1961-90 MONTHLY NORMALS TD-9641 Prepared by Lewis France National Climatic Data Center Federal Building Asheville, North Carolina May 1992 This document was prepared by the U.S. Department of commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Environmental 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 availability 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. Data Center, Archiving 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 Review Date 51. Future Review Date OTHER DATA SETS 52. Input Sources 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 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 �1. Data Set ID � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 TD-9641 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 2. Data Set Name � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 CLIM81 1961-90 Normals 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 3. Description: Data Set Aliases � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Not Applicable 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 4. Description: Access Method and Sort for Archived Data � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The data are archived in four files of fixed length ASCII format. 撲컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳 1961-90 NORMALS NAME RECORD FORMAT� 읽컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 This file contains identification information about the stations for which 1961-90 monthly normals were calculated. ELEMENT WIDTH POSITION STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. NUMBER (CD NUMBER) 6 001-006 CODE* 1 007-007 CODE** 1 008-008 STATION NAME 24 009-032 LATITUDE 5 033-037 BLANK 3 038-040 LONGITUDE 6 041-046 BLANK 3 047-049 ELEVATION 5 050-054 BLANK 2 055-056 CURRENT OBSERVATION TIME 4 057-060 Data Codes: Blank = More than 35 months missing in the normal period (61-90) # = More than 20 years missing (1st Order Stations only 1 = Temperature only 2 = Precipitation only 3 = Snowfall only 4 = Temperature and Precipitation (No Snowfall) 5 = Precipitation and Snowfall (No Temperature) 6 = Temperature, Precipitation and Snowfall * A code in column 7 indicates that there were less than 35 months missing in the observed data. ** A code in column 8 indicates that there were less than 20 years missing in the observed data. 撲爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳� 1961-90 SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION � 낳� RECORD FORMAT � 읽懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 This file contains the sequential monthly mean maximum, minimum, and average temperature and total precipitation values used to calculate the 1961-90 monthly station normals. ELEMENT WIDTH POSITION STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. NUMBER (CD NUMBER) 6 001-006 DATA TYPE CODE * 1 007-007 YEAR 4 008-011 JANUARY DATA VALUE AND FLAG 컴� 7 012-018 FEBRUARY DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 019-025 MARCH DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 026-032 APRIL DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 033-039 MAY DATA VALUE AND FLAG � See 7 040-046 JUNE DATA VALUE AND FLAG 쳐� ** Note 7 047-053 JULY DATA VALUE AND FLAG � Below 7 054-060 AUGUST DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 061-067 SEPTEMBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 068-074 OCTOBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 075-081 NOVEMBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 082-088 DECEMBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG 켸 7 089-095 ANNUAL DATA VALUE AND FLAG 7 096-102 * DATA TYPE CODE WHERE: 1 = MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 2 = MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 3 = MEAN TEMPERATURE 4 = TOTAL PRECIPITATION ** DATA FIELD IS MADE UP OF VALUE (6 DIGITS) AND A FLAG BIT FLAGS: A = ACCUMULATED AMOUNT. VALUE IS A TOTAL THAT MAY INCLUDE DATA FROM PREVIOUS MONTH OR MONTHS C = ADJUSTED DATA. THE DATA VALUE IS BETWEEN 3.5 AND 5.0 STANDARD DEVIATION FROM THE MEAN OFFSET WITH RESPECT TO THE DATA FROM THE NEAREST NEIGHBORS. E = ESTIMATED VALUE. ANNUAL VALUE WILL ALSO BE AN ESTIMATED VALUE. I = MONTHLY DATA VALUE BASED ON INCOMPLETE TIME SERIES (1-9 DAYS MISSING). T = TRACE OF PRECIPITATION (AMOUNT LESS THAN 0.005 INCH AND IS SHOWN AS ZERO). X = INTERPOLATED VALUE USING NEAREST NEIGHBOR STATIONS UNITS: TEMPERATURE (DEGREES AND TENTHS F) PRECIPITATION (INCHES AND HUNDREDTHS). 撲菉컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶 1961-90 MONTHLY STATION NORMALS ALL ELEMENTS � 낳볶 RECORD FORMAT � 읽契컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� This file contains the 1961-90 monthly station normals statistics. ELEMENT WIDTH POSITION STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. NUMBER (CD NUMBER) 6 001-006 ELEMENT CODE * 1 007-007 DATA CODE ** 2 008-009 JANUARY DATA VALUE AND FLAG 컴컴� 7 010-016 FEBRUARY DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 017-023 MARCH DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 024-030 APRIL DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 031-037 MAY DATA VALUE AND FLAG � SEE 7 038-044 JUNE DATA VALUE AND FLAG 쳐 *** NOTE 7 045-051 JULY DATA VALUE AND FLAG � BELOW 7 052-058 AUGUST DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 059-065 SEPTEMBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 066-072 OCTOBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 073-079 NOVEMBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 080-086 DECEMBER DATA VALUE AND FLAG � 7 087-093 ANNUAL DATA VALUE AND FLAG 컴컴� 8 094-101 * ELEMENT CODE WHERE: 1 = MINIMUM TEMPERATURE 2 = MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE 3 = MEAN TEMPERATURE 4 = TOTAL PRECIPITATION 6 = HEATING DEGREE DAYS 7 = COOLING DEGREE DAYS ** DATA CODE WHERE: 03 = NUMBER OF ESTIMATED VALUES IN NORMAL PERIOD 04 = 61-90 NORMAL 05 = 61-90 STANDARD DEVIATION 06 = 61-90 MEDIAN 07 = 70-90 MEAN 08 = 70-90 STANDARD DEVIATION 09 = 70-90 MEDIAN 10 = 80-90 MEAN 11 = 80-90 STANDARD DEVIATION 12 = 80-90 MEDIAN 13 = MAXIMUM MONTHLY VALUE IN NORMAL PERIOD 14 = YEAR OF OCCURRENCE OF MAXIMUM VALUE 15 = MINIMUM MONTHLY VALUE IN NORMAL PERIOD 16 = YEAR OF OCCURRENCE OF MINIMUM VALUE 17 = PRECIPITATION 10 PERCENTILE (ELEMENT CODE 4 0NLY) 18 = PRECIPITATION 90 PERCENTILE (ELEMENT CODE 4 ONLY) 19 = ADJUSTMENT FACTOR FOR ADJUSTING MIN/MAX TEMPERA TURE TO MIDNIGHT OBSERVATION TIME (ELEMENT CODES 1 & 2 ONLY). NO ANNUAL VALUE FOR THIS DATA RECORD *** DATA FIELD IS MADE UP OF VALUE (6 DIGITS) AND A FLAG BIT, EXCEPT ANNUAL VALUE. FLAG "+" APPEARS IN MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM RECORDS ONLY AND INDICATES THAT YEAR IS LATEST YEAR OF OCCURRENCE BUT VALUE OCCURRED IN EARLIER YEAR DURING NORMAL PERIOD. TEMPERATURE UNITS = DEGREES AND TENTHS F. TEMPERATURE STANDARD DEVIATION UNITS = DEGREES AND THOUSANDTHS F. PRECIPITATION UNITS = INCHES AND HUNDREDTHS. PRECIPITATION STANDARD DEVIATION UNITS = INCHES AND TEN-THOUSANDTHS. 撲菉爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶� 1961-90 QUINTILE/PRECIPITATION PROBABILITIES � 낳볶� RECORD FORMAT � 읽契懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� (CONTAINS TWO FILES) There are 2 files. The first file contains the Gamma precipitation probabilities (to 15 probability levels). The second file contains the precipitation quintiles. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � FILE 1 GAMMA OUTPUT � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 NOTE: GAMMA DOES NOT COMPUTE IF THERE ARE LESS THAN 6 MEASURABLE EVENTS IN THE PERIOD FOR ANY MONTH THEREFORE EVERY STATION DOES NOT NECESSARILY HAVE A RECORD FOR EVERY MONTH ELEMENT WIDTH POSITION STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. NUMBER (CD NUMBER) 6 001-006 MONTH * 2 007-008 0.005 PROBABILITY VALUE 6 009-014 0.01 " " 6 015-020 0.05 " " 6 021-026 0.1 " " 6 027-032 0.2 " " 6 033-038 0.3 " " 6 039-044 0.4 " " 6 045-050 0.5 " " 6 051-056 0.6 " " 6 057-062 0.7 " " 6 063-068 0.8 " " 6 069-074 0.9 " " 6 075-080 0.95 " " 6 081-086 0.99 " " 6 087-094 0.995 " " 6 095-100 * MONTH CODES ARE 01-13. MONTH CODE 13 INDICATES AN ANNUAL VALUE. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 쿑ILE 2 QUINTILES � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 ELEMENT WIDTH POSITION STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. NUMBER (CD NUMBER) 6 001-006 CODE * 1 007-007 JANUARY DATA VALUE 컴커 6 008-013 FEBRUARY DATA VALUE � 6 014-019 MARCH DATA VALUE � 6 020-025 APRIL DATA VALUE � 6 026-031 MAY DATA VALUE � SEE 6 032-037 JUNE DATA VALUE 쳐� ** NOTE 6 038-043 JULY DATA VALUE � BELOW 6 044-049 AUGUST DATA VALUE � 6 050-055 SEPTEMBER DATA VALUE � 6 056-061 OCTOBER DATA VALUE � 6 062-067 NOVEMBER DATA VALUE � 6 068-073 DECEMBER DATA VALUE 컴� 6 074-079 BLANK 1 080-080 * CODE WHERE: 1 = 30-YEAR MINIMUM MONTHLY PRECIPITATION 2 = 20 % PROBABILITY VALUE 3 = 40 % PROBABILITY VALUE 4 = 60 % PROBABILITY VALUE 5 = 80 % PROBABILITY VALUE 6 = 30-YEAR MAXIMUM MONTHLY PRECIPITATION These values are used to construct the quintile tables that are published in the Climatography of the U.S. No. 84 pub- lication. Each quintile in the table is associated with a range of values. The first (0-20%) quintile consists of the range defined by the minimum (CODE=1) value to the 20% (CODE =2) value. The second (20-40%) quintile consists of the range defined by the 20% (CODE=2) value plus 0.01 inch to the 40% (CODE=3) value. The third (40-60%) quintile con- sists of the range defined by the 40% (CODE=3) value plus 0.01 inches to the 60% (CODE=4) value. The fourth (60-80%) quintile consists of the range defined by the 60% (CODE=4) value plus 0.01 inch to the 80% (CODE=5) value. The fifth (80-100%) quintile consists of the range defined by the 80% (CODE=5) value plus 0.01 inch to the maximum (CODE=6) value. ** DATA FIELD IS MADE UP OF VALUE (6 DIGITS) UNITS: TEMPERATURE (DEGREES AND TENTHS F) PRECIPITATION (INCHES AND HUNDREDTHS 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 5. Description: Access Method and Sort For Supplied Data � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� See topic 4 "Description: Access Method and Sort for Archived Data". 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 6. Description: Element Names and Definitions � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 撲컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳 1961-90 NORMALS NAME FILE � 읽컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. This 6 character station identifier (occasionally referred to as CD Number) is assigned by the National Climatic Data Center (POSITION 1-6). The first two digits refer to state code. (Value 01-91). The next four digits refer to Cooperative Network Index Number. DATA CODE A one digit code (Position 7) in this column indicates that there were less than 35 months missing in the observed data. DATA CODE A one digit code (Position 8) in this column indicates that there were less than 20 years missing in the observed data. STATION NAME An alpha, numeric or combination of both characters which indicate the station's name (Position 9-32). LATITUDE In degrees and minutes (Position 33-37). LONGITUDE In degrees and minutes (Position 41-46). ELEVATION In feet (Position 50-54). CURRENT OBSERVATION TIME Local Standard Time at current observation time. Refers to temperature stations only. (Position 57-60). 撲爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳� 1961-90 SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION FILE � 읽懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. This 6 character station identifier (occasionally referred to as CD NUMBER) is assigned by the National Climatic Data Center (Position 1-6). The first two digits refer to state code (Value 01-91). The next four digits refer to Coopera- tive Network Index Number. DATA TYPE CODE Refers to Minimum/Maximum/Mean Temperature or Precipitation (Position 7). Year This is the year of record (Position 8-11). MONTHLY DATA VALUE 12 MONTHLY VALUES and one ANNUAL VALUE. Each months value consists of 6 digits/positions (Temperature-degrees and tenths F or Precipitation-inches and hundredths) plus 1 digit/position for a Flag Code. Position 12-18 January, Position 19-25 February,...., Position 82-88 November, Position 89-95 December and Position 96-102 an annual Value of 6 digits/positions plus 1 digit/position for a flag code. 撲菉컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶 1961-90 MONTHLY STATION NORMALS ALL ELEMENTS FILE � 읽契컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. This 6 character station identifier (occasionally referred to as CD NUMBER) is assigned by the National Climatic Data Center (POSITION 1-6). the first two digits refer to state code. (Value 01-91). The next four digits refer to cooper- ative Network Index Number. ELEMENT CODE Refers to Minimum/Maximum/Mean Temperature, Total Precipita- tion, Heating Degree Days or Cooling Degree Days. DATA CODE This code indicates what statistical parameter is listed on the record. MONTHLY DATA VALUE 12 MONTHLY VALUES and one ANNUAL VALUE. Each months value consists of 6 digits/positions (Temperature-degrees and tenths F or Precipitation-inches and hundredths) plus 1 digit/position for a Flag Code. Position 10-16 January, Position 17-23 February,...., Position 80-86 November, Position 87-93 December and Position 94-101 ANNUAL VALUE and FLAG (7 digits/positions Annual value, 1 digit/position Flag Code). 撲菉爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳볶� 1961-90 QUINTILE/PRECIPITATION PROBABILITIES FILES � 읽契懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 GAMMA OUTPUT (First File) STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. This 6 character station identifier (occasionally referred to as CD NUMBER) is assigned by the National Climatic Data Center (Position 1-6). The first two digits refer to state code (Value 01-91). The next four digits refer to Coopera- tive Network Index Number. MONTH This is the month of the record. Range of values is 01-13 (Position 7-8). PROBABILITY VALUE These precipitation values are the precipitation amounts expected at each of 15 probability levels. (15 precipitation values- 6 digits/positions each- Positions 9-100). QUINTILES (Second File) STATION COOPERATIVE I.D. This 6 character station identifier (occasionally referred to as CD NUMBER) is assigned by the National Climatic Data Center (Position 1-6). The first two digits refer to state code (Value 01-91). The next four digits refer to Coopera- tive Network Index Number. PROBABILITY LEVELS CODE These code values indicate the 1961-90 period minimum/maximum value and 20, 40, 60, and 80 percentile values (Position 7). MONTHLY PRECIPITATION VALUE 12 monthly precipitation values. Each monthly value consist of 6 digits/positions. Position 8-13 January, Position 14-19 February,...., Position 68-73 November and Position 74-79 December. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 7. Description: Start Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 1961-01-01 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 8. Description: Stop Date � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 1990-12-31 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 9. Description: Parameter � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Monthly Minimum Temperature Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Annual Minimum Temperature Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Monthly Maximum Temperature Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Annual Maximum Temperature Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Monthly Mean Temperature Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Annual Mean Temperature Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Monthly Heating Degree Days Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Annual Heating Degree Days Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Monthly Cooling Degree Days Atmospheric Dynamics>Atmospheric Temperature>Annual Cooling Degree Days Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>Monthly Total Precipitation Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>Annual Total Precipitation Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.005 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.01 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.05 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.1 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.2 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.3 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.4 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.5 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.6 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.7 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.8 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.9 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.95 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.99 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>0.995 Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>30-Year Minimum Monthly Precipitation Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>20 % Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>40 % Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>60 % Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>80 % Probability Value Atmospheric Dynamics>Precipitation>30-Year Maximum Monthly Precipitation 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 10. Description: Discipline � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Earth Science>Atmospheric>Meteorology Earth Science>Atmospheric>Climatology 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 11. Description: Coverage � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Southernmost Latitude 15S Northernmost Latitude 72N Westernmost Longitude 67W Easternmost Longitude 121E 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 12. Description: Location � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� North America>USA Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean>USA Troposphere Polar>USA Mid-Latitude>USA Equatorial>USA 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 13. Description: Keyword � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Monthly Temperature Monthly Normals Sequential Temperature Sequential Precipitation Degree Days Adjusted Data Estimated Value Incomplete Time Series Interpolated Value Standard Deviation Median Mean Maximum Monthly Value Year of Occurrence Quintiles Minimum Monthly Value Precipitation Probabilities Climatological Normals Exposure Change Adjustment TD-9641 9641 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 14. Description: Storage Medium � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The data are archived in a fixed length ASCII format on four labeled cartridge tapes. Tape copies can also be acquired at 800, 1600 and 62550 BPI density. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 15. Description: File Mode � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� ASCII EBCDIC (at additional cost) 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 16. Description: How to Acquire the Data � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 These data are available for purchase from the National Climatic Data Center, Climate Services Branch, Federal Building, 37 Battery Park Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801-2733, phone number (704)-259-0682. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 17. Description: Historical and Current Data Sources � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Digital Files Cooperative Observation Stations Principal Observation Stations 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 18. Description: Data Derivation, Algorithms � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 See Methodology in item 58 "Summary". also see the following references: Karl, T.R., and C.N. Williams, Jr., 1987: An approach to adjust- ing Climatological time series for discontinuous inhomogeneities. J. Climate Appl. Meteor. 26, 1744-1763. Karl, T.R., C.N. Williams, Jr., P.J. Young, and W.M. Wendland, 1986: A model to estimate the time of observation bias associat- ed with monthly mean maximum, minimum and mean temperatures for the United States. J. Climate Appl. Meteor/. 25, 145-160. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 19. Description: Data Derivation, Algorithms, Responsibility� � for � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 20. Description: Project � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Decadal U.S. Climate Census Periodic Summarization of Climate (PERSUM) 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 21. Data Center: Data Center Archiving � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� National Climatic Data Center, NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 22. Data Center: Data Center Originating � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 National Climatic Data Center, NOAA/NESDIS/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 23. Personnel: Archiver � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Peter Steurer Chief, Data Base Management Branch Global Climate Laboratory NOAA/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 Phone: (704)-271-4445 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 24. Personnel: Technical Contact � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Thomas F. Ross National Climatic Data Center Attn: User Service Branch Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 Phone: (704)-271-4994 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 25. Personnel: Investigator � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 撲컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳 1961-90 NORMALS NAME FILE � 읽컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Anne Lazar NOAA/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville NC, 28801-2733 Phone: (704)-271-4380 撲爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳� 1961-90 SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION � 낳� FILE � 읽懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 撲菉컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶 1961-90 MONTHLY STATION NORMALS ALL ELEMENTS FILE � 읽契컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 撲菉爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶� 1961-90 QUINTILE/PRECIPITATION PROBABILITIES FILE � 읽契懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Richard Heim NOAA/NCDC Federal Building 37 Battery Park Avenue Asheville, NC 28801-2733 Phone: (704)-271-4251 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 26. Sensors: Sensor Name and Operating Principles � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Minimum Temperature; Maximum Temperature In the beginning years of this data set, liquid-in-glass thermom- eters were used to measure these elements. This thermometer is a liquid-filled, U-shaped capillary tube with reservoirs at each end, with two floating indicators to mark the highest and lowest temperature that occurred between resetting times. Resetting is supposed to be done every 24 hours at the same clock time. For approximately 300 stations in this data set, temperature values were observed hourly from hygrothermometers. Prior to the universal installation of hygrothermometers in the 1960's, hourly temperatures were observed with psychrometers and thermographs. Precipitation The instrument generally in use for this data set was the 8 inch Standard Rain Gauge. Daily precipitation was measured visually to the nearest .01 inch. Occasionally stations used non-stan- dard gauges (4 inch/plastic). For approximately 300 stations in this data set (first order stations) precipitation was observed hourly from one of two types of recording rain gauges: Weighing Rain Gauge Weighing rain gauges are used in the USA east of the Missis- sippi River. The gauge records the weight of a rain-collect ing bucket via a spring mechanism, connected to a pen, that records on a paper chart. Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge Tipping bucket rain gauges are used in the USA west of the Mississippi River. The gauge records the number of times in a 5-minute period that a small collecting bucket that holds one mm of water is filled, tips over, and empties. The recorded number of tips is telemetered to a collection site. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 27. Sensors: Sensor Siting � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 28. Sensors: Sensor Accuracy and Calibration� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 29. Sensors: Sensor Sampling Characteristics� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 30. Sensors: Data Capture Method at/near Sensor� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 31. Stations: Station Location Accuracy� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Location accuracy is to the nearest minute of Latitude/Longitude. Elevation accuracy varies from the nearest foot to nearest Topographic Map Contour interval. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 32. Stations: Station Observation Schedule� 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 撲爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳� 1961-90 SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION FILE � 읽懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 撲菉컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶 1961-90 MONTHLY STATION NORMALS ALL ELEMENTS FILE � 읽契컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The observation schedule varied with station. Some stations (Cooperative Stations) made once-daily readings of daily (24- hour) maximum and minimum temperature and total precipitation in the morning, some in the afternoon, some in the evening, and some at midnight. Other stations (First Order Stations) had more frequent (hourly) observation schedules but reported daily (24- hour) maximum and minimum temperature and total precipitation for a midnight-to-midnight (calendar) day. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 33. Stations: Station Data Time Averaging � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 撲爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳� 1961-90 SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION FILE � 읽懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The data value in this data set are sequential year-month values of monthly mean maximum temperature, monthly mean minimum temper- ature, monthly mean temperature, and monthly total precipitation 撲菉컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� 낳볶 1961-90 MONTHLY STATION NORMALS ALL ELEMENTS FILE � 읽契컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The data values in this data set are 30-year averages of monthly mean maximum temperature, monthly mean minimum temperature, monthly mean temperature, and monthly total precipitation. 撲菉爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳볶� 1961-90 QUINTILE/PRECIPITATION PROBABILITIES FILE � 읽契懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The data values in this data set are monthly quantities of precipitation that meet certain expectation levels based on a Gamma distribution fit of the historical sequential monthly data. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 34. Stations: Spatial Sampling Using Station Groupings � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Not Applicable 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 35. Stations: Network Participation � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� The TD-3200 data base is used for this data set, which is com- prised of U.S. stations primarily staffed by "cooperative" observers. The vast majority of these observers are volunteers (non-paid, private individuals) for the National Weather Service (NWS). The cooperative stations are augmented by principal climatological stations operated by the NWS. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 36. Stations: Geographic Criteria for Selecting Stations � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 37. Stations: Geographical Distribution � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 There were 6662 precipitation stations of which 4775 also record- ed temperature. The geographic distribution varied, being least dense in the western U.S., mountainous, and desert areas. Station density over the island (U.S. possessions) locations varied considerably. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 38. Stations: Elevation Statement � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Most of the stations had elevations below 1000 meters above sea level. The minimum elevation is -30 meters and the maximum is 3000 meters. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 39. Data Quality: Instrument Problems � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 40. Data Quality: Missing Data Periods � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Microfiche inventories of the TD-9641 data set are available which indicate missing data periods by station for most elements. 撲爐컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 낳� 1961-90 SEQUENTIAL TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION FILE � 읽懃컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Missing data were estimated from neighboring stations. The estimated data value are identified by an 'X'. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 41. Data Quality: Sampling Biases � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 42. Data Quality: Error Detection and Correction � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The data were examined for exposure changes (i.e., changes in location, instruments, observation practices, etc.). For more information see methodology under item 58 "Summary". 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 43. Data Quality: Missing Value Estimates � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Missing data were estimated from neighboring stations. For more information see Methodology (estimation methodology) under item 58 "Summary". 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 44. Data Quality: Quality Control Responsibility � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 The monthly data that were input to the examination and adjust- ment algorithms had undergone range, climatology, and allowed value checks at the NCDC's Data Operations Branch. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 45. Data Quality: Known Uncorrected Problems � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 None 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 46. Data Quality: Confidence Factors � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 No information available at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 47. Data Quality: History of Data Usage � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� No information available due to being a new data set. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 48. Data Quality: Quality Statement � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 This data set has undergone extensive quality checks including range checks, estimation of missing data, evaluation of homogene- ity, and adjustments of inhomogeneities. It must be understood that at the onset of punched card process- ing of climatological observations the primary goal was the publication of the monthly climatological summaries. The conver- sion from manual to automated systems meant that more work could be done faster with fewer people and at less cost. Even though the punched cards were retained, it was never envisioned that 20 to 30 years from then a great number of users would be seeking large data files for retrospective studies using high speed computers. Benign neglect, state of the art processing (CIRCA 1952), and limited money/people resources all contributed toward less than optimum conditions in maintaining integrity of the digital files. Many of these shortcomings are now recognized and efforts are underway to upgrade the principal data sets. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 49. Dates: Revision � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� March 24, 1992 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 50. Dates: Science Review � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� March 24, 1992 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 51. Dates: Future Review � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Not applicable at this time. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 52. Other Data Sets: Input Sources to this Data Set � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� This data set used monthly data from the TD-3220 data set as input. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 53. Other Data Sets: Essential Companion Data Sets � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Not applicable 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 54. Other Data Sets: Derived from this data set � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� Daily Normals Departure From Normal Divisional Normals Historical Climatology Network-Monthly 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 55. Other Data Sets: Larger Collections � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 WMO Climatological Normals (CLINO) 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 56. Other Data Sets: Similar Data Sets � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Not applicable 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴커 � 57. Reference � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴켸 Thom, H.C.S., 1954a: The rational relationship between heating degree days and temperature. Mon. Wea. Rev., 82, 1-6. Thom, H.C.S., 1954b: Normal degree days below any base. Mon. Wea. Rev., 82, 111-115. Thom, H.C.S.,1966: Normal degree days above any base by the Universal truncation coefficient. Mon. Wea. Rev., 94, 461-465. Guttman, N.B., 1989: Statistical descriptors of climate. Bull. Amer. Met. Soc. 70, 602-607. Karl, T.R., and C.N. Williams, Jr., 1987: An approach to adjust- ing climatological time series for discontinuous inhomogeneities. J. Climate Appl. Meteor. 26, 1744-1763. Conrad, V., and L.W. Pollak, 1950: Methods in Climatology. Harvard University Press, 459 pp. Karl, T.R., C.N. Williams, Jr., P.J. Young, and W.M. Wendland, 1986: A model to estimate the time of observation bias associat- ed with monthly mean maximum, minimum and mean temperatures for the United States. J. Climate Appl. Meteor., 25, 145-160. 旼컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� � 58. Summary � 읕컴컴컴컴컴컴컴컴� When historical climate data are accumulated and examined, they generally follow a certain pattern called a statistical distribu- tion. For example, if 30 years of June temperature data were assembled and examined, the data would have a pattern that consisted of most of the Junes having temperatures close to the normal or average value, a few Junes having very warm temper- atures, and a few Junes having very cold temperatures. This kind of statistical pattern is called a "Gaussian" distribution. Temperature data typically follow a Gaussian distribution, but precipitation frequently does not. This is because precipitation is zero bounded. When historical precipitation data are exam- ined, most of the values will be close to the middle of the distribution, and some values will be considerably higher than the middle range. But on the low end of the scale, the smallest values will never be less than zero, since there can't be a negative precipitation. In particularly dry (e.g., desert) regions, the pattern can be drastically skewed to the left-hand side of the scale, with most of the values being near zero and a few very wet values spread far to the right. This kind of pattern is called a "Gamma" distribution. Once the statistical distribution is identified, the statistical properties of the distribution can be used to estimate the probabilities that certain values will occur, and which values can be expected at certain probability levels. The probability levels desired can be preselected at certain individual levels or at regular inter- vals. The 0-20%, 20-40%, 40-60%, 60-80%, and 80-100% intervals are called the quintile levels. In this data set, the Gamma distribution was used to estimate the precipitation values at 15 probability levels (0.005, 0.01, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, 0.40, 0.50, 0.60, 0.70, 0.80, 0.90, 0.95, 0.99, and 0.995). The expected precipitation values at the quintile levels are also included. The climatological normals presented in this publication are based on monthly mean maximum and minimum temperature and monthly total precipitation records for each year in the 30-year period 1961-90, inclusive. Data are assembled by individual states. Most stations were operating as of December 1990. Some stations were closed prior to 1990, but were identified as "normals stations" for special applications. Most of the closed stations ceased operations in 1989 or 1990. Several adjustments were made to the data before the normals were calculated. These adjustments include estimating missing data, adjusting for time of observation bias, and adjusting for expo- sure changes. Data are presented in the order shown in the title. Units used in this publication are degrees F for temperature and inches for precipitation. Heating and cooling degree day (bias 65 degrees F) normals are derived from the monthly normal temperatures using the technique developed by Thom (1954a, 1954b, 1966). Degree day normals have also been computed to other bases and may be ob- tained from the National Climatic Data Center, Federal Building, 37 Battery Park Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801-2733, or by calling (704)-271-4682. NORMALS FOR FIRST ORDER AND COOPERATIVE STATIONS TEMPERATURE AND PRECIPITATION NORMALS First order (Principal Climatological) Stations: First order Stations record hourly observations and are usually staffed by professional observers. They can be identified as having WSO, WSFO, WSMO, WSCMO, or FAA in their name. For all First order stations, any missing data for the 1961-90 period were estimated from the monthly values of neighboring stations. Time of obser- vation adjustments were made, as necessary, to the data from the neighboring stations before these data were used to estimate the missing first order station data (Karl, et al., 1986). Exposure change adjustments (Karl and Williams, 1987) were made to First order stations in the lower 48 States, but not to the stations in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. possessions because of the lack of a sufficient number of neighboring stations. The neighboring stations used in the adjustment procedure included stations from the Cooperative Station Network. Cooperative Stations: Cooperative Stations usually record daily data only and are usually manned by volunteer observers. For all Cooperative Stations, any missing data for the 1961-90 period were estimated from the monthly values of neighboring First Order and Cooperative stations. Time of observation adjustments were made to those stations in the Lower 48 States that required the adjustment. No adjustment s were made to stations in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. possessions because of the lack of a sufficient number of neighboring stations. No exposure change adjustments were made to the station history information, but also because a Cooperative Station's identity changes (according to National Weather Service standards) when significant moves occur (general- ly at least 5 miles or 100 feet in elevation, subject to the judgement of the National Weather Service Cooperative Program Manager). Methodology: Normals have been defined as the arithmetic mean of a climatological element computed over a long time period. International agreements eventually led to the decision that the appropriate time period would be three consecutive decades (Guttman, 1989). The data record should be consistent (have no changes in location, instruments, observation practices, etc.; these are identified here as "exposure changes") and have no missing values so a normal will reflect the actual average climatic conditions. If any significant exposure changes have occurred, the data record is said to be "inhomogeneous" and the normal may not reflect a true climatic average. Such data need to be adjusted to remove the nonclimatic inhomogeneities. The resulting (adjusted) record is then said to be "homogeneous". If no exposure changes have occurred at a station, the normal is calculated simply by averaging the appropriate 30 values from the 1961-90 record. Since it is nearly impossible to maintain a multiple purpose network of meteorological stations without having some exposure changes, it is first necessary to identify and evaluate these changes and then make adjustments for them if necessary. The method used to estimate missing data and adjust for inhomoge- neities is based on the Historical Climatology Network (HCN) methodology outlined by Karl and Williams (1987). This technique involves comparing the record of the station for which the normals are being calculated (the candidate station) to the records of neighboring stations. This comparison is based on the following definition of relative homogeneity provided by Conrad and Pollak (1950): "A climatological series is relatively homogeneous with respect to a synchronous series at another place if the temperature differences (precipitation ratios) of pairs of homologous averages constitute a series of random numbers that satisfies the law of errors." A neighboring station was not used if tits record did not cover the same time period as the candi- date station (i.e., was not synchronous or homologous). The underlying assumption behind such a definition is that variations in average weather have similar tendencies over a region. For example, cold winters at a candid station usually occur simulta- neously at its neighboring stations. If this assumption is violated, then there will be a systematic difference between the stations which will show up as temperature differences (or precipitation ratios) that do not follow the expected statistical pattern (law of errors). Acceptance of the definition of rela- tive homogeneity allows the use of certain well defined statisti- cal techniques to make the adjustments. Inhomogeneities in the candidate station's record were determined by examining the location, instrument, and observation history of the station. After the period of inhomogeneity were determined, adjustments were applied to remove the biases. The adjustments were deter- mined using the following criteria. Neighboring stations were found which had homogeneous data records that covered the time period of the candidate station's inhomogeneous period. If the candidate station and a neighbor had a reasonably high correla- tion (r2>0.6) of monthly anomalies for the period in question, then the established homogeneous neighboring station was used to assess the impact of the candidate station's discontinuity. The part of the data record before the discontinuity was statistical- ly compared to the part after the discontinuity. The Student's t-test was used for the temperature differences, while the nonparametric Wilcox on rank-sum test was used for the precipita- tion ratios. If the statistical test indicated that the two parts of the candidate station's record were significantly different, then the earlier part of the record was adjusted (further details, with examples, can be found in Karl and Willia- ms, 1987). After all exposure changes at the candidate station were corrected, the normal was estimated by averaging the appro- priate 30 values from the 1962-90 adjusted record. If none of the neighboring stations had a sufficiently high correlation, then no adjustment was made. The climatological elements (maxi- mum temperature, minimum temperature, and precipitation) were adjusted separately. The adjustment method for temperature works best if all of the stations involved have the same observational schedule. This is generally true for First Order Stations which use the calendar day (midnight) observation time. Unfortunately, some cooperative stations have an observation time in the morning, some in the afternoon, some in the evening, and some at midnight, and this introduces a nonclimatic bias into the record. For an explana- tion of this bias, see Karl et al. (1986). To make the data reflect a consistent observational schedule, the adjustment technique developed by Karl et al. (1986) was used to convert the maximum and minimum temperature data for all stations to a mid- night schedule, thus removing the time of observation bias. In summary, the normals methodology employed for this publication involved (1) adjusting all station data to a midnight-to-midnight observation schedule; (2) estimating missing data; (3) using the HCN method outlined above to adjust First Order Stations with inhomogeneous records; (4) calculating the average monthly values; then (5) converting the temperature averages to the station's official normal, which is valid for the current (as of 1990) observation time. Due to the adjustment techniques employ- ed, the normals published in this volume will not necessarily agree with values calculated by simply averaging the monthly observed values from 1961-90. It should be emphasized that the official normal temperature values printed herein are for the current (as of 1990) observa- tion time. The station's observation time and the adjustment necessary to convert the temperature values to a midnight-to- midnight observation are also shown in the tables. The adjust- ment factors should be added to the official normals to approxim- ate a "midnight observation time average". This helps a user determine if temperature differences between nearby stations are true climate differences or if they may be caused by different observing schedules. The precipitation data were not adjusted for observation time. The monthly normals for maximum and minimum temperature were computed as described above. The monthly average temperature normals were computed by averaging the corresponding maximum and minimum normals. The annual temperature normals were calculated by taking the average of the 12 monthly normals. The annual precipitation normals were calculated by adding the 12 monthly normals. Degree Day Normals Simple arithmetic procedures were not applied to obtain the heating and cooling degree day normals. Instead, the rational conversion formulae developed by Thom (1954a, 1954b, 1966) were used. These formulae allow the adjusted mean temperature normals and their standard deviation to be converted to degree day normals with uniform consistency. In some cases this procedure will yield a small number of degree days for months when degree days may not otherwise be expected. This results from statisti- cal considerations of the formulae. The annual degree day normals were calculated by adding the corresponding monthly degree day normals. Supplementary Data Individual station values (by-month) of average (maximum, mini- mum, and mean) temperature and total precipitation used to calculate the normals for the 1961-90 period are available from the National Climatic Data Center, Asheville, NC, and may be obtained in either microfiche or digital media (TD-9641). In addition, extremes of monthly total precipitation and mean temperature are included, along with the standard deviations of the monthly temperatures. The median (i.e., 50th percentile), 11-year and 21-year means are also provided for both temperature and precipitation. Precipitation normals less than .005 inch are shown as zero. Precipitation includes rainfall and the liquid water equivalent of frozen precipitation (snow, sleet, hail). Temperature normals are provided for mean monthly maximum temper- ature (NORMAL MAX), mean monthly minimum temperature (NORMAL MIN), and mean monthly average temperature (NORMAL). The median (50th percentile) monthly average temperature is shown as MEDIAN. The median is the middlemost value in an ordered series of values. Half of the values are greater than the median and half are less than the median. Monthly normals for February are based on a 28-day month. Figures and letters following the station name generally indicate a rural location and refer to the distance and direction of the station from the neatest Post Office. WSO, WSMO, and WSFO denote a National Weather Serviced office, meteorological observatory, and forecast office, respectively. FAA implies a Federal Avia- tion Administration station with an observing capability coordi- nated by the National Weather Service. Station elevations are in feet above mean sea level. The most current observation time (as of December 1990) for temperature is shown on the temperature tables under the station name. LT refers to Local Time (Standard of Daylight, as applicable). Stations located on islands (U.S. possessions) generally have short records (i.e., less than 30 years) and do not meet the criteria for computation of normals. Short-term or period averages are given for these stations (as shown). Maps show the locations of stations for which 1961-90 normals have been prepared. A station listing provides additional details regarding each station's data. On the station listing pages, column "Code 1" refers to data with less than 35 months missing from 1961-90. Column "Code 2" refers to data that can have up to 20 years missing from 1961-90. The numbers (1-7) in these columns indicate the climatological elements observed and are defined in the Data Code Legend at the bottom of the page. For example, if a station had 12 months of temperature, precipita- tion, and snowfall data missing, a 6 would appear under column "Code 1" because 12 months is less than 35 months, and a 6 would appear under column "Code 2" because 12 months is less than 20 years. If the station had 58 months of data missing, then column "Code 1" would have a blank because 58 months is greater than 35 months, and column "Code 2" would have a 6 because 58 months is less than 20 years. Snowfall normals are not a part of this publication series, but information on the availability of snowfall data is included for user reference. MAX is maximum, MIN is minimum, MID OBS TIME ADJ is the adjust- ment factor to convert a normal to midnight observation time, ANN is annual, SEQ NO is sequence number and is used to locate the station on the map. STATION NO. is the Cooperative station number.