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Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly (GHCN-M), Version 3

Metadata Updated: September 19, 2023

Please note, GHCN-Monthly provides climatological observations for four elements; monthly mean maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, and monthly total precipitation. Precipitation are available in version 2, monthly mean maximum and minimum temperature in version 3, and monthly mean temperature is also now available in the Version 4 BETA release. Users of monthly mean temperature should use the most recently available fully operational version except in some cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used a previous version). Since the early 1990s the Global Historical Climatology Network-Monthly (GHCN-M) dataset has been an internationally recognized source of data for the study of observed variability and change in land surface air temperature. It provides monthly mean temperature data for 7280 stations from 226 countries and territories, ongoing monthly updates of more than 2000 stations to support monitoring of current and evolving climate conditions, and homogeneity adjustments to remove non-climatic influences that can bias the observed temperature record. The release of version 3 monthly mean temperature data in 2011 introduced a number of improvements and changes from the previous release that included consolidating "duplicate" series, updating records from recent decades, and the use of new approaches to homogenization and quality assurance.

Access & Use Information

License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

Downloads & Resources

Dates

Metadata Date June 30, 2023
Metadata Created Date October 28, 2022
Metadata Updated Date September 19, 2023
Reference Date(s) January 1, 1997 (publication), June 9, 2015 (revision)
Frequency Of Update daily

Metadata Source

Harvested from ncdc

Graphic Preview

GHCN-M Station Map

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Date June 30, 2023
Metadata Created Date October 28, 2022
Metadata Updated Date September 19, 2023
Reference Date(s) January 1, 1997 (publication), June 9, 2015 (revision)
Responsible Party DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (Point of Contact); NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (Point of Contact)
Contact Email
Guid gov.noaa.ncdc:C00839
Category Tag 16E15F51 D96E 4051 9124 75665Abdc6Ff ["Arctic Weather and Extreme Events","Arctic","Atmospheric, Earth and Ocean Sciences","Transportation","Physical Data","Coastal Flooding","Human Health","Ecosystem Vulnerability","Water"]
Access Constraints **Please note, GHCN-Monthly provides climatological observations for four elements; monthly mean maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, and monthly total precipitation. Precipitation are available in version 2, monthly mean maximum and minimum temperature in version 3, and monthly mean temperature is also now available in the Version 4 BETA release. Users of monthly mean temperature should use the most recently available fully operational version except in some cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used a previous version).**, Users should cite this dataset as: Jay H. Lawrimore, Matthew J. Menne, Byron E. Gleason, Claude N. Williams, David B. Wuertz, Russell S. Vose, and Jared Rennie (2011): Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly (GHCN-M), Version 3. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5X34VDR [access date]., Publications using this dataset should also reference the following article: J. H. Lawrimore, M. J. Menne, B. E. Gleason, C. N. Williams, D. B. Wuertz, R. S. Vose, and J. Rennie (2011), An overview of the Global Historical Climatology Network monthly mean temperature data set, version 3, J. Geophys. Res., 116, D19121, doi:10.1029/2011JD016187., Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives., Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose.
Bbox East Long 180.0
Bbox North Lat 90.0
Bbox South Lat -90.0
Bbox West Long -180.0
Coupled Resource
Frequency Of Update daily
Graphic Preview Description GHCN-M Station Map
Graphic Preview File https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C00839_GHCNM-Stations.jpg
Graphic Preview Type JPG
Harvest Object Id eb4008a6-5722-4e23-82c4-93720827665a
Harvest Source Id 2cb3ef77-1683-4c2a-9119-dc65e50917c6
Harvest Source Title ncdc
Licence
Lineage GHCN-Monthly Version 3 is a standardized view of thousands of meteorological stations across the world. Each data point is subject to extensive quality control procedures and duplication checks to ensure the that the highest quality observations are included. For more information, please review documentation.
Metadata Language eng; USA
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": [[[-180.0, -90.0], [180.0, -90.0], [180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, 90.0], [-180.0, -90.0]]]}
Progress onGoing
Spatial Data Service Type
Spatial Reference System
Spatial Harvester True
Temporal Extent Begin 1701-01-01

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