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Reference Climatological Stations


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                electronicMailAddress:  ncei.info@noaa.gov
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    dateStamp:  2023-06-23
    metadataStandardName:  ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data
    metadataStandardVersion:  ISO 19115-2:2009(E)
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        citation:  (CI_Citation)
            title:  Reference Climatological Stations
            date: (unknown)
            identifier:  (MD_Identifier)
                code:  NCEI DSI 3230_01
            identifier:  (MD_Identifier)
                code:  gov.noaa.ncdc:C01300
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                organisationName:  DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
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        abstract:  The Reference Climatological Stations (RCS) network represents the first effort by NOAA to create and maintain a nationwide network of stations located only in areas where no changes in the surroundings are foreseen. Efforts to establish the network began in 1954 by the National Weather Service. The network became operational in 1966 with the selection of fifteen stations from a list of 28 candidate sites; six more were added as the network expanded. Most stations were located at university agricultural experiment stations. Core data elements include temperature, rainfall, and wind speed & direction. Some stations also measured evaporation and soil temperature. Observations were taken daily by volunteer observers, and were a subset of the extensive NWS Cooperative Observations network. Stations were assigned Cooperative Station IDs, but were provided with special forms on which to record wind speed and direction, elements not recorded at other Coop stations.
        purpose:  Provides in-situ climatological data for the study of climate variability. Data from these stations were less likely to be biased or contaminated by anthropogenic changes to the environment.
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                    deliveryPoint:  151 Patton Avenue
                    deliveryPoint:  Veach-Baley Federal Building, Room 468
                    city:  Asheville
                    administrativeArea:  NC
                    postalCode:  28801-5001
                    country:  USA
                    electronicMailAddress:  ncei.orders@noaa.gov
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            fileName: https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/metadata/images/C01300_dsi3230.jpg
            fileDescription:  Map of RCS stations
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            keyword:  Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Speed
            keyword:  Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds > Wind Direction
            keyword:  Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
            keyword:  Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation
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                    organisationName:  Global Change Data Center, Science and Exploration Directorate, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
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                            description:  The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords.
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            keyword:  Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
            keyword:  Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
            keyword:  Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
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                title:  Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
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                    date:  2017
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                edition:  Release 2017
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                title:  Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
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            keyword:  Rain Gauges
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                            description:  The information provided on this page seeks to define how the GCMD Keywords are structured, used and accessed. It also provides information on how users can participate in the further development of the keywords.
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            otherConstraints:  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.
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            otherConstraints:  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.
        language:  eng; USA
        topicCategory:  (MD_TopicCategoryCode) climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere
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                    description:  ground condition
                    beginPosition:  1986-01-01
                    endPosition:  1986-09-30
                    timeInterval:  1
        supplementalInformation:  All data except wind data have been included in much larger Summary of the Day (DSI-3200) and Summary of the Month (DSI-3220) datasets, and are generally included in the GHCN-Daily homogenized dataset.
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                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.
                orderingInstructions:  Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
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                    name:  The Reference Climatological System (RCS) Processing System
                    description:  More information about the RCS and its resulting dataset.
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            statement:  Observations were taken by volunteer observers under the supervision of the National Weather Service. The NWS collected and submitted observation forms to NCDC, where the data were key-entered to produce this dataset.
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                other:  NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
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                description:  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.
                dateTime:
                  DateTime:  2015-04-22T00:00:00
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        maintenanceNote:  Bulk metadata change applied on 2023-06-23. See version control repository history for metadata change details.