U.S. Hourly Precipitation Data

Precipitation Hourly

Hourly Precipitation Data GIS image

Hourly Precipitation Data (HPD) is digital data set DSI-3240, archived at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). The primary source of data for this file is approximately 5,500 US National Weather Service (NWS), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and cooperative observer stations in the United States of America, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and various Pacific Islands. The earliest data dates vary considerably by state and region: Maine, Pennsylvania, and Texas have data since 1900. The western Pacific region that includes Guam, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau have data since 1978. Other states and regions have earliest dates between those extremes. The latest data in all states and regions is from the present day. The major parameter in DSI-3240 is precipitation amounts, which are measurements of hourly or daily precipitation accumulation. Accumulation was for longer periods of time if for any reason the rain gauge was out of service or no observer was present. DSI 3240_01 contains data grouped by state; DSI 3240_02 contains data grouped by year.

Dataset Citation

Cite dataset when used as a source.

Dataset Identifiers

NCEI DSI 3240_01
NCEI DSI 3240_02
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00313

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

C00313

XML


Search Data	NCEI Climate Data Online Data Search (search) Search for the dataset via a text-based interface. NCEI Climate Data Online Map Server (search) Dynamic GIS mapping application to locate stations and data for selected layers. NCEI ArcGIS REST Services Directory (search) ArcGIS Server REST API for the dataset.
Download Data	Direct Download (Dataset Files) (download) Direct download for the dataset. KMZ file for dataset (download) Direct download link for KMZ file. Hourly Precipitation CSV Sample (download) This sample data file shows how the data are formatted in CSV and is for example purposes only. Hourly Precipitation fixed-length ASCII Sample (download) This sample data file shows how the data are formatted in fixed-length ASCII text and is for example purposes only.
Distribution Formats	CSV fixed-length ASCII text ArcGIS KMZ PDF
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	1940-01-01 to 2013-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	N: 72.0 S: -15.0 E: -60.0 W: 130.0
Spatial Coverage Map


Dataset Information	Hourly Precipitation Dataset Homepage Informational resources and data from the Hourly Precipitation dataset.
General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset. NCEI Dataset Documentation Documentation of the dataset including a data description, format layout and definitions.
Associated Resources	Hourly Precipitation Data (HPD) Publication Hourly Precipitation Data (HPD) Publication Follow the link for more information about the related Hourly Precipitation Data Publication.


Publication Dates	publication: 1951-10
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Under development - data is currently in the process of being created
Data Update Frequency	As needed
Purpose	This dataset contains historical hourly precipitation observations for selected U.S. stations. Data values are typically delayed six months or more.


Dataset Citation	Cite dataset when used as a source.
Cited Authors	User Engagement and Services Branch DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce User Engagement and Services Branch DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Originators	User Engagement and Services Branch 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 DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce


Theme keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Station Height Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
Data Center keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Place keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Geographic Region > Polar Geographic Region > Mid-Latitude Geographic Region > Equatorial Continent > North America > United States Of America Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Puerto Rico Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin Islands Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Hawaiian Islands Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Guam Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > American Samoa Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Marshall Islands Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Western Pacific Ocean > Micronesia > Palau
Stratum keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Vertical Location > Land Surface


Use Constraints	Cite dataset when used as a source. 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.

Use Constraints

Cite dataset when used as a source.

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 data in this file are a combination of original observations of hourly and daily accumulated precipitation. Precipitation values are checked and edited as necessary by an automated and manual edit.
Processing Steps	Fischer-Porter precipitation gauges record data on punched paper tapes. A device known as the Mitron reader translates the data at NCDC. The Universal Rain gauge records data on paper charts. The precipitation recorded on the charts is then digitized. The data from the Surface Climate Information Archive and Dissemination System (SCIADS) or primary stations is also entered.
Source Datasets	Data from weighing rain gages, Fischer-Porter gages, Universal rain gages and in recent years, more modern measuring equipment in conjunction with automated recording sites Description of Source: Keyed and digitized rain gage forms (historic) and digitally captured precipitation from automated stations (modern). Temporal extent used: 1940-01-01 to 2013-12-31

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.

Acquisition Information (collection)
Instrument	AWS > AUTOMATED WEATHER SYSTEM RAIN GAUGES
Platform	METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS

Last Modified: 2023-06-23

For questions about the information on this page, please email: ncei.info@noaa.gov