Skip to main content
Skip to site search

Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) Monthly Precipitation, Version 4

GHCN-M V4 Precipitation

browse graphicObservational Density 1950-1999
The Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) Monthly Precipitation, Version 4 is a collection of worldwide monthly precipitation values with measurement, quality control, and source flags for global locations. Values are in tenths of a millimeter and coverage is mostly global land masses with voids as expected in less populated areas. It offers significant enhancements over the previous version 2. It contains more values both historically and for the most recent months. Its methods for merging records and quality control have been modernized. It is used by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) to put recent months' precipitation into a historical context. The data set is updated each month and available through NCEI's data access portal.
  • Cite as: Applequist, Scott; Durre, Imke; Vose, Russell (2024): Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) Monthly Precipitation, Version 4. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25921/67zp-5m03 [access date].
C01657
XML
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • CSV
  • Text
Ordering InstructionsContact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions.
DistributorNOAA 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 GHCNM Contact
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
NCDC.GHCNM@noaa.gov
Dataset Point of Contact Scott Applequist
Physical Scientist
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
828-271-4018
Scott.Applequist@noaa.gov
Time Period1697 to Present (time interval: 1-month)
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 90.0
S: -90.0
E: 180.0
W: -180.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2024-07-09
EditionVersion 4
Dataset Progress StatusComplete - production of the data has been completed
Data Update Frequency Monthly
PurposeResearch into precipitation trends/patterns of the past. Monitoring of current conditions (i.e., from the last few months).
Dataset Citation
  • Cite as: Applequist, Scott; Durre, Imke; Vose, Russell (2024): Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) Monthly Precipitation, Version 4. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25921/67zp-5m03 [access date].
Cited Authors
  • Applequist, Scott
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Durre, Imke
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
  • Vose, Russell
    NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Publishers
  • NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Precipitation
Data Center keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
Stratum keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
Use Constraints
  • Cite as: Applequist, Scott; Durre, Imke; Vose, Russell (2024): Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) Monthly Precipitation, Version 4. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25921/67zp-5m03 [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 StatementThe primary source is GHCN Daily values summed to create monthly totals. These are augmented by several data sets of monthly totals for which the daily values are not available.
Processing EnvironmentProcessing is performed on a Centos linux virtual machine with a collection of shell scripts and FORTRAN and Python programs.
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: 2024-08-20
For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov