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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Comparative Climatic Data Publication for the United States

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Comparative Climatic Data is a publication containing data tables of meteorological elements; the publication outlines the climatic conditions at major weather observing stations in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Pacific islands. The data are from observing sites presently in use or include data from former sites that are comparable in exposure. Stations having less than three years of data for the current operating site are omitted from the tables of observed data. Some elements will not be in the table for weather stations that do not regularly report that element. Major parameters are monthly and annual values: averages of cloudiness (clear, partly cloudy, cloudy), relative humidity (%), snowfall (in.), and wind speed (mph); mean number of days with minimum temperature 32 deg. F or less and precipitation 0.01 in. or more; average percent of possible sunshine and highest and lowest temperature (Deg F) and maximum wind speed (mph) of record. Monthly and annual normals of maximum, minimum and average temperatures (deg. F), precipitation (in.), and heating-degree days and cooling-degree days (base 65 deg. F).
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI Physical Archive Collection: CCD
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00095
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00095
Distribution Formats
  • PAPER
  • MICROFICHE
  • PDF
Ordering Instructions Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
Distributor NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
ncei.info@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1860-01-01 to 2020-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 134.0
East: -64.0
South: -15.0
North: 72.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • U.S Comparative Climatic Data
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1977-04-01
Data Presentation Form Digital image
Hardcopy image - image archived in analog format
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency As needed
Purpose Comparative Climatic Data tables are arranged so that values of the same element can be compared for different locations by use of a single table. This enables researchers or data users to compare parameters across stations over time.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • NOAA National Climatic Data Center
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Originators
  • NOAA National Climatic Data Center
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Temperature Anomalies
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Anomalies
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
  • Earth Science > Terrestrial Hydrosphere > Snow/Ice > Snow Depth
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Sunshine
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Clouds > Cloud Properties > Cloud Frequency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Atmospheric Temperature Indices > Cooling Degree Days
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Atmospheric Temperature Indices > Heating Degree Days
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
  • Terrestrial - Snow Cover
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
  • Atmospheric - Upper-air - Cloud Properties
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Fixed Observation Stations
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Thermometers
  • Rain Gauges
  • Anemometers
  • Visual Observations
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Puerto Rico
  • Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin Islands
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Guam
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > American Samoa
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Marshall Islands
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia
  • Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Palau
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • 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.
Access Constraints
  • 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.
Fees
  • In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement Data were extracted by individual stations from Local Climatological Data Annual Summaries and later, GHCN-D. Data selected for inclusion met certain criteria: data were from observing sites presently in use or include data from former sites that are comparable in exposure, and stations having less than three years of data for the current operating site are omitted from the tables of observed data
Source Datasets
  • Local Climatological Data
    • Local Climatological Data
      More information about the source data.
    • Description of Source: Data in this publication have been extracted from the Normals Means and Extremes table contained in the Local Climatological Data Annual Summary
    • Temporal extent used: 1977 to 2010
  • Global Historical Climatology Network - Daily (GHCN-Daily)
Lineage information for: repository
Processing Steps
  • 2015-04-22T00:00:00 - NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015.
Last Modified: 2023-09-07
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