Sources for Weather and Climate Data

Realizing the importance of weather data to a wide range of users, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has in recent years placed an emphasis on the availability of data. While there are still costs associated with some specialized or certified data sets, users of weather information are able to obtain a wide range of data, from observations to remotely sensed imagery, from online sources. The sources of data listed here represent only a subset of sources of weather and climate data. This list has been compiled from our most frequent data requests. All links will open in a new window.

For our local users across northern and central New Mexico, some data are available on the Climate Sections of our WFO Albuquerque homepage.

Our climate page, contains daily and monthly climate reports for Albuquerque, Roswell and Clayton. The preliminary F-6 monthly reports go back to 2003. A variety of products for many sites across New Mexico can be accessed via the NOWData page

Current conditions can be accessed via our observations page. Both surface observations and upper air data (from radiosondes and wind profilers) can be obtained for New Mexico and nearby locations.

Reports from our cooperative observers who send in their data daily are available as well.
This page has both a listing of stations and access to a clickable map.

Precipitation totals for the previous month for sites around New Mexico are in a list which is updated several times throughout the current month.

The National Climatic Data Center, or NCDC, is the official repository of NWS data and the world’s largest archive of an extensive range of weather and climate data. All certified data must be obtained directly from NCDC. NCDC archives 99% of all NOAA data and makes it available in a number of formats. Climatological publications are available as well. The individual links are far too many to list here. Instead, we are provided those, which correspond, to our most frequent requests.

Surface observations are the most common request for data we receive. While NCDC is responsible for official data, there are other sources of archived surface data.

NWS observations within the past 24 hours are available here.

Various land management agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS) maintain a network of Remote Automated Weather Stations, or RAWS, across the southwest states. These sites are generally located in remote areas and often at higher elevations than other observations. RAWS data for New Mexico and Arizona are available here.

The ROMAN network, or Realtime Observation Monitor and Analysis Network, lists observations from a number of available observation sources including the NWS, RAWS, SNOTEL and cooperative observers. A map of observations available for New Mexico is available, and use the pull down menu for data from other states.

Current and archived surface observations from several sources can be accessed through the ROMAN/MesoWest site.

Current observations across New Mexico are available.

Archived observations from 1997 and two week summaries can be generated using the station IDs.

Hourly precipitation data (in a map format) are available from the NOAA Forecast Systems Laboratory (FSL). It may take several seconds for the map to load.

If there are no observations of precipitation available for your area of interest, precipitation estimates derived from a combination of radar and observations may be useful. For anywhere in the continental U.S., precipitation estimates for different time scales are available. Use the menus to select different time scales and regions.

Upper Air Observations

Upper air data from the NWS network of radiosondes are available from FSL. This online database starts in 1998.

Snow

NOAA'a Operational Hydrologic Remote Sensing Center and a variety of option for snow analyses.

The Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System and web-based version.

The National Resources Conservation Service has SNOTEL data for New Mexico and also for the remainder of the western states.

NCDC monitors current snow observations and also provides snow climatologies for a large number of sites across the United States.

Hydro Products

Climate Information

NOAA’s six regional climate centers comprise a nationwide network designed to provide accurate and reliable climate information. The Climate Centers are part of a three tiered climate services support program ,with NCDC (listed above) and the State Climate Offices as the other partners.

New Mexico is served by the Western Regional Climate Center.

A wide range of historical climate information is available is available at the WRCC.

Monthly precipiation summaries from the Western Region Climate Center for New Mexico's cooperative observer locations.

Are you looking for climate data from other parts of the country? Try one of the other five regional climate centers.

High Plains Regional Climate Center
Midwestern Regional Climate Center
Northeast Regional Climate Center
Southeast Regional Climate Center
Southern Regional Climate Center

Miscellaneous

A complete listing of satellite images and derived products are available from NESDIS.

Information on Past Hurricanes is available from the National Hurricane Center.

Surface Radiation for the Continental U.S.

The NWS Space Weather Prediction Center