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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly Temperature, Version 4

GHCN-M v4 Temperature

browse graphicGHCN-M v4 Station Map
The GHCN-Monthly Temperature Version 4 dataset consists of monthly mean temperature (both raw and bias corrected data), monthly mean maximum, and minimum temperature. GHCN-M is the core global land surface air temperature dataset used for climate monitoring and assessment activities. GHCN-M version 4 contains monthly mean temperature for over 25,000 stations across the globe and brings consistency with temperature observations found in the GHCN-Daily dataset.
  • Users should cite this dataset as: Menne, Matthew J.; Gleason, Byron E.; Lawrimore, Jay; Rennie, Jared; and Williams, Claude N. (2017): Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly Temperature [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5XW4GTH [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00950
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Distribution Formats
  • ASCII Text
    • File Specification: See GHCN-M documentation for details.
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 Point of Contact GHCN-M Product Team
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 (828) 271-4800
ncdc.ghcnm@noaa.gov
Time Period 1701-01-01 to Present (time interval: 1-month)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -180.0
East: 180.0
South: -90.0
North: 90.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • GHCN-Monthly, Version 4, Flag File
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2017
Edition BETA release of Version 4
Data Presentation Form Digital document - digital representation of a primarily textual item (can contain illustrations also)
Dataset Progress Status Ongoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Monthly
Purpose The primary use will be for Global Climate Monitoring and Applied Climate Research.
Use Limitations
  • Delays in data collection are expected. The data file contains the most complete set of data available up to the date of data release. Limitations will be covered in more detail in the Menne, et al. (2016) paper.
Dataset Citation
  • Users should cite this dataset as: Menne, Matthew J.; Gleason, Byron E.; Lawrimore, Jay; Rennie, Jared; and Williams, Claude N. (2017): Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly Temperature [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5XW4GTH [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Menne, Matthew J.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Gleason, Byron E.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Lawrimore, Jay
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Rennie, Jared
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Williams, Claude N.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Principal Investigators
  • Menne, Matthew J.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Collaborators
  • Gleason, Byron E.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Lawrimore, Jay
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Rennie, Jared
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Williams, Claude N.
    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
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
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
Platform keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Fixed Observation Stations
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Thermometers
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
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
  • Users should cite this dataset as: Menne, Matthew J.; Gleason, Byron E.; Lawrimore, Jay; Rennie, Jared; and Williams, Claude N. (2017): Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly Temperature [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5XW4GTH [access date].
  • Daily updates to GHCN-M V4 are available for users that require rapid access to the most current data. However, they will not be retained long-term. If research and citation require reference to the data in the long-term, please refer to permanently retained files, archived once per month. (Available upon request)
  • 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 All data derive directly from the ISTI Databank. However, much of the data used indirectly derived from GHCN-Daily.
Processing Steps
  • In large part GHCN-M version 4 uses the same quality control and bias correction algorithms as version 3. The greatest difference from the previous version is a greatly expanded set of stations.
Processing Documents
    • GHCN-Monthly, Version 4, Flag File
Source Datasets
  • International Surface Temperature Initiative (ISTI) Global Land Surface Temperature Databank
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