Data Publications
Local Climatological Data
Local Climatological Data (LCD) publications contain summaries from major airport weather stations that include a daily account of temperature extremes, degree days, precipitation amounts, and winds. Also included are the hourly precipitation amounts and abbreviated three-hourly weather observations. This is the final quality-controlled copy and generally has a one- to two-month time lag.
Climatological Data
Climatological Data (CD) monthly/annual publications contain station daily maximum and minimum temperatures and precipitation amounts. Some stations provide daily snowfall, snow depth, evaporation, and soil temperature data. Each issue also contains monthly summaries for heating and cooling degree days (65°F base). The July issue also contains monthly heating degree days and snow data for the preceding July through June. The annual issue contains monthly and annual averages of temperature, precipitation amounts, temperature extremes, freeze data, soil temperatures, evaporation, and a recap of monthly cooling degree days. This is the final quality-controlled copy and generally has a four- to six-month time lag. Over 8,000 stations are active nationwide.
Hourly Precipitation Data
Hourly Precipitation Data (HPD) publications contain hourly precipitation amounts obtained from recording rain gauges located at National Weather Service, Federal Aviation Administration, and cooperative observer stations. Published data are displayed in inches to tenths of inches to hundredths at local standard time. HPD includes maximum precipitation for nine time periods, from 15 minutes to 24 hours, for selected stations. It includes an hourly account of precipitation amounts for many locations within a chosen state. This is the final quality-controlled copy and generally has a four- to six-month time lag. Over 2,500 stations are active nationwide.
Storm Data
Storm Data (SD) monthly publications contain a chronological listing, by states, of storm occurrences and unusual weather phenomena. Reports contain information on storm paths, deaths, injuries, and property damage. An "Outstanding Storms of the Month" section highlights severe weather events with photographs, illustrations, and narratives. Storm Data began in 1959 and is published with a single U.S. issue each month. You may also search the NCEI Storm Events Database to find various types of storms recorded in your county or use other selection criteria as desired.
Monthly Climatic Data for the World
Monthly Climatic Data for the World (MCDW) publications contain monthly mean temperature, pressure, precipitation, vapor pressure, and hours of sunshine for approximately 2,000 surface data collection stations worldwide and monthly mean upper air temperatures, dew point depressions, and wind velocities for approximately 500 observing sites. The publication is issued monthly. This is the final quality-controlled copy and generally has a four- to six-month time lag.
COOP Data / Record of Climatological Observations Form
COOP Data / Record of Climatological Observations Form is a monthly log that includes a daily account of temperature extremes (participating locations) and precipitation, along with snow data at some locations. These forms are available for thousands of sites that are a part of the cooperative observing network in the United States, and they have a lag time of one to two months.
Climatological Data National Summary
Data include a national general summary of weather conditions, observed extremes of temperature and precipitation by states, climatological data by station, heating and cooling degree days, flood data and losses, and storm summaries. Upper air data, sunshine, and solar radiation data are also summarized. The annual issue also contains the year's short rainfall duration statistics, hurricane and typhoon data and storm tracks for various basins, tornado information, and long-term statistics.
Quick Links
These links provide quick access to many of NCEI's climate and weather datasets, products, and various web pages and resources including Additional Climatic Summaries, Publications and Documents, Special Reports, Products and Services Guide, and Online Store.
