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Daily Temperature and Precipitation Reports - Data Tables

Daily Summary Observations

Daily summaries answer questions such as

  • What were the high and low temperatures at a station on a specific day?
  • How much did it rain last Wednesday?
  • How much snow was on the ground on a recent date? 

Where do these data come from?

Daily weather records come from automated and human-facilitated observation stations in the Global Historical Climatology Network-Daily database. Data from each station are reviewed regularly for quality and consistency: the data have been checked for obvious inaccuracies, but they have not been adjusted to account for the influences of historical changes in instrumentation or observing practices.

What can I do with these data?

  • Find daily records of high and low temperature and precipitation for most localities in the United States.
  • Display different variables to look for patterns and compare them among different dates.
  • Answer questions such as:
    • Where did it rain or snow on a specific date?
    • How does temperature change with latitude?
    • How much snow was on the ground at a station on a specific date?

  • How do I use the site?

    1) Start at https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/maps/daily-summaries/

    2) In the first window, click Daily Summary Observations

    3) Set the DATE and TYPE of data you want.

    • In the Layers tab of the sidebar, use the pull-down menus to select your options:
    • Set the calendar to the desired Date  (data from today become available in two business days)
    • Select the desired Observation (temperature, precipitation, snowfall, snow depth)
    • Select the Units (Fahrenheit or Celsius)
    • Select Options, if desired and available (not available for all data)
    • Click Update Map

    4) Choose WHERE you want it for.

    • Enter a placename or zip code in the SEARCH FOR A LOCATION field. This will zoom the map to your region of interest.

    • DO NOT try to click the blinking red dot. It is NOT a station with data; it is only the center of the location your searched for.
    • Click the wrench icon to access tools that will let you select your station(s) of interest.
      • use the identity tool to select a single station at a time
      • use the Rectangle tool to select a group of stations
        • Stations you selected show up in the Results tab.

    5) Preview and/or Download the data

    screen capture of interface preview and download options
    • Click the Graph icon to preview a graph of the data. (Note: Preview graphs show data in tenths of degrees Celsius.
    • Click the View/Download icon to download a PDF document of the data.

    6) If you want to download a station's data in another format:

    • Check the box to the left of its name, and then click the Add to Cart button

    • Complete the fields in the Cart window (non-certified data are free), then Continue
    • Enter your email address.
    • You'll receive a email confirming your order right away. Then, you'll receive another email with a link to download your data, usually within the hour.
  • Data Format(s)
    TXT (ASCII), Other
    Access Type Link & Description
    Subsetting
    GHCN Daily Observations
    Map viewer and site selection
  • Documentation Type Link & Description
    General
    GHCND Documentation
    Download a PDF that describes the data.
  • Data Type
    Land-based station
    Essential Climate Variables
    Air temperature,

    Resolution

    Horizontal resolution(s)
    • Point Resolution
    Temporal resolution(s)
    • Daily+
    Science Organization
    NOAA NCDC
    Email
    ncdc.orders@noaa.gov

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