Most Popular Data

Click on one of the links below to jump to the details of the listed data set or product:

  1. Local Climatological Data, U.S.
  2. Global Historical Climate Network-Daily (GHCN-D)
  3. 1971-2000 U.S. Climate Normals Products
  4. Climatological Data Publication
  5. Storm Data Publication/Database
  6. Hourly Precipitation Data Publication
  7. Annual Climatological Summary, U.S.
  8. DSI 3505 - Integrated Surface Data, Hourly, Global
  9. Climate Maps of the United States
  10. Historical Significant Events Imagery
  11. DSI 3240 - Hourly Precipitation, U.S.

* The links below represents the most popular datasets and products available from NCDC.

 1. Local Climatological Data, U.S.
Description: hourly, daily & monthly climatic data for many U.S. cities
Quality Controlled Local Climatological Data (QCLCD) sample button Free online. Jan. 2005 and later ONLY.
QCLCD ASCII files   Compressed QCLCD ASCII files for the periods between 2005 and 2007
Unedited Local Climatological Data (ULCD) sample button Free online. Data prior to 2005 ONLY.
Edited Monthly (Online LCD) sample button Certification option. (all stations)
Edited Annual (Online LCD Annual) sample button all stations
Additional Information: Certified Data    DVD    Station List    Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: varies by station
2. Global Historical Climate Network-Daily (GHCN-D)
Description: Formatted and/or ASCII output of data types which includes daily temperature, precipitation, and snow records over global land areas. Includes COOP data.
GHCN-Daily sample button Choice of standard PDF, custom CSV, or custom text file
GHCN-Daily FTP/HTTP Access sample button Data files via FTP/HTTP
Individual Station Original sample button Original COOP forms (PDF)
Additional Information: Certified Data    Offline Options
Please note: Certified copies of the original 'Coop' forms (item 3 above) may be purchased by visiting the IPS system. As of Jan 2012, GHCN-Daily is now the official archive.
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1800s to current
3. 1971-2000 U.S. Climate Normals Products
Description: long-term climatic averages & extremes for U.S. locations
CLIM 20 Station Summaries sample button Climatography of the U.S. #20. Also available on CD-ROM.
CLIM 81 Monthly Normals sample button Climatography of the U.S. #81. Also available on CD-ROM.
CLIM 81 Supplement 1   Climatography of the U.S. #81 Supplement 1 - Monthly Precipitation Probabilities
CLIM 81 Supplement 2   Climatography of the U.S. #81 Supplement 2 - Annual degree days to selected bases
CLIM 84 Daily Normals sample button Climatography of the U.S. #84. Also available on CD-ROM.
CLIM 85 Divisional Normals   Climatography of the U.S. #85, Or purchase hardcopy by mail.
HCS 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3   Historical Climatology Series 4-1, 4-2 and 4-3.
HCS 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3   Historical Climatology Series 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3. Updates to 5-1 and 5-2.
Additional Information: Offline Options,  2000 to 2010 data available through Climate Data Online
top button Back to the top 1971-2000 Normals Products Page
4. Climatological Data Publication
Description: daily & monthly climatic data for hundreds of locations within a U.S. state
Individual Monthly Issue sample button Free online.
Individual Annual Issue sample button Free online.
Additional Information: DVD   Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1890 - Current
5. Storm Data Publication/Database
Description: severe weather reports on damages, injuries, deaths, etc. for U.S. locations
Storm Data (final) sample button Available online
NCDC Storm Events Database   Search engine tool for severe weather events by location.
Additional Information: DVD   Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1950 - Current
6. Hourly Precipitation Data Publication
Description: collection of hourly precipitation data for many locations within a U.S. state
Individual Monthly Issue sample button Free online.
Individual Annual/Dec. Issue   Free online.
Additional Information: DVD   Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1951 - Current
7. Annual Climatological Summary, U.S.
Description: monthly & annual climatic statistics for a single U.S. location
Individual Station sample button Free online. Service and handling charges apply to offline orders.
Additional Information: Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1948 - Current
8. DSI 3505 - Integrated Surface Data, Hourly, Global
Description: digital dataset of detailed hourly observational climate data for thousands of locations worldwide
3505/CDO sample button Free Online; Offline Options: $140 and up.
3505 FTP data access   Free Access to complete dataset, archival format only.
Additional Information: Metadata/Software   Station History   DVD   QC   Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1901 - Current
9. Climate Maps of the United States
Description: various long-term climatic data depicted on U.S. maps
CLIMAPS - PDF or ESRI sample button FREE! For online viewing.
Selected Maps Publication   $10 for published set of 20 maps.
Additional Information: CD-ROM version   Documentation   Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1961 - 1990
10. Historical Significant Events Imagery
Description: satellite imagery photographics during a wide selection of historically significant dates & times
HSEI Most Popular sample button Prints: Variable pricing ($5 and up)
HSEI Posters sample button $18 per poster
Additional Information: Quick Search   Help/Links   Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1960 - Current
11. DSI 3240 - Hourly Precipitation, U.S.
Description: digital dataset of hourly precipitation data for thousands of U.S. locations
Hourly and 15-minute precipitation data sample button Free Online; Offline Options: $80 and up.
Additional Information: Offline Options
top button Back to the top Period of record: 1948 - Current

*Notes

  • With few exceptions, access to online data (online meaning available through our website for online delivery) is now free to everyone.
  • Period of record shown indicates period of data available online. The period of record for the complete dataset may vary and is dependent on the desired location. Data prior to the period of record indicated may be available. NCDC's archives contain data as far back as the 1800s for certain data types and locations. Contact NCDC for availability, pricing and ordering information.
  • 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. For more information, please see the note on certifications on our NCDC Ordering page.
  • Some items ordered online may require delivery by mail, and those are subject to a service charge. Some orders could be subject to a consultation fee or handling charge.
  • Offline means the data type is not available through our website. Contact NCDC for availability, pricing and ordering information. Many items cost more when ordered offline.
  • Some products require Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • All prices are subject to change.