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Dataset Overview | National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

North American Dataset

NorthAm

browse graphicNorth American Annual Average Trends Map
The North American Dataset contains sets of Maximum, Minimum and Average Temperature data 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). These files contain North American stations and its data are measured in hundredths of degrees Celsius (without decimal place) for temperature and tenths of millimeters (without decimal place) for Precipitation. Each file includes the entire available Period of Record.
  • Cite as: Menne, Matthew J.; Williams, Claude N. Jr.; Korzeniewski, Bryant (2017): North American Dataset, Version 1 [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi: 10.7289/V5348HN5 [indicate access date]
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00949
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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 1850-01-01 to Present (time interval: 1-month)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
West: -179.0
East: -55.0
South: 15.0
North: 72.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
    Publication Dates
    • publication: 2017-10
    Edition Version 1
    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 This dataset is an input to other critical NCEI datasets monitoring climate. Because it incorporates all of North America, instead of just the United States, it has better coverage and can be incorporated into other global datasets.
    Dataset Citation
    • Cite as: Menne, Matthew J.; Williams, Claude N. Jr.; Korzeniewski, Bryant (2017): North American Dataset, Version 1 [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi: 10.7289/V5348HN5 [indicate access date]
    Cited Authors
    • Menne, Matthew J.
      NOAA / NCEI
    • Williams, Claude N. Jr.
      NOAA / NCEI
    • Korzeniewski, Bryant
      NOAA / NCEI
    Principal Investigators
    • Menne, Matthew J.
      NOAA / NCEI
    • Williams, Claude N. Jr.
      NOAA / NCEI
    Collaborators
    • Korzeniewski, Bryant
      NOAA / NCEI
    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 > Air Temperature
    • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation
    • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
    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
    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
    Project keywords Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
    • GHCN > Global 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.; Korzeniewski, Bryant (2017): North American Dataset, Version 1 [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. doi: 10.7289/V5348HN5 [indicate 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
    • Dataset is available upon request.
    • 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 data files for the NorthAm Dataset is generated through the GHCN-Monthly Process. This data has been the calibration dataset for USHCN since V2.
    Processing Steps
    • See associated documentation for more information.
    Processing Documents
      Source Datasets
      • Global Historical Climatology Network - Monthly (GHCN-M), Version 3
      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