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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Global Summary of the Month (GSOM), Version 1

Global Summaries

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This Global Summaries dataset, known as GSOM for Monthly, contains a monthly resolution of meteorological elements from 1763 to present with updates applied weekly. The major parameters are: monthly mean maximum, mean minimum and mean temperatures; monthly total precipitation and snowfall; departure from normal of the mean temperature and total precipitation; monthly heating and cooling degree days; number of days that temperatures and precipitation are above or below certain thresholds; extreme daily temperature and precipitation amounts; number of days with fog; and number of days with thunderstorms. The primary input data source is the Global Historical Climatology Network - Daily (GHCN-Daily) dataset. The Global Summaries datasets also include a yearly resolution of meteorological elements in the GSOY (for Yearly) dataset. See associated resources for more information. These datasets are not to be confused with "GHCN-Monthly", "Annual Summaries" or "NCDC Summary of the Month". There are unique elements that are produced globally within the GSOM and GSOY data files. There are also bias corrected temperature data in GHCN-Monthly, which are not available in GSOM and GSOY. The GSOM and GSOY datasets replace the legacy U.S. COOP Summaries (DSI-3220), and have been expanded to include non-U.S. (global) stations. U.S. COOP Summaries (DSI-3220) only includes National Weather Service (NWS) COOP Published, or "Published in CD", sites.
  • Cite as: Lawrimore, Jay H.; Ray, Ron; Applequist, Scott; Korzeniewski, Bryant; Menne, Matthew J. (2016): Global Summary of the Month (GSOM), Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5QV3JJ5. [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00946
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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
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Time Period 1763-01-01 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
  • Dataset Description Document - Global Summary of the Month Dataset
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2016
Edition Version 1
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 Weekly
Purpose Global Summary of the Month (GSOM) data provides a global summary of meteorological elements (max temp, snow, etc) from 1763 to present with updates weekly on a monthly resolution. The data are computed from input data using the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)-Daily dataset.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Lawrimore, Jay H.; Ray, Ron; Applequist, Scott; Korzeniewski, Bryant; Menne, Matthew J. (2016): Global Summary of the Month (GSOM), Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5QV3JJ5. [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Lawrimore, Jay H.
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Ray, Ron
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Applequist, Scott
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Korzeniewski, Bryant
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Menne, Matthew J.
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Principal Investigators
  • Lawrimore, Jay H.
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Ray, Ron
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Applequist, Scott
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Collaborators
  • Korzeniewski, Bryant
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Menne, Matthew J.
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Pressure > Surface Pressure
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Atmospheric Temperature Indices > Heating Degree Days
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Atmospheric Temperature Indices > Cooling Degree Days
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Winds > Surface Winds
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Tropospheric/Low Level Clouds (observed/Analyzed) > Fog
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Weather Events > Rain Storms
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Pressure
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Wind Speed And Direction
Data Center keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NWS > National Weather Service, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Instrument keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Thermometers
  • Rain Gauges
  • Barometers
  • Anemometers
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
Project keywords
  • Global Summary of the Month (GSOM)
  • Global Summaries
  • Monthly
  • GHCN > Global Historical Climatology Network
Data Resolution keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Monthly - < Annual
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Lawrimore, Jay H.; Ray, Ron; Applequist, Scott; Korzeniewski, Bryant; Menne, Matthew J. (2016): Global Summary of the Month (GSOM), Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. https://doi.org/10.7289/V5QV3JJ5. [access date].
  • 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 was created by and is archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. The primary input data source is the Global Historical Climatology Network - Daily (GHCN-Daily) dataset. These datasets are not to be confused with "GHCN-Monthly", "Annual Summaries" or "NCDC Summary of the Month". There are unique elements that are produced globally within the GSOM and GSOY data files. There are also bias corrected temperature data in GHCN-Monthly, which are not available in GSOM and GSOY. The GSOM and GSOY datasets replace the legacy U.S. COOP Summaries (DSI-3220), and have been expanded to include non-U.S. (global) stations. U.S. COOP Summaries (DSI-3220) only includes National Weather Service (NWS) COOP Published, or "Published in CD", sites.
Processor
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Processing Steps
  • For a description of the processing steps, see the GSOM Dataset Description Document.
Processing Documents
    • Dataset Description Document - Global Summary of the Month Dataset
Source Datasets
  • Global Historical Climatology Network - Daily (GHCN-Daily)
    • NCEI landing page for GHCN-Daily
      Source dataset landing page.
    • Description of Source: Observational data from GHCN-Daily.
    • Temporal extent used: 1880-01-01 to Present
    • Spatial extent used: N:83 S:-90 E:180 W:-180
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
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