Skip to main content
Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA) - Monthly Means (Version Superseded)

browse graphicUpper air ballon
**Please note, this dataset has been superseded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).** Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive is a digital data set archived at the former National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), now National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). This dataset contains monthly means of geopotential height, temperature, zonal wind, and meridional wind derived from the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive (IGRA). IGRA consists of radiosonde and pilot balloon observations at over 1500 globally distributed stations, and monthly means are available for the surface and mandatory levels at many of these stations. The period of record varies from station to station, with many extending from 1970 to 2016. Monthly means are computed separately for the nominal times of 0000 and 1200 UTC, considering data within two hours of each nominal time. A mean is provided, along with the number of values used to calculate it, whenever there are at least 10 values for a particular station, month, nominal time, and level.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 6351_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00617
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00617
Full Text · XML
Order Data
  • NCEI Customer Support (order)
    NCEI provides customers with information and data from the NCEI archive. To order NCEI products and services contact the customer support team.
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • ASCII
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
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
1-828-271-4800
NCEI.IGRA@noaa.gov
Time Period 1947-01-01 to 2016
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.00
East: 180.00
South: -90.00
North: 90.00
Spatial Coverage Map
Dataset Information
  • NOAA website for IGRA
    Current dataset version landing page for more information, documentation and background on this dataset
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: unknown
Edition Version 1.0
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 To make a wide range of climatic data available to researchers and the public.
Cited Authors
  • User Engagement and Services Branch
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • User Engagement and Services Branch
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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 Pressure > Atmospheric Pressure Measurements
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Pressure Tendency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Geopotential Height
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Tropopause
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Temperature Tendency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Water Vapor > Water Vapor Indicators > Dew Point Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Tendency
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Upper Level Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Wind Profiles
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Stratosphere
  • Vertical Location > Troposphere
Use Constraints
  • **Please note, this dataset has been superseded by a newer version. 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: dataset
Processing Steps
  • Individual IGRA soundings are available in Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive DSI-6353 (C00975).
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.
Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument
  • > RADIOSONDES
Platform
  • RADIOSONDES
Last Modified: 2023-06-23
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov