Alaskan Historical Climatology Network (HCN) Serial Temperature and Precipitation Data/CDIAC, DB1004

The Alaskan Historical Climatology Network (HCN) database is a companion to the Historical Climatology Network (HCN) database for the contiguous United States (CDIAC NDP-019/R3). The Alaskan HCN contains monthly temperature (minimum, maximum, and mean) and total monthly precipitation data for 47 Alaskan stations. The data were derived from a variety of sources including the National Climatic Data Center (NOAA/NCDC) archives, the state climatologist for Alaska, and published literature. The period of record varies by station. The longest record is for the Sitka Magnetic Observatory (beginning in 1828), and most records extend through 1990. Unlike the HCN database (NDP-019/R3) for the continuous United States, adjustments have not been made to these climate records for time-of-observation differences, instrument changes, or station moves. Users of these data are urged to review information given in the station history file in order to identify stations with suitable records for their applications. The data are contained in three files: a data file containing all four climate variables: monthly minimum, maximum, and mean temperatures, and total monthly precipitation; a station history file; and, a station inventory file. ak_hcn.dat - Alaskan HCN Data File (1.64 Mb) ak_hcn.his - Alaskan HCN Station History File (148 kb) ak_hcn.sta - Alaskan HCN Station Inventory File (4.0 kb) The Alaskan HCN Data File consists of station and date information, temperature and precipitation data, monthly data flags (quality, location), and annual data values. The Alaskan HCN Station History File consists of station information (number, name, location), station flags (quality, instrument), and times of observations. The Alaskan HCN database was contributed to CDIAC by: T.R. Karl, R.G. Baldwin, M.G. Burgin, D.R. Easterling, R.W. Knight, and P.Y. Hughes of the NOAA/National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in Asheville, NC.