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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 2.5

USHCN v2.5

browse graphicCOOP Network Station Map
The U.S. Historical Climatology Network Monthly Data, Version 2.5 consists of precipitation and temperature data "corrected" for changes in station location, instrumentation, and observing practices. The vast majority of stations are from the NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) Network. 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 either (1) raw (non-adjusted though flagged for possible quality issues), (2) adjusted due to time of observation bias (TOB) or (3) put through the Pairwise Homogenization Algorithm (PHA). The data also is archived with station information and source code for reading the data.
  • Cite as: Menne, Matthew J.; Williams, Claude N. Jr. (2012): United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 2.5.x.YYYYMMDD [indicate minor version and date of access]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi: 10.7289/V56W98B4 [indicate access date]
  • Please refer to Credit tab for full citation information.
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00895
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Distribution Formats
  • ASCII Text
  • TXT
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 1891-01-01 to Present (time interval: 1-month)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -125.0
East: -55.0
South: 23.0
North: 52.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Associated Resources
  • The U.S. Historical Climatology Network Monthly Temperature Data, Version 2
    • Science Paper
      Paper describing the Version 2 release of the dataset. Version 2 and 2.5 are very similar. See documentation for more information.
  • United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 2.0 (Superseded Version) Landing Page
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2012-10-01
Edition Version 2.5
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Weekly
Purpose Data are adjusted to reflect a more accurate climate record, accounting for changes in instrumentation, station changes, and observation practices.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Menne, Matthew J.; Williams, Claude N. Jr. (2012): United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 2.5.x.YYYYMMDD [indicate minor version and date of access]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi: 10.7289/V56W98B4 [indicate access date]
  • Users of the data are also requested to cite the paper: Menne, M.J., C.N. Williams, and R.S. Vose, 2009: The United States Historical Climatology Network monthly temperature data, Version 2. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 90, 993-1007.
Cited Authors
  • M.J. Menne
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • C.N. Williams,
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Principal Investigators
  • M.J. Menne
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • C.N. Williams,
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, 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 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) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Weekly - < Monthly
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Menne, Matthew J.; Williams, Claude N. Jr. (2012): United States Historical Climatology Network (USHCN), Version 2.5.x.YYYYMMDD [indicate minor version and date of access]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi: 10.7289/V56W98B4 [indicate access date]
  • Users of the data are also requested to cite the paper: Menne, M.J., C.N. Williams, and R.S. Vose, 2009: The United States Historical Climatology Network monthly temperature data, Version 2. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 90, 993-1007.
  • 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 This dataset replaced the V2 dataset in 2012. The version 2.5 processing steps are essentially the same as in version 2.0, but the version number change reflects modifications to the underlying database as well as coding changes to the pairwise homogenization algorithm (PHA) that improve its overall efficiency.
Processing Steps
  • See documentation for more information about the development of the dataset.
Source Datasets
  • Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly (GHCN-M), Version 3
    • Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly (GHCN-M), Version 3
      Source dataset landing page with general information and access links for that dataset.
    • Description of Source: USHCN data derives from the GHCN-M processing engine. Stations are still primarily part of the Cooperative (COOP) Network.
    • Temporal extent used: 1891 to Present
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
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov