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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 1 (Superseded Version)

USHCN v1 / HCN

**This dataset has been superseded by a newer version. This version of the data should not be used except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing studies that used this earlier version).** The U.S. Historical Climatology Network Monthly Data, Version 1 contains precipitation and temperature data adjustments to the monthly mean maximum, minimum, and average temperature data that addressed potential changes in biases (inhomogeneities) in data from USHCN stations documented in NCEI's station history archives. The USHCN is comprised of 1221 high-quality stations from the U.S. Cooperative Observing Network within the 48 contiguous United States. Stations have been selected according to coverage, length of data record and completeness, and historical stability. Data includes sets of Maximum, Minimum and Average Temperature and Precipitation data that are adjusted based on several qualifiers, including: time of observation (Karl et al. 1986), station moves and instrument changes (Karl and Williams, 1987; Quayle et al., 1991), and apparent urbanization effects with a specific urban bias correction (Karl et al. 1988). Included with the data set are metadata files that contain station history information about station moves, instrumentation, observing times, and elevation.

The archive also includes data that is not officially USHCN data but is from stations in the network: Daily Snow Depth (1893-1992) and Monthly Sunshine and Clouds (1891-1987).
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 6900_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00421
  • NCEI DSI 6900_02
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00421
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Other Access
Distribution Formats
  • ASCII Text
Distributor Customer Engagement Branch
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Customer Engagement Branch
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Time Period 1891-01-01 to 2013-01-10 (time interval: 1-month)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: 172.0
East: -66.0
South: 18.0
North: 72.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • United States Historical Climatology Network (HCN) Serial Temperature and Precipitation Data.
  • United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 2.5 Landing Page
  • A new method of detecting undocumented discontinuities in climatological time series
    • Science Paper
      Easterling, D.R., Peterson, T.C., science paper related to the dataset
  • A model to estimate the time of observation bias associated with monthly mean maximum, minimum, and mean temperature for the United States
    • Science Paper
      Karl, T.R., et all, science paper related to the dataset
  • An approach to adjusting climatological time series for discontinuous inhomogeneities
    • Science Paper
      Karl, T.R., Williams Jr., C.W., science paper related to the dataset
  • Urbanization: its detection and effect in the United States climate record
    • Science Paper
      Karl, T.R., Diaz, H.F., Kukla, G. science paper related to the dataset
  • United States Historical Climatology Network (HCN) Serial Temperature and Precipitation Data, Publication No. 3404
  • Creation of homogeneous composite climatological reference series
    • Science Paper
      Peterson, T.C., Easterling, D.R. science paper related to the dataset
  • Effects of recent thermometer changes in the cooperative station network
    • Science Paper
      Quayle, R.G., et al. science paper related to the dataset
Publication Dates
  • publication: 1987
  • revision: 1990
Edition Version 1
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Complete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Not planned
Purpose Data are adjusted to reflect a more accurate climate record, accounting for changes in instrumentation, station changes, and observation practices.
Use Limitations
  • This dataset has been superseded by a newer version. This version of the data should not be used except in rare cases (e.g., when reproducing studies that used this earlier version).
Dataset Citation
  • Cite this dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOE/ORNL/ESD/CDIAC > Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U. S. Department of Energy
Originators
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOE/ORNL/ESD/CDIAC > Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Environmental Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U. S. Department of Energy
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 > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
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
  • Meteorological Stations
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Thermometers
  • Rain Gauges
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > North America > United States Of America
Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • HCN > Historical Climatology Network
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
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Weekly - < Monthly
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
Keywords
  • Metadata_Not_Published
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 data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media.
Lineage information for: dataset
Lineage Statement The data were produced in cooperation with the Department of Energy's Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC) and the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC, now NCEI). It was originally referred to as the Historical Climatology Network (HCN). Major revisions were released in 1990 and 1996, all considered part of the Version 1 dataset.
Processing Steps
  • See documentation for more information about the development of the dataset.
Source Datasets
  • Cooperative (COOP) Network raw observation data
    • Cooperative (COOP) Network raw observation data
      Source dataset landing page with general information and access links for that dataset.
    • Description of Source: Most data derives from the Cooperative Observer (COOP) Network. Only a subset of stations were used.
    • Temporal extent used: 1891 to 2000
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: 2018-11-05
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.orders@noaa.gov