Climate Data Online - Daily Summaries
How much rain fell over the weekend? What was the temperatureover the last few weeks?Tables of daily weather observations can answer these common questions.
Where do these data come from?
Daily summaries of past weather by location come from the Global Historical Climatology Network daily (GHCNd) database and are accessed through the Climate Data Online (CDO) interface, both of which are managed and maintained by NOAA NCEI.
GHCNd includes daily observations from automated and human-facilitated weather stations across the United States and around the world. Observations can include weather variables such as maximum and minimum temperatures, total precipitation, snowfall, and depth of snow on ground. However, not all stations record all variables; about half the stations only report precipitation. Searching by zip code will yield no results if there is no weather station within that zip code, but you can easily expand your search to a city or county.
If you have further questions or comments about the GHCN data or the Climate Data Online interface, you can send an email to NOAA NCEI at ncei.orders@noaa.gov or call them at 1-828-271-4800.
What can I do with these data?
- Check records of past weather: explore how hot or cold it got through the week, how much rain or snow/sleet/hail fell, and how deep any snow was on the ground.
- Check what the weather was like on specific dates in history: did a snowstorm affect voter turnout on an election day? What was the weather on dates that are important to you?
-
How do I use the site?
NOTE: You may want to print these instructions so you can read them while you perform each step in another browser tab.
Go to the Climate Data Online Search page (opens in a new tab)
- Under Select Weather Observation Type/Dataset, selectDaily Summaries.
- Under Select Data Range, click the calendar icon and select dates on the Start and End calendars to reflect your dates of interest. Then click APPLY.
- Under the Search for dropdown, select ZIP codes
- Enter the ZIP codeof interest as the Search term, and then click Search.
Your search results show up in the left column with a map ofyour ZIP code on the right.
- Click the orange ADD TO CART button in the left column (these data are free).
- Place your cursor over the Cart button in the upper right. Click the orange VIEW ALL ITEMS button to go to the Select Cart Options page..
On the Select Cart Options page, continue with the default selections. Scroll to the bottom and click CONTINUE.
On the Review Order page, enter your email address (twice) and click SUBMIT ORDER. You can also find Help links on this page.
The REQUEST SUBMITTED page offers further information
The action will now move to your email inbox. First, you'll receive a notice that the request has been submitted. Usually, just a few minutes later, you'll receive an email stating that your order has been processed. The second email contains a link for you to download the data you requested, in a multi-page data table. Check all pages to see the full range of data.
-
Data Format(s)
TXT (ASCII), CSV, PDF
-
Documentation Type Link & Description General General Articles -
Data Type
Land-based station
Essential Climate Variables
See AlsoTropical Storm Debby is expected to send flooding to the Southeast. Here's how much rain could fallDebby no longer a tropical storm but still bringing abundant rain: Live updatesPerseid meteor shower 2024 peaks this weekend. Here's how to see summer's best 'shooting stars'Debby updates: Storm downgraded to tropical depression; all coastal warnings liftedAir temperature,
Science Organization
NOAA NCEI
Data Steward
Global Historical Climatology Network daily (GHCNd)
Email
ncei.orders@noaa.gov
Click to see more detail 
Related Content
NEWS & FEATURES
From giant hailstones to the most snow in a day, state extremes show us just how BIG the weather can get
01/24/2018
Flood disaster in Texas and Oklahoma
06/02/2015
Global warming increased risk, intensity of Louisiana's extreme rain event
09/07/2016
MAPS & DATA
Daily Temperature and Precipitation Reports - Data Tables
01/14/2015
SST - Global, Monthly Difference from Average
01/24/2017
SST - ENSO Region, Monthly Difference from Average
11/18/2016
TEACHING CLIMATE
CoCoRaHS — Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network: Citizen Scientists Track Precipitation
11/24/2015
02/26/2018
The SMAP/GLOBE Partnership: Citizen Scientists Measure Soil Moisture
11/24/2015
CLIMATE RESILIENCE TOOLKIT
Snowfall Climatology Toolbox
12/15/2022
Inland Flooding
05/15/2014
Energy Data Gallery
09/15/2017
