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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset, Version 4.0

NOAAGlobalTemp v4.0

browse graphicAnnual Mean Anomaly Time Series and Trends for 1995-2014: Version 4.0.0 versus Version 3.5.4
The NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset (NOAAGlobalTemp) is derived from two independent analyses: the Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) analysis and the land surface temperature (LST) analysis using the Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) temperature database. The data is merged into a monthly global surface temperature dataset dating back from 1880 to the present, updated monthly, in gridded (5 degree x 5 degree) and time series formats. This data set is used in climate monitoring assessments of near-surface temperatures on a global scale. The changes from version 3.5.4 to version 4.0.0 include an update to the primary input dataset (ERSST) now at version 4.0.0 and GHCN-Monthly now at version 3.3.0. This dataset is formerly known as Merged Land-Ocean Surface Temperature (MLOST).
  • Cite as: Zhang, H.-M., B. Huang, J. Lawrimore, M. Menne, Thomas M. Smith, NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset (NOAAGlobalTemp), Version 4.0 [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5FN144H [access date].
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00934
Full Text · XML
Download Data
  • NOAA Global Surface Temperature Data FT.P (download)
    Access to the data via FTP. Data access for monthly and annual land-ocean temperature time series are available from 1880 to present for several zonal bands.
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • fixed-length ASCII text
    • File Specification: Monthly Gridded and Timeseries data in both FORTRAN IEEE binary and ASCII text formats
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.orders@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Huai-Min Zhang
Physical Scientist
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
828-271-4090
huai-min.zhang@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Boyin Huang
Physical Scientist
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 (828) 271-4851
boyin.huang@noaa.gov
Time Period 1871-01 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
Dataset Information
General Documentation
Associated Resources
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2015-06-01
Edition Version 4.0
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 Monthly
Purpose This dataset is for climate research, monitoring and assessment.
Use Limitations
  • For a complete description of use limitations for this data set, see the associated documents.
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Zhang, H.-M., B. Huang, J. Lawrimore, M. Menne, Thomas M. Smith, NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset (NOAAGlobalTemp), Version 4.0 [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5FN144H [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Zhang, Huai-Min
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Smith, Thomas M.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > The Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Huang, Boyin
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
  • Lawrimore, Jay
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators
  • Smith, Thomas M.
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/STAR > The Center for Satellite Applications and Research, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Principal Investigators
  • Zhang, Huai-Min
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Collaborators
  • Huang, Boyin
    DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Resource Providers
  • Lawrimore, Jay
    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
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Oceans > Ocean Temperature > Sea Surface Temperature > >
  • Earth Science > Land Surface > Land Temperature > > >
  • Earth Science > Climate Indicators > Atmospheric/Ocean Indicators > Temperature Indicators > >
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Oceanic - Surface - Sea-surface Temperature
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
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
Place keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Continent > > > >
  • Ocean > > > >
Stratum keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
  • Vertical Location > Sea Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Zhang, H.-M., B. Huang, J. Lawrimore, M. Menne, Thomas M. Smith, NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset (NOAAGlobalTemp), Version 4.0 [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi:10.7289/V5FN144H [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 The NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset (GSTD) combines a global sea surface (water) temperature (SST) dataset with a global land surface air temperature dataset into this merged dataset of both the Earth's land and ocean surface temperatures. The SST dataset is the Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST). The land surface air temperature dataset is similar to ERSST, but uses data from the Global Historical Climatology Network Monthly (GHCNM) database. The data were produced by and are archived at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Processing Steps
  • NOAA Global Surface Temperature Dataset (GSTD) combines Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) and data from the Global Historical Climatology Network Monthly (GHCNM) database.
Source Datasets
  • Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) version 4
    • Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) version 4
      Landing page for ERSST v3
    • Description of Source: The sea surface temperature data was provided by the latest Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) version 4
    • Temporal extent used: 1880-01-01 to Present
    • Spatial extent used: N:90 S:90 E:180 W:180
  • Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)
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