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International Surface Temperature Initiative (ISTI) Global Land Surface Temperature Databank - Stage 1 Monthly

The global land surface temperature databank contains monthly timescale mean, max, and min temperature for approximately 40,000 stations globally. It was developed as part of the International Surface Temperature Initiative. This is the global repository for all monthly timescale land surface observations from the 1800s to present and uses data deriving from sub-daily, daily, and monthly observations. It brings together data from more than 45 sources and is used in the creation of various integrated global temperature resources, most notably Global Historical Climatology Network Monthly (GHCN-M) v4. Monthly Data is purposefully provided as raw, non-homogenized observations with no integrated quality control performed. Data are submitted as-is from the data provider to ensure absolute data integrity and visibility of the data.
Cite this dataset when used as a source.
  • NCEI DSI 9151_01
  • gov.noaa.ncdc:C00847
C00847
XML
Download Data
Distribution Formats
  • XML
  • TAR
    • File Specification:
    • File Compression:
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 Jay Lawrimore
Ingest and Analysis Branch Chief
DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
+1 828-271-4800
jay.lawrimore@noaa.gov
Coverage Description
Time Period1800-01-01 to Present
Spatial Bounding Box Coordinates
N: 90.0
S: -90.0
E: 180.0
W: -180.0
Spatial Coverage Map
General Documentation
Processing Documents
  • Stage 1 Monthly README
Publication Dates
  • publication: 2013-05-01
Editionv1
Data Presentation Form Digital table - digital representation of facts or figures systematically displayed, especially in columns
Dataset Progress StatusOngoing - data is continually being updated
Data Update Frequency Monthly
PurposeStage 1 Monthly data will be standardized and used in the production of Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN) products. This data will also be made available so that other scientists and research organizations can use the data to create new temperature products as needed.
Use Limitations
  • Data received as-is from data sources
Cited Authors
  • International Surface Temperature Initiative
Originators
  • International Surface Temperature Initiative
Publishers
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCEI > National Centers for Environmental Information, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Theme keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Air Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Atmospheric Temperature > Surface Temperature > Maximum/Minimum Temperature
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Precipitation Amount
  • Earth Science > Atmosphere > Precipitation > Solid Precipitation > Snow
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Essential Climate Variables (ECVs)
  • Atmospheric - Surface - Air Temperature
Data Center keywordsGlobal 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
Platform keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords
  • Fixed Observation Stations
  • GROUND-BASED OBSERVATIONS
  • COASTAL STATIONS
  • Meteorological Stations
Instrument keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords
  • Thermometers
  • Rain Gauges
Place keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Geographic Region > Global
  • Geographic Region > Global Land
Project keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Project Keywords
  • GHCN > Global Historical Climatology Network
Data Resolution keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Horizontal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Vertical Data Resolution Keywords
  • Point Resolution
Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Temporal Data Resolution Keywords
  • Hourly - < Daily
Stratum keywordsGlobal Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords
  • Vertical Location > Land Surface
Use ConstraintsNo constraint information available
Other ConstraintsNone
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 global databank aims to be a repository for original raw climate observations that have not been subjected to quality control or homogeneity adjustments. If only quality controlled or bias corrected data are available, providers are requested to provide information on the procedures used and relevant flagging schemes associated with each observation. The highest priority is collection of temperature data on Daily and Monthly timescales. The databank hosts also would like to collect precipitation data and other elements as well as data collected on sub-daily timescales (e.g., hourly) if they are available. The data is provided in the original native format. Examples of possible formats include ASCII text, Microsoft Excel, XML, NetCDF, and any other used to originally digitize the raw observations.
Processor
  • DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC > National Climatic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce
Processing Steps
  • Data received and accepted for inclusion in the Stage 1 level of the ISTI databank; no changes or re-formatting occurs at this stage
    Rationale: Data is accepted as is: there is a risk in asking providers to change formats because changes may introduce an error that then becomes invisible to both us and end-users. To ensure provenance, it is important to keep data processing visible from start to finish.
Processing EnvironmentInformation can be found in source documentation provided with data files.
Processing Documents
    • Stage 1 Monthly README
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