MONTHLY DIVISIONAL NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATION 1931-90 TD-9641 National Climatic Data Center Federal Building Asheville, North Carolina DECEMBER 1993 This document was prepared by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Enviromental Satellite Data and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, North Carolina. This document is designed to provide general information on the origin, format integrity and the availibility of these data. Errors found in this document should be brought to the attention of the data Base Administrator, NCDC. See topic 58 for a summary of this data set. Table of Contents INTRODUCTORY TOPICS 1. Data Set ID 2. Data Set Name 3. Data Set Aliases DESCRIPTION 4. Access Method and Sort for Archived Data 5. Access Method and Sort for Supplied Data 6. Element Names and Definitions 7. Start Date 8. Stop Date 9. Parameter 10. Discipline 11. Coverage 12. Location 13. Keyword 14. Storage Medium 15. File Mode 16. How to Acquire the Data 17. Historical and Current Data Sources. 18. Data Derivation, Algorithms 19. Data Derivation Algorithms Responsibility for 20. Project DATA CENTER 21. Archiver 22. Data Center, Originating PERSONNEL 23. Archiver 24. Technical Contact 25. Investigator SENSORS 26. Sensor Name and Operating Principles 27. Sensor Siting 28. Sensor Accuracy and Calibration 29. Sensor Sampling Characteristics 30. Data Capture Method at/near Sensor STATIONS 31. Station Location Accuracy 32. Station Observation Schedule 33. Station Data Time Averaging 34. Station Grouping, Using Spatial Sampling 35. Network Participation 36. Geographical Criteria for Selecting Stations 37. Geographical Distribution 38. Elevation Statement DATA QUALITY 39. Instrument Problems 40. Missing Data Periods 41. Sampling Biases 42. Error Detection and Correction 43. Missing Value Estimates 44. Quality Control Responsibility 45. Known Uncorrected Problems 46. Confidence Factors 47. History of Data Usage 48. Quality Statement DATES 49. Revision Date 50. Science Revision Date 51. Future Review Date OTHER DATA SETS 52. Input Source to this Data Set 53. Essential Companion Data Sets 54. Derived from this Data Set 55. Larger Collections 56. Similar Data Sets SUMMARIZATION 57. Reference 58. Summary MONTHLY DIVISIONAL NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS, 1931-90 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 1. INTRODUCTION: Data Set ID � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 TD9641 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 2. INTRODUCTION: Data Set Name � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 MONTHLY DIVISIONAL NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS, FROM 1931-90, OF TEMPERATURE, PRECIPITATION, AND HEATING AND COOLING DEGREE DAYS. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 3. INTRODUCTION: Data Set Aliases � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Not applicable. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 4. DESCRIPTION: Access Method and Sort for Archived Data � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The data in this data set contains the current official divisional normals, means, standard deviations, and historical sequential monthly temperature, precipitation, and degree day data from 1931-90 in eight parameter-dependent files. Each file has the following format: Columns Description ------- ----------- 1- 1 Element Code. Values are: 1 = mean temperature 2 = total precipitation 3 = heating degree days 4 = cooling degree days 2- 3 State Identifier Code. Values are: 01 Alabama 19 Massachusetts 37 Rhode Island 02 Arizona 20 Michigan 38 South Carolina 03 Arkansas 21 Minnesota 39 South Dakota 04 California 22 Mississippi 40 Tennessee 05 Colorado 23 Missouri 41 Texas 06 Connecticut 24 Montana 42 Utah 07 Delaware 25 Nebraska 43 Vermont 08 Florida 26 Nevada 44 Virginia 09 Georgia 27 New Hampshire 45 Washington 10 Idaho 28 New Jersey 46 West Virginia 11 Illinois 29 New Mexico 47 Wisconsin 12 Indiana 30 New York 48 Wyoming 13 Iowa 31 North Carolina 49 not used 14 Kansas 32 North Dakota 50 Alaska 15 Kentucky 33 Ohio 66 Puerto Rico 16 Louisiana 34 Oklahoma 67 Virgin Islands 17 Maine 35 Oregon 18 Maryland 36 Pennsylvania 4- 5 Climate Division Number (values 01-10) 6- 9 Beginning Year for the Record 10-13 Ending Year for the Record 14-18 Value for January 19-19 Comparison Indicator for January (see below) 20-24 Value for February 25-25 Comparison Indicator for February 26-30 Value for March 31-31 Comparison Indicator for March 32-36 Value for April 37-37 Comparison Indicator for April 38-42 Value for May 43-43 Comparison Indicator for May 44-48 Value for June 49-49 Comparison Indicator for June 50-54 Value for July 55-55 Comparison Indicator for July 56-60 Value for August 61-61 Comparison Indicator for August 62-66 Value for September 67-67 Comparison Indicator for September 68-72 Value for October 73-73 Comparison Indicator for October 74-78 Value for November 79-79 Comparison Indicator for November 80-84 Value for December 85-85 Comparison Indicator for December 86-91 Annual Value 92-92 Comparison Indicator for Annual Value 93-93 Statistic Code. Values are: 1 = sequential year-month data 2 = mean for Beginning Year to Ending Year 3 = standard deviation for Beginning Year to Ending Year 94-96 Degree Day Base Temperature FIRST FILE: SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE The first file contains the official divisional sequential monthly and annual temperature values for January 1931 to December 1990. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 1 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): a year (from 1931-1990) for this record Ending Year (col. 10-13): a year (from 1931-1990) for this record (should be the same as beginning year) Statistic (col. 93): 1 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96) not used The monthly and annual values are coded to tenths of a degree Fahrenheit. The comparison indicator code is either a blank or an asterisk (*), with * indicating a value different from what was previously published. SECOND FILE: TEMPERATURE NORMALS, MEANS, AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS The second file contains the monthly and annual 30-year normals, 60-year means, and corresponding standard deviations for temperature. The Beginning Year and Ending Year fields identify the period for the normals, means, or standard deviations. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 1 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): 1931,1941,1951,1961 Ending Year (col. 10-13): 1960,1970,1980,1990 Statistic (col. 93): 2,3 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): not used The monthly and annual values are coded to tenths of a degree Fahrenheit. The comparison indicator code is either a blank or an asterisk (*), with * indicating a value different from what was previously published. THIRD FILE: SEQUENTIAL PRECIPITATION The third file contains the official divisional sequential monthly and annual precipitation values for January 1931 to December 1990. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 2 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): a year (from 1931-1990) for this record Ending Year (col. 10-13): a year (from 1931-1990) for this record (should be the same as beginning year) Statistic (col. 93): 1 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): not used The monthly and annual values are coded to hundredths of an inch. The comparison indicator code is either a blank or an asterisk (*), with * indicating a value different from what was previously published. FOURTH FILE: PRECIPITATION NORMALS, MEANS, AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS The fourth file contains the monthly and annual 30-year normals, 60-year means, and corresponding standard deviations for precipitation. The Beginning Year and Ending Year fields identify the period for the normals, means, or standard deviations. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 2 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): 1931,1941,1951,1961 Ending Year (col. 10-13): 1960,1970,1980,1990 Statistic (col. 93): 2,3 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): not used The monthly and annual values are coded to hundredths of an inch. The comparison indicator code is either a blank or an asterisk (*), with * indicating a value different from what was previously published. FIFTH FILE: SEQUENTIAL HEATING DEGREE DAYS The fifth file contains the official divisional sequential monthly and annual heating degree day values for January 1931 to December 1990. Each record lists the values for a heating degree day season, which runs from July of the previous year to June of the current year. Consequently, the Ending Year field will identify the season year, and the Beginning Year field will contain the previous year (i.e., Ending Year minus one). The first monthly value field (columns 14-18) will contain the value for July, the next monthly value field (columns 20-24) will contain the value for August, and so forth, with the last monthly value field (columns 80-84) containing the value for June. The annual value is the total of the twelve months (July-June) for that season. The values corresponding to July-December 1930 and January-June 1991 are coded as missing (-9999). The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 3 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): a year (from 1930-1990) (Ending Year minus 1) Ending Year (col. 10-13): a year (from 1931-1991) for this season Statistic (col. 93): 1 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): 065 The monthly and annual values are coded to whole units in degrees Fahrenheit. The heating degree days are a derived quantity computed using the Thom algorithm with a new (1931-90) standardizing period (see Topic 18: Data Derivation Algorithms). Therefore, any comparison with previously published values would be misleading. SIXTH FILE: HEATING DEGREE DAY NORMALS, MEANS, AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS The sixth file contains the 30-year normals, 60-year means, and corresponding standard deviations for heating degree days. The Beginning Year and Ending Year fields identify the period for the normals, means, or standard deviations. A heating degree day season runs from July through June. Consequently, the value July is listed in the first monthly value field (columns 14-18), August is listed in the second monthly value field (columns 20-24), and so forth, with June listed in columns 80-84. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 3 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): 1931,1941,1951,1961 Ending Year (col. 10-13): 1960,1970,1980,1990 Statistic (col. 93): 2,3 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): 065 The monthly and annual values are coded to whole units in degrees Fahrenheit. The heating degree days are a derived quantity computed using the Thom algorithm with a new (1931-90) standardizing period (see Topic 18: Data Derivation Algorithms). Therefore, any comparison with previously-published values would be misleading. A pound symbol (#) in the Comparison Indicator field next to a value of zero indicates that the value is greater than 0.0 but less than 0.5. SEVENTH FILE: SEQUENTIAL COOLING DEGREE DAYS The seventh file contains the official divisional sequential monthly and annual cooling degree day values for January 1931 to December 1990. A cooling degree day season runs from January to December, so the seasonal value is the annual value for the indicated year. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 4 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): a year (from 1931-1990) for this record Ending Year (col. 10-13): a year (from 1931-1990) (same as Beginning Year) Statistic (col. 93): 1 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): 065 The monthly and annual values are coded to whole units in degrees Fahrenheit. The cooling degree days are a derived quantity computed using the Thom algorithm with a new (1931-90) standardizing period (see Topic 18: Data Derivation Algorithms). Therefore, any comparison with previously-published values would be misleading. EIGHTH FILE: COOLING DEGREE DAY NORMALS, MEANS, AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS The eighth file contains the 30-year normals, 60-year means, and corresponding standard deviations for cooling degree days. The Beginning Year and Ending Year fields identify the period the normals, means, or standard deviations are for. The following values coded in the following record fields are specific to this file: Record Field Value ------------ ----- Element Code (column 1): 4 Beginning Year (col. 6-9): 1931,1941,1951,1961 Ending Year (col. 10-13): 1960,1970,1980,1990 Statistic (col. 93): 2,3 Degree Day Base (col. 94-96): 065 The monthly and annual values are coded to whole units in degrees Fahrenheit. The cooling degree days are a derived quantity computed using the Thom algorithm with a new (1931-90) standardizing period (see Topic 18: Data Derivation Algorithms). Therefore, any comparison with previously-published values would be misleading. A pound symbol (#) in the Comparison Indicator field next to a value of zero indicates that the value is greater than 0.0 but less than 0.5. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 5. DESCRIPTION: Access Method and Sort for Supplied Data � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Same as Topic 4 (Access Method and Sort for Archived Data). 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 6. DESCRIPTION: Element Names and Definitions � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 7. DESCRIPTION: Start Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 January 1931. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 8. DESCRIPTION: Stop Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 December 1990. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 9. DESCRIPTION: Parameter � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� This data set includes the following statistical parameters: monthly and annual values, monthly and annual means and normals, and monthly and annual standard deviations. The parameters were computed for the following climatic elements: mean temperature, total precipitation, heating degree days, and cooling degree days. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 10. DESCRIPTION: Discipline � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Earth Science>Atmosphere>Meteorology Earth Science>Atmosphere>Climatology Earth Science>Atmosphere>Hydrology Earth Science>Land>Agriculture Public Utility Companies 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 11. DESCRIPTION: Coverage � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Latitude range: 17d30m N to 72d00m N longitude range: 172d00m E to 64d30m W 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 12. DESCRIPTION: Location � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Climate divisions for the contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 13. DESCRIPTION: Keyword � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Meteorology Climatology Hydrology Agriculture Building and Construction Mean Temperature Precipitation Heating Degree Days Cooling Degree Days Normals Means Standard Deviations Thom Method TD9641 9641 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 14. DESCRIPTION: Storage Medium � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The digital data are archived in a fixed length ASCII format on one unlabeled magnetic cartridge tape. The tape contains eight files of the divisional normals, means, standard deviations, and sequential data for the 1931-90 period. 컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 15. DESCRIPTION: File Mode � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� ASCII 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 16. DESCRIPTION: How to Order Data � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Ask NCDC's Customer Service Group about costs and how to order the data. Call 704-271-4800, fax 704-271-4876, or write to: Customer Service Group, National Climatic Data Center, Federal Building, 37 Battery Park Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801-2733. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 17. DESCRIPTION: Sources � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� See next topic (Topic 18: Data Derivation, Algorithms). 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 18. DESCRIPTION: Data Derivation Algorithms � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The data in this data set are for climate divisions. A division represents a region within a state that is climatically quasi-homogeneous or, in some cases, a semi-homogeneous drainage basin. As such, some areas may experience rather extreme variations within a division (for example, the Rocky Mountain states). The monthly divisional value for a given year and month is calculated by averaging the monthly data for all stations in the division that furnished both temperature and precipitation records for the month. The divisions have been established to satisfy researchers in hydrology, agriculture, energy supply, etc., who require data averaged over an area of a state rather than for a point (station). Divisional data have been found to be useful for building larger area averages (e.g., for entire states or regions). The data presented have many applications, but like all climatological products they must be used within the framework for which they were designed. The Virgin Islands data from St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John have been combined into a three-island average. Division 7 (Outlying Islands) in Puerto Rico is omitted. DERIVATION OF DEGREE DAYS The divisional degree day values were not computed from station degree day values. They are, instead, based on model output generated by conversion formulae developed by Thom (1954a, 1954b, 1966). The Thom model was used because complete station degree day data were not available. Monthly degree day data values for stations could be computed from daily degree day data values if there were no missing data. If even one day's degree day value is missing, then a monthly degree day total for the station cannot be accurately computed. Since divisional values are computed by averaging the station values within the division, the lack of complete station degree day data made it very difficult to compute accurate divisional monthly degree day values. The degree day model developed by Thom computes historical sequential monthly degree days using the historical sequential monthly temperature values and the standard deviation of the temperature values over a standardizing period. The reader is referred to Thom (1954a, 1954b, 1966) for a detailed description of the rational conversion formulae and for the statistical theory behind the model. The standardizing period used to compute the sequential monthly degree day values was 1931-90. The Thom model was used to compute derived sequential monthly heating and cooling degree day values for January 1931 to December 1990 for each division, based on the division's sequential monthly temperature data. The monthly degree day values within a year (or degree day 'season') were summed to compute an annual degree day value for each year. COMPUTATIONAL PERIODS A normal has been defined by international agreements as the arithmetic average or mean of a climatological element over three consecutive decades (Guttman, 1989). A standard deviation for a period measures the spread or dispersion of the period's values about their mean; i.e., their deviation from the mean (Miller et al., 1990). The standard deviation or dispersion about the mean is small if the values are closely bunched about their mean, and it is large if the values are scattered widely about their mean. Normals and standard deviations were computed for the following periods: 1931-60, 1941-70, 1951-80, and 1961-90. The monthly normals for a division were computed by adding the 30 values from the appropriate time period for a given month and then dividing by the number of years (i.e., 30) in the period. Monthly averages and standard deviations were computed for the 1931-90 period, with the averages computed by adding the 60 values from the period and then dividing by the number of years (i.e., 60) in the period. For temperature, the annual normals and 60-year annual averages were computed by adding all of the monthly normal or monthly long-term average values and then dividing by 12. For precipitation and degree days, the annual normals and 60-year annual averages were computed by adding the 12 monthly normal or long-term monthly average values. If an annual normal were computed by averaging the annual values obtained for each year in the period, it may be slightly different from the sum of the 12 monthly normals (long-term averages) because of rounding differences. DIFFERENCES FROM PREVIOUSLY-PUBLISHED NORMALS The normals and standard deviations in this data set are published in the two-volume publication, CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 85: DIVISIONAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS 1931-90 and CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 85: DIVISIONAL HEATING AND COOLING DEGREE DAY NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS 1931-90 (jointly referred to as CLIM85). The monthly and annual temperature and precipitation normals and standard deviations for 1931-60, 1941-70, and 1951-80 for some divisions may differ from the corresponding normals and standard deviations printed in earlier editions of the CLIM85 publication. This is due to a change in the divisional data base that occurred in the 1980's. Background: In the early days of computer processing (i.e., the 1960's), the divisional data base was created by digitizing the divisional monthly values that were published in the CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA (CD) publication. The data base was updated routinely by the CD processing software. Unfortunately, this process generally did not include corrected or late station reports. The divisional values were calculated from the station data that were available at the time the CD went to press. The corrected and late station reports, which were published months later as CD errata sheets, were not always incorporated into the divisional values which went into the normals data base. Some divisional values were, consequently, based on incomplete data. The editions of the CLIM85 publication which were published prior to the mid-1980's contained normals that were based on these older divisional values. In the mid-1980's, the National Climatic Data Center began to routinely incorporate the errata sheet data (corrected and late station temperature and precipitation reports) into the divisional data base. The data in the old CD errata sheets (for the contiguous 48 states) were incorporated into the historical data base at that time. The revised (completed) divisional data base was used to recompute the normals and standard deviations for the previous periods (1931-60, 1941-70, and 1951-80) as well as compute the current normals values (1961-90) which are included in this data set and are published in the current CLIM85 edition. Asterisk Notation: The temperature and precipitation sequential values and normals and standard deviation values in this data set, which differ from those published in previous editions of the CLIM85, are identified by an asterisk (*) in the Comparison Indicator field of the first four files on the tape in this data set. In most cases, where there is a difference, the corresponding normals values differ from those published previously by only 0.1 degree Fahrenheit or 0.01 inch. The values from the previous (1931-80) edition which were used for the comparison are in a companion data set (TD-9641: MONTHLY DIVISIONAL NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS, FROM 1931-80, OF TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION). The values in the current (1931-90) data set are now recognized as the official divisional sequential values, normals, and standard deviations. Degree Days: All of the heating and cooling degree day monthly and annual sequential values and normals and standard deviation values for 1931-60, 1941-70, and 1951-80 for all divisions in this data set should differ from the corresponding values printed in earlier editions of the CLIM85 publication. This is due to a change in the standardizing period used by the Thom model to compute the derived sequential degree day values. The current standardizing period used in this data set was 1931-90. The previous CLIM85 edition used a standardizing period of 1931-80. It was necessary to recompute the sequential derived degree day values for the entire 1931-90 period using the 1931-90 standardizing period in order to maintain a homogeneous data set for the computation of the normals. If derived degree day values from different standardizing periods had been used to compute the normals, then the resulting mixed data set would have been inhomogeneous. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 19. DESCRIPTION: Data Derivation Algorithms Responsibility � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NCDC 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 20. DESCRIPTION: Project � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Decadal U.S. Climate Census, U.S. Climatography Program 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 21. DATA CENTER: Archiving Data Center � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 National Climatic Data Center NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 22. DATA CENTER: Originating Data Center � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NCDC 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 23. PERSONNEL: Archiver � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Chief, Data Base Management Branch NOAA/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 24. PERSONNEL: Technical Contact � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Chief, Climate Perspectives Branch NOAA/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 25. PERSONNEL: Investigator � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Chief, Climate Perspectives Branch NOAA/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 26. SENSOR: Sensor Name and Operating Principles � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NWS instrumentation. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 27. SENSOR: Sensor Siting � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The stations, from which the divisional values were computed, are NWS Cooperative and First Order stations. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 28. SENSOR: Sensor Accuracy and Calibration � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� NWS standard. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 29. SENSOR: Sensor Sampling Characteristics � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� NWS Standard. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 30. SENSOR: Data Capture Method at/near Sensor � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NWS observations. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 31. STATION: Station Location Accuracy � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Stations are located primarily to degrees and minutes. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 32. STATION: Station Observation Schedule � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Various observation times. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 33. STATION: Station Data Time Averaging � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NWS standard. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 34. STATION: Spatial Sampling Using Station Groupings � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Values for climate divisions were computed by averaging the values from the stations within the climate division. The divisions' sizes and dimensions vary from division to division. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 35. STATION: Network Participation � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The stations used to compute the divisional values are National Weather Service Offices and Cooperative Network Stations. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 36. STATION: Geographic Criteria for Selecting Stations � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Data computed from stations lying within geographic boundaries of each climate division. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 37. STATION: Geographical Distribution � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 See Topics 11 (Coverage), 12 (Location), 18 (Data Derivation Algorithms), and 34 (Spatial Sampling Using Station Groupings). 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 38. STATION: Elevation Distribution � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Station elevation may be as varied as the topography of the climate division. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 39. DATA QUALITY: Instrument Problems � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Station precipitation gages undercatch rain by about 4%. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 40. DATA QUALITY: Missing Data Periods � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Not applicable. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 41. DATA QUALITY: Sampling Biases � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� See Topic 39 (Instrument Problems). Also, some temperature biases may exist for some stations (e.g., urban heat island, instrument changes). 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 42. DATA QUALITY: Error Detection and Correction � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Station data QC'd at monthly scale. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 43. DATA QUALITY: Missing Value Estimates � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Not applicable. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 44. DATA QUALITY: Quality Control Responsibility � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NCDC 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 45. DATA QUALITY: Known Uncorrected Problems � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 See Topics 39 (Instrument Problems) and 41 (Sampling Biases). 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 46. DATA QUALITY: Confidence Factors � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 47. DATA QUALITY: History of Data Usage � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Used to calculate departures from normal, and other applications. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 48. DATA QUALITY: Quality Statement � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� High quality. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 49. DATES: Revision Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 January 1, 1993. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 50. DATES: Science Review Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 January 1, 1993. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 51. DATES: Future Review Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Not applicable. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 52. OTHER DATA SETS: Source Data Sets � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The divisional monthly sequential temperature and precipitation source data are part of the data set. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 53. OTHER DATA SETS: Essential Companion Data Sets � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Companion Data Set (Not Essential): Comparison data from the 1931-80 period are contained in the following data set: TD-9641: MONTHLY DIVISIONAL MEANS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS, FROM 1931-80, OF TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 54. OTHER DATA SETS: Derived Data Sets � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The two-volume publication, CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 85: DIVISIONAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS 1931-90 and CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 85: DIVISIONAL HEATING AND COOLING DEGREE DAY NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS 1931-90, was derived from this data set. The divisional sequential values and means, normals, and standard deviations are available on microfiche. The four-volume publication, HISTORICAL CLIMATOLOGY SERIES 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, and 5-2 was derived from this data set. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 55. OTHER DATA SETS: Larger Collections � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Not applicable. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 56. OTHER DATA SETS: Similar Data Sets � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Historical sequential divisional monthly temperature, precipitation, and Palmer drought indices (TD9640: TIME CORRECTED DIVISIONAL PDSI). Monthly and daily station normals for 1931-60, 1941-70, 1951-80, and 1961-90 (TD9641). 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 57. SUMMARIZATION: Reference � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The following references describe the computational procedures, computational algorithms, and data relevant to this data set: Golubev, V.S., P.Ya. Groisman, and R.G. Quayle, 1992: "An evaluation of the United States standard 8-in. nonrecording raingage at the Valdai Polygon, Russia," JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY, Vol. 9, pp. 624-629. Guttman, N.B., 1989: "Statistical descriptors of climate," BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 70, pp. 602-607. Karl, T.R., H.F. Diaz, and G. Kukla, 1988: "Urbanization: Its detection and effect in the United States climate record," JOURNAL OF CLIMATE, Vol. 1, pp. 1099-1123. Miller, I., J.E. Freund, and R.A. Johnson, 1990: PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR ENGINEERS, Fourth Edition. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 612 pp. Thom, H.C.S., 1954a: "The rational relationship between heating degree days and temperature," MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW, Vol. 82, pp. 1-6. Thom, H.C.S., 1954b: "Normal degree days below any base," MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW, Vol. 82, pp. 111-115. Thom, H.C.S., 1966: "Normal degree days above any base by the universal truncation coefficient," MONTHLY WEATHER REVIEW, Vol. 94, pp. 461-465. CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 85: DIVISIONAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS 1931-90. National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC. CLIMATOGRAPHY OF THE UNITED STATES NO. 85: DIVISIONAL HEATING AND COOLING DEGREE DAY NORMALS AND STANDARD DEVIATIONS 1931-90. National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SUMMARY C-23: "1961-90 Climatic Normals". National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 58. SUMMARIZATION: Summary � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The eight files in this data set contain the historical sequential data, official 30-year normals and standard deviations for 1931-60, 1941-70, 1951-80, and 1961-90), and 60-year means and standard deviations (for 1931-90) of monthly and annual mean temperature, total precipitation, and heating and cooling degree days for the climate divisions in the contiguous United States, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands (the Virgin Islands values are a three-island average). The sequential values from 1931-80 and normals and standard deviation values from 1931-60, 1941-70, and 1951-80 (temperature and precipitation) were compared to values for those periods which were previously published and any differences were noted. The sequential, normals, and standard deviation comparison values (temperature and precipitation) from the 1931-80 period are available in a companion data set.