stations designated by the World Meteorological Organization to provide information on the global climate system.
• Integrated Surface Database (ISD)
  Global hourly and synoptic observations compiled from numerous sources into a single common ASCII format and common data model. Data from more than 20,000 stations are available.
• Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS)
  Sensor data from over 900 sites in the United States.
• Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS)
  These systems are among the oldest automated weather stations and predate ASOS. They generally report at 20-minute intervals and do not report special observations for rapidly changing weather conditions.
• Solar Radiation
  The National Solar Radiation Database provides extensive solar radiation information to solar planners and designers, building architects and engineers, renewable energy analysts, and others.
• National Weather Service Text Narrative and Product Archive
  Alphanumeric products contained within NOAAPort/National Weather Service Family of Services including watches, warnings, advisories, and forecasts (both public marine and aviation).
• Statewide, Regional, and Divisional Temperature, Drought, and Degree Days
  Includes the Precipitation Index, Temperature Index, Palmer Drought Severity Index, Palmer Hydrological Drought Index, Palmer Z-Index, Modified Palmer Drought Severity Index, Base 65°F Cooling and Heating Degree Days, and Standard Precipitation Index.
• Climate at a Glance
  Time series graphics for temperature, precipitation, degree days, and drought indices.
• World War II Era Data
  Daily temperature precipitation, snow depth, and peak wind gusts for 162 stations outside of the United States from 1940–1945.
• Hourly and 15-Minute Precipitation Data and Frequency Atlas
  Map interface to 15-minute and hourly precipitation amounts from database sources and publications. Rainfall frequency atlas of the United States.
• Annual Climatological Summaries
  Monthly temperature, precipitation, and snow data for thousands of locations in the United States.