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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

United States Climate Reference Network (USCRN) Processed Data (Version Superseded)

USCRN Database

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**Please note, this dataset has been superseded by a newer version (see below). Users should not use this version except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used this version).** USCRN "Processed" Data (labeled as "uscrn-processed"): are interpreted values and derived geophysical parameters with other quality indicators processed from raw data (both Datalogger files and/or Raw Data from GOES and NOAAPort) by the USCRN Team. Climate variable types include air temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, soil temperature, surface temperature, wetness, global solar radiation, relative humidity, and wind at 1.5 m above the ground. Many additional engineering variables are also available. These data have been decoded, quality-flagged, and processed into level 1 hourly data (the only applied quality control is rounding some values as they enter the database), and includes additional calculated values such as precipitation (5-minute and hourly), hourly maximum temperature, hourly minimum temperature, average temperature (5-minute and hourly), soil moisture (volumetric water content, 5-minute values at the 5 cm depth and and hourly values at all depths) for all dielectric values in range, layer average soil moisture (5 minute and hourly), and layer average soil temperature (5 minute and hourly). It is the general practice of USCRN to not calculate derived variables if the input data to these calculations are flagged. These data records are versioned based on the processing methods and algorithms used for the derivations (versions are noted within the data netCDF file), and data are updated when the higher quality raw data become available from stations' datalogger storage (Datalogger Files).
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 3286_02
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00366
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00366
Order Data
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • netCDF-3
    • File Compression: Recommend NetCDF software such as NCDC Weather and Climate Toolkit.
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
Dataset Principal Investigator Michael Palecki
NCDC USCRN Science Project Manager
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-271-4340
michael.palecki@noaa.gov
Coverage Description
Time Period 2000-11-15 to Present
Spatial Reference System urn:ogc:def:crs:EPSG::4326
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 172.0
East: -65.0
South: 18.0
North: 72.0
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-06-19
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Superseded - replaced by new
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose USCRN's primary goal is to provide future long-term homogeneous observations of temperature and precipitation that can be coupled to long-term historical observations for the detection and attribution of present and future climate change. Each station location is carefully selected to capture the representative climate regions of the nation. Data from the USCRN/USRCRN will be used in operational climate monitoring activities and for placing current climate anomalies into an historical perspective. These files are in an easy-to-use standard format that will ensure users from many different backgrounds will be able to use the data for research or climate understanding.
Use Limitations
  • USCRN Program requests that users of USCRN data reference the following journal articles when sourcing the data in publications: Diamond, H.J., T.R. Karl, M.A. Palecki, C.B. Baker, J.E. Bell, R.D. Leeper, D.R. Easterling, J.H. Lawrimore, T.P. Meyers, M.R. Helfert, G. Goodge, and P.W. Thorne, 2013: U.S. Climate Reference Network after one decade of operations: status and assessment. Accepted for publication in Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., doi: 10.1175/BAMS-D-12-00170. Or, if emphasizing soil moisture/temperature data: Bell, J.E., M.A. Palecki, C.B. Baker, W.G. Collins, J.H. Lawrimore, R.D. Leeper, M.E. Hall, J. Kochendorfer, T.P. Meyers, T. Wilson, and H.J. Diamond. 2013: U.S. Climate Reference Network Soil Moisture and Temperature Observations. J. Hydrometeorol., doi: 10.1175/JHM-D-12-0146.1
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Humidity
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Radiation > Solar Radiation
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Surface Thermal Properties > Skin Temperature
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Moisture/Water Content
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Soils > Soil Temperature
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Surface Radiation Budget
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Water Vapour
  • Terrestrial - Soil Moisture
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
  • WEATHER STATIONS
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Anemometers
  • PYRANOMETERS
  • FAN-ASPIRATED RADIATION SHIELD
  • Rain Gauges
  • SOIL TEMPERATURE PROBE
  • SOIL MOISTURE PROBE
  • TEMPERATURE SENSORS
  • HUMIDITY SENSORS
  • Thermometers
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Polar
  • Geographic Region > Mid-Latitude
  • Continent > North America
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America > Hawaii
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America > Alaska
Project keywords Keyword Thesaurus Title
  • U.S. Climate Reference Network > USCRN
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • 250 km - < 500 km or approximately 2.5 degrees - < 5.0 degrees
  • 1 meter - < 30 meters
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • < 1 meter
  • 1 meter - < 10 meters
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Boundary Layer
Use Constraints
  • **Please note, this dataset has been superseded by a newer version (see below). Users should not use this version except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing previous studies that used this version).**
  • 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: 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: 2023-06-23
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