NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) 15-minute Precipitation Data, Version 1

Precipitation 15 Minute

15 Minute Precipitation Data GIS Image

The NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) 15-Minute Precipitation Data consists of quality controlled precipitation amounts, which are measurements of 15 minute accumulation of precipitation, including rain and snow for approximately 2,000 observing stations around the country, and several U.S. territories in the Caribbean and Pacific operated or managed by the NOAA National Weather Service (NWS). Stations are primary, secondary, or cooperative observer sites that have the capability to measure precipitation at 15 minute intervals. This dataset contains 15-minute precipitation data (reported 4 times per hour, if precipitation occurred) for U.S. stations along with selected non-U.S. stations in U.S. territories and associated nations. It includes major city locations and many small town locations. Daily total precipitation is also included as part of the data record. The dataset period of record is from May 1970 to December 2013. The dataset is archived by the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).

Dataset Citation

Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (2008). NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) 15-minute Precipitation Data, Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. NCEI DSI 3260. Accessed [date].

Dataset Identifiers

NCEI DSI 3260
gov.noaa.ncdc:C00505

ISO 19115-2 Metadata

C00505

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.
Download Data	Direct Download (Dataset Files) (download) Direct download for the dataset by state code. Direct Download (Dataset Files) (download) Direct download for the dataset by year. KMZ file for dataset (download) Direct download link for KMZ file. 15 Minute Precipitation CSV Sample (download) This sample data file shows how the data are formatted in CSV and is for example purposes only. 15 Minute 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 TSV 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	1970-05-01 to 2014-12-31
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates	N: 72.0 S: -15.0 E: -60.0 W: 130.0
Spatial Coverage Map


General Documentation	NCEI Dataset Landing Page Landing page for the dataset. Dataset Documentation Documentation of the dataset including a data description, format layout and definitions.


Publication Dates	publication: 2008
Data Presentation Form	Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress Status	Historical archive - data has been stored in an offline storage facility
Data Update Frequency	As needed
Purpose	This dataset contains historical 15-minute precipitation observations for selected U.S. stations. Data values were typically delayed six months or more.


Dataset Citation	Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (2008). NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) 15-minute Precipitation Data, Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. NCEI DSI 3260. Accessed [date].
Cited Authors	NOAA National Weather Service
Originators	NOAA National Weather Service
Publishers	NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information


Theme keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords Earth Science > Atmosphere > Altitude > Station Height Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Rate Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Liquid Precipitation > Rain
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 Continent > North America > United States Of America Ocean > Atlantic Ocean > North Atlantic Ocean > Caribbean Sea > Virgin 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 Ocean > Pacific Ocean > Central Pacific Ocean > Wake Island
Stratum keywords	Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords Vertical Location > Land Surface


Use Constraints	Cite as: NOAA National Weather Service (2008). NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) 15-minute Precipitation Data, Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. NCEI DSI 3260. Accessed [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. Use Constraints: These data are made freely available to the public and the scientific community in the belief that their wide dissemination will lead to greater understanding and new scientific insights. The availability of these data does not constitute publication of the data. NOAA relies on the ethics and integrity of the user to assure that NCDC receives fair credit for their work. If the data are obtained for potential use in a publication or presentation, NCDC should be informed at the outset of the nature of this work. If the NCDC data are essential to the work, or if an important result or conclusion depends on the NCDC data, co-authorship may be appropriate. This should be discussed at an early stage in the work. Manuscripts using the NCDC data should be sent to NCDC for review before they are submitted for publication so we can insure that the quality and limitations of the data are accurately represented.
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 as: NOAA National Weather Service (2008). NOAA Cooperative Observer Program (COOP) 15-minute Precipitation Data, Version 1. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. NCEI DSI 3260. Accessed [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.

Use Constraints: These data are made freely available to the public and the scientific community in the belief that their wide dissemination will lead to greater understanding and new scientific insights. The availability of these data does not constitute publication of the data. NOAA relies on the ethics and integrity of the user to assure that NCDC receives fair credit for their work. If the data are obtained for potential use in a publication or presentation, NCDC should be informed at the outset of the nature of this work. If the NCDC data are essential to the work, or if an important result or conclusion depends on the NCDC data, co-authorship may be appropriate. This should be discussed at an early stage in the work. Manuscripts using the NCDC data should be sent to NCDC for review before they are submitted for publication so we can insure that the quality and limitations of the data are accurately represented.

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
Processing Steps	Not derived from another source.

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	RAIN GAUGES
Platform	METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS

Last Modified: 2025-06-12T14:53:51

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