Climatology

• Finding Weather Information
  
• General Climatology Information
  
• Climatological Data
  
• Weather Offices
  
• Topics in Meteorology and Climatology
  
• Specific Natural Disasters and Weather Events
  
• Bibliographies

The best way to learn how to find weather information is by example: please see below.
Remember to always look at web based resources first, then print and then CD-ROM.

What was the weather like in Houston in 1956?

Step 1:   Select "Climatological Data"
Step 2:   Select the Geographic Area of Interest. i.e. "United States"
Step 3:   Find a resource which covers the time period of interest ie. "Climatological Data" or look at
              "National Weather Service Homepages" for archival data.

What was the average amount of rainfall in Spain during the past 5 years?

Step 1:   Select "Climatological Data"
Step 2:   Select the Geographic Area of Interest.
               First look broadly and then narrow it down. ie. "Worldwide"
Step 3:   Find a resource which covers the time period of interest ie. "Weatherbase"

Glossary - United States Interactive Climate Pages

Acronyms - World Climate Research Programme

Most popular conversion & decoder charts - National Climatic Data Center

Beaufort Wind Scale - Disaster Center

Fujita Scale - USA Today

World Wide | United States | Canada | Europe | Japan | Other

WORLD WIDE

World Weather Records - Washington, Smithsonian Institute, 1927-
Worldwide | In library | 1750-1990 | English | Monthly | In Print
~ 1790-1920 located in the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - Q11.S7
~ 1941-1990 located in the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 982.W95

Global Historical Fields - Naval Meteorology & Oceanographic Command, Washington, DC? : s.n., 1994.
Worldwide | In library | 1899-1994 | English |Frequency: Varies | CD-ROM
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 885 G662 (CD-ROM)  

Historical Weather Database - Washington Post
Worldwide | Free Access | 1961-1990 | English | Monthly | Web
~ All information is based on "averages" from a specific time frame i.e. 1961-1990.
~ Information can be searched by city, state or country.
~ State or country search will produce a sub-list.
~ You must click onto the city of your choice in order to access the historical information.

Global Daily Summary: temperatures & precipitation 1977-1991 - National Climatic Data Center, [1994]
Worldwide | In library | 1977-1991 | English | Daily| CD-ROM
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 983 G662 (CD-ROM)
~ "24 hour maximums & minimums for global temperatures & precipitation".
~ "Lists precipitation by precipitation type with 24 hours totals".
~ Note: Instructions for use are provided on back of the CD holder.
~ All data & information files are in ASCII format. CR-LF indicates the end of record.

International surface weather observations, 1982-1997
US Dept. of Commerce, NCAA, NCDC, US Dept of Air Force, Asheville, NC : The Center, [1998]
Worldwide | In library | 1982-1997 | English | Hourly| CD-ROM
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 981 I58 (CD-ROM)
~ Covers approximately 1500 international stations.
~ 5 computer laser optical discs ; 4 3/4 in. + 1 container insert user's guide.

Monthly climatic data for the world - United States, Weather Bureau, Washington
Worldwide | Free Access | 1998+ | English | Monthly | Web
~ Includes: mean temperature, pressure, precipitation, vapor pressure & sunshine for 2,000 locations.
~ Includes: mean upper air temps, dew point depressions, & wind velocities for 500 locations.
~ 1948-1997 available in print: John Crerar Library - QC 982.U627

Long-range Forecast - Old Farmer's Almanac
Worldwide | 1 month forecast is free| Upcoming Month | English | Monthly | Web
~ Upcoming monthly or 5-day forecasts for 800 cities in the US & Worldwide. (Free access).
~ 12 month forecasts can be purchased in stores or online.

Weatherbase - Canty & Associates LLC
Worldwide | Free Access | Dates Vary |Data in Averages | English | Monthly | Web
~ Provides weather information for 16,434 cities worldwide.
~ Average, highest & lowest temperatures & average precipitation are provided for most cities.
~ Other information, such as humidity, snow cover, fog & cloud cover is provided for some cities.
~ Users can choose to view the data in fahrenheit or celsius.

National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) ~ Free to University of Chicago Faculty, Staff and Students. Ignore payment statements. ~ Stations are represented by CODES. Chicago O'Hare=ORD. Look at the codes before searching. ~ Directories of files will look like: cdann72 (ann=annual) and cddec72 (dec=december). ~ The dates covered vary. ~ All data is in PDF. ~ To access data you must select: "FREE access by certain agencies and individuals". Climatological Data: Daily, monthly and annual averages nationwide. Local Climatological Data: Data at 3 hour intervals for over 100 US cities. Hourly Precipitation Data: Dates varies. Storm Data: Storm paths, deaths, injuries & property damage.1994+. Heating and Cooling Degree Day Data: historical & current heating & cooling fuel demand information on a state-wide basis. 1931+ Climate Maps of U.S. Climates of the World: Average temperature and precipitation data for over 800 stations. Wind Climatology: Selected U.S. Cities. Freeze/Frost data for the U.S.

Cooperative summary of the day
US Dept. of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Climatic Data Center.
USA, Caribbean & Pacific territories, Puerto Rico| In library | 1850s-1997| English | Daily | CD-ROM
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 983 C67 (CD-ROM)
~ Daily observations from US, its Caribbean & Pacific Island territories & Puerto Rico.
~ From 1850s - 1997; beginning date of "period of record" may vary within datasets.
~ 21+ discs. Each disc covering a particular state, group of states, or territories.
~ Files written in DOS ASCII format.
~ "Read Me" file is provided.

Bulletin of International Meteorology - United States. Army. Signal Corps. Washington, D.C., 1875-
USA | In library | 1884+ | English | In Print
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 982 U5

Climatological Data - Washington, Environmental Data Service
USA | In library | 1914-1984| English | Daily & Monthly| In Print
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 983 A42
~ Issued each month in separate sections for individual or groups of states.
~ The monthly issue contains station daily maximum & minimum temps & precipitation.
~ Some stations provide monthly & daily snowfall, snow depths, evaporation, & soil temp data.
~ Also monthly summary of heating & cooling degree days is provided as well as a seasonal recap.
~ The annual issues contain monthly & annual average temperatures, total precipitation, temperature extremes, freeze data, soil temperatures, evaporation, & a recap of monthly total cooling degree days.

Storm Data - United States. Weather Bureau. Environmental Data Service
USA | In library | 1914-2000+| English | Daily & Monthly| In Print & Web
~ 1959-1997 available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 941.U5 (in print)
~ 1986-1993 available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 941.U5 (microfilm)
~ 1995-2000 available on the Internet at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/pdfs/sd/sd.html

Hourly United States weather observations 1990-1995
[Washington, DC] : NOAA/National Climatic Data Center ; Raleigh, NC : US Environmental Protection Agency, [1997]
USA | In library | 1990-1995| English | Hourly| CD-ROM
~ Available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 875 U7 H687 (CD-ROM)
~ Covers major weather stations in the USA.
~ Viewing software included.
~ 1 computer laser optical disc ; 4 3/4 in. + user guide (3 p. ; 12 cm.).

National Weather Service Homepages
USA| Dates Vary| English | On Web
~ Current Conditions for locations across the United States.

Canadian Meteorological Centre, Climate & Water Information
Canada | Free Access + For Fee | 1839 +| English & French | Hourly| Format: Varies
~ Various databases are provided.
~ 1961-1990 Canadian Climate Norms
~ Precipitation & Temperatures
~ Climate Summaries
~ National Envirodat Data Archive
~ National Climate Data Archive: 1839 +. Hourly readings include humidity; wind speed & direction; atmospheric pressure; cloud types, amounts, & heights; & occurrence of rain, snow, thunderstorms, & other types of weather have been observed mainly at airports. To purchase climate information see: Environment Canada Climate Products & Services.
~ National Water Data Archive: 1908+. Contains two databases: HYDEX - a relational database that contains inventory information on the various streamflow, water level, & sediment stations (both active & discontinued) in Canada. HYDEX - daily & monthly means of flow, water levels & sediment concentrations (for sediment sites).

Monthly Meteorological Summary - Canada. Meteorological Branch, Toronto
Toronto | In Library| 1945-1990| English & French | Monthly with Annual Supplement | In Print
~ 1945-1971 available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC985.5.O6A2.
~ 1972-1990 available at the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC985.5.O6A3.

Environment Canada Library - Environment Canada
Canada & Worldwide| In Library| Time Frame: Varies| English & French | Dates: Varies | Format: Varies
~ Meteorology, climate research, air quality, severe weather, & environmental emergencies.
~ The collection contains books & journal collections as well as microfiche.
~ Great Lakes water quality, pollution, hazardous contaminants & conservation of natural resources.
~ A collection of videos & films are also housed in the library.
~ The web site provides access to the Environment Canada Library Catalogue.
~ Interlibrary loan information provided.

Historical Central England Temperature Data - United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO)
United Kingdom| Free - login required | Monthly 1659+, Daily 1772+| English | Monthly & Daily | Web
~ Covers triangular area of the United Kingdom enclosed by Preston, London & Bristol.
~ The monthly series is the longest available instrumental record of temperature in the world.
~ To gain access to the data & software, users must complete & sign a "conditions of use form".
~ You will then be given FTP access to the data directories from an account on a BADC computer.
~ UK Meteorological Office data sets are available for bona fide academic research only.

The climate of London
Luke Howard, London:Harvey & Darton, J.& A. Arch, Longman, Hatchard, S. Highley [and] R. Hunter, 1833.
London| In library | 1st ed. 1806-1819, 2nd ed. 1797-1833| English | In Print
~ 1st. ed, 2 vols. in Special Collections at Regenstein Library, University of Chicago, QC 989 G7 H85.
~ 2nd edition, 3 vols in the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - 551.5 J300

Results of the thermometrical observations made at Leith Fort every hour of the day & night during the whole of the years 1824 & 1825 - David Brewster [S.l. : s.n., 1826?]
Scotland| In library | 1824-1825 | English | Hourly| In Print
~ Available at the Regenstein Library, University of Chicago - AS 122 E21 v.10 p.362-388

Manual of the weather for the year MDCCCXXXI - George Mackenzie, Leith, W. Reid, 1830.   
Scotland| In library | 1831 | English | Hourly| In Print
~ Available in Special Collections at Regenstein Library, University of Chicago - QC 981 M17

UK Climate Stations Data - United Kingdom Meteorological Office (UKMO)
United Kingdom| Free - login required | 1959-1998 | English | Daily | Web
~ Climate (daily reporting) station data is available from about 1000 climate stations.
~ The parameters include the following; daily measurements of temperature, rainfall & ground state.
~ 0900 GMT measurements of temp, vapor pressure, relative humidity & soil temp at several depths.
~ To gain access to the data & software, users must complete & sign a "conditions of use form".
~ You will then be given FTP access to the data directories from an account on a BADC computer.
~ UK Meteorological Office data sets are available for bona fide academic research only.

Results of the meteorological observations made in Japan for each period of five years since 1876 & for the 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years ending 1905 - Tokyo, Central meteorological observatory, 1906.
Japan | In Library| 1876-1905| Language: English & Japanese | Dates: See title| In Print
~ Located in the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago - QC 990 J3T6

Climatological Consulting Corporation
~ Fee-based service.
~ Specializing in Forensic Meteorology & Climatology.
~ Application of past & present weather / atmospheric data & theory to litigation & insurance needs.
~ Retrospective reconstruction of pertinent weather events is performed.

World Meteorological Organization - Meteorological services of the world. Geneva, 1994.
~ Also in print: located in the John Crerar Library, University of Chicago- QC3875 A2 W9
~ Loose-leaf with updates
~ Listings are by country, with descriptions of official & unofficial meteorological services, addresses, staff & publications: http://www.wmo.ch/index.html

State Climate Offices - National Climatic Data Center
~ Direct links to Climate Offices throughout the USA.
~ Complete contact information provided.

Meteorological Service of Canada - Environment Canada

Hurricanes | Tornadoes | Precipitation |Lightning | Hail | Snow & Ice | Drought | El Nino | La Nina
Ozone Layer |Greenhouse Gases | Videos/Audio/ Photos
Statistical Information is included where possible.

HURRICANES

Tropical Storms, Worldwide - Thomas R. Metcalf
~ Storm data archives from 1994-2000. Look under "Data Format" for explanation of table.
~ Storm track maps (GIF & PDF)
~ Yearly summaries of forecast accuracy
~ Current storms listed.

Climatology of Caribbean Hurricanes
~ Summary of the past five years of hurricane activity.
~ Points of origin of tropical system on a month by month basis
~ Includes regional & island information.
~ Weekly analyses from historical tropical data from 1886-1999.

Tropical Storms, Worldwide - Thomas R. Metcalf
~ Storm data archives from 1994-2000. Look under "Data Format" for explanation of table.
~ Storm track maps (GIF & PDF)
~ Yearly summaries of forecast accuracy
~ Current storms listed.

Tornado Project Online
~ Tornados of 2000
~ Tornadoes Past and Present
~ Storm Chasing
~ Tornado Stories, Videos, Books, Myths
~ The Fujita Scale:
     rates intensity of a tornado by examining damage caused after it has passed over a man-made structure.
~ FAQ

U.S. Severe Weather Meterology & Climatology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln High Plains Regional Climate Center
~ Information is organized by maps, graphs & tables.
~ Tornado information includes: U.S. tornado statistics, tornado frequency & deaths -1916-99, Tornado Rankings (by State).

Mr. Tornado The Life & Career of Ted Fujita - Jeff Rosenfeld, Weatherwise magazine, May/June 1999
~ Mr. Fujita developed the F-scale of tornado wind speed damage.
~ His career spanned more than 50 years of research, a portion of which was spent at the University of Chicago.

'Mr. Tornado,' Ted Fujita, dies at 78 - USA Today, Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998
~ Provides links to other news articles involving Ted Fujita.

WMO/GAW Precipitation Chemistry Station Maps
Quality Assurance / Science Activity Center for the Americas
~ Pollutants in rain water.
~ Data for Africa, Asia & Arabia, South America, North & Central America, South-West Pacific, Europe & the Middle East.

Lightning in The United States - University of Nebraska-Lincoln High Plains Climate Center
~ Lightning Injuries 1959-1997
~ Lightning Fatalities 1959-1997

Historical US Hail Data Archive by Year - Storm Prediction Center
~ Data available for 1955-1995.
~ All files are zipped.

Hail Database for the United States - Changnon Climatologist, Mahomet, IL
~ CD-ROM available at a cost of $25.00.
~ Contains historical (1901-1994) hail-day frequency data for 1,061 weather stations in 27 States.
~ A third data set for the 27 states are the annual loss cost values based on crop-hail insurance records for 1949-1994.

National Snow & Ice Data Center (NSIDC)
~ NSIDC archives digital & analog snow & ice data.
~ Ordering information for all of the data sets NSIDC archives & distributes is included.
~ Maintains information about snow cover & avalanches, glaciers & ice sheets, floating ice, ground ice & permafrost, atmospheric ice, paleoglaciology & ice cores.

National Drought Mitigation Center - University of Nebraska-Lincoln
~ SPI maps & current conditions
~ Maps, charts, graphs.
~ Definitions, indices, etc.
~ Effects of various droughts.
~ Easing impacts.
~ Drought planners nationwide.
~ News.

El Ni?o Theme Page

Answers to La Ni?a FAQ - US Department of Commerce National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
~ What is La Ni?a?
~ What is the difference between La Ni?a & El Ni?o?
~ Why do El Ni?o & La Ni?a occur?
~ & more.

World Ozone & Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre (WOUDC)
Experimental Studies Division of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)
~ WOUDC is part of the Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) programme.
~ The GAW programme is part of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
~ Provides links to publications & data (including "help submitting & retrieving data", "products" such as cd-roms, & "data" such as data archive & station information & other meta data.

World Data Centre for Surface Ozone (WDCSO3) - Norwegian Institute for Air Research
~ Access to dataset is free but requires a username & password which is provided via email.
~ Each WDCSO3 data set, representing a given measurement period, consists of a header (site coordinates, instrumentation, etc.), the primary data (surface ozone & meteorological measurements), & the auxiliary data (UV, NOx, etc.). The data is to be reported from the individual stations on a monthly basis, with revised data, as available.

WMO Northern Hemisphere Ozone Mapping Centre
Laboratory of Atmospheric Physics-Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
~ Total ozone maps are available via FTP.
~ Animated Total Ozone Maps are available from 1999-2000.

WMO World Data Centre for Greenhouse Gases
Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo, Japan
~ Data & Publications.
~ Recent Activities
~ Involved in systematic collection & distribution of the data on the concentrations of greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4, CFCs, N2O, etc.), & the related gases (e.g., CO, NOx, SO2) in the atmosphere & the ocean.
.

Video & Audio Links - NOAA Weather Video tapes  

Movie Catalog - NASA

Project Impact - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
~ "Federal agency charged with building & supporting the nation's emergency management system".
~ Photo Library - photographs of disaster sites.
~ Project Impact Photographs - photographs from conferences, projects & more.

WeatherCams - UM Weather
~ Access to over 800 weather cameras across North America.

Weather Cameras (USA) - The Weather Resource

Weather Cameras (Germany) - Donner Wetter

Weather Cameras (Europe) - Wiagra

All years |2000 | 1999 |1998 |1997| 1996 |1979 | 1967
Statistical Information is included where possible.
  

All Years

Extreme Weather & Climate Events - National Climatic Data Center
~ Hurricane Information from 1901-1996
~ US Radar Composites
~ Heavy Precipitation from 1993-1998
~ US Local Storm Reports
~ Temperature Extremes from 1899-1998 
~ The Climate of 2000
~ Tornadoes from 1925-1995~ El Ni?o/La Ni?a
~ Worldwide Weather Events of 1991-2000 
~ Global Climate Change
~ Historical Significant Events Imagery database
~ Billion Dollar US Weather Disasters, 1980-2000
~ Global Measured Extremes of Temperature & Precipitation

Storm Chase News & Archives
~ Provides information on cases of severe weather & tornados since 1884 +.
~ Organized by year, month & day in reverse chronological order.
~ Information is provided in various forms. For example: a letter written by Franklin Delano Roosevelt about a 1936 tornado, links to various climatology centers, personnel accounts, news reports & more.

Billion Dollar US Weather Disasters, 1980-2000 - National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
~ Narrative
~ Chronological List
~ Global Historical Extremes
~ El Nino/La Nina
~ Technical Report (PDF)

The 100 Most Expensive Natural Disasters of the 20TH Century - The Disaster Center
~ Provides: country, year, day, month, disaster, region, continent & cost of damage in US dollars.

Disasters of 2000 - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
~ USA only. Sorted by State.
~ Detailed information about each disaster is provided.

The Nature & Impacts of the July 1999 Heat Wave in the Midwest - Midwestern Climate Center
~ The Climatology of the Midwest Heat Wave of 1999
~ Heat Wave Impacts
~Graphs included.

Ice storm devastates parts of Canada, US Northeast - CNN Interactive
~ News report

Ice Storm 1998 - St. Lawrence University - Anne Chism
~ "Worst ice storm in half a century hit the eastern US & Canada".
~ In the News
~ North Country Pictures
~ Area Reports & Information
~ Journals

Ice Storm 1998 - Environment Canada
~ Preliminary map of freezing rain accumulations
~ Real Video: Jan 12 Prime Minister's comments (CBC)
~ The worst ice storm in Canadian history?
~ A closer look at a rare event
~ Is there a link to El Nino?
~ What about climate change?
~ Weather around the clock
~ Be prepared! Winter watches & warnings

Summary of US Natural Hazard Statistics for 1997 - NOAA
~ Includes: weather events, fatalities, injuries & damage costs.
~ In addition statistics are provided for: fatalities by gender & month.

1996 Record Breaking Cold Wave - Midwestern Climate Center
~ Statewide four-day cold outbreaks for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio.

The Blizzards of 1996 - National Snow & Ice Data Center
~ Information on the blizzards & winter storms of 1996.
~ Includes a selection of satellite images & surface maps for each of the storm events.

The Blizzard of 1996 in the Northeast - Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University
~ Press release from Cornell News Service
~ Table of snowfall amounts for major cities
~ Map of snowfall amounts across the Northeast

Chicago - 1967, 1979: Major Snowstorms, Chicago Historical Information - Chicago Public Library
~ Basic information is provided plus an illustration.

Bibliographies on climate - US Environmental Data Service. Washington DC, 1955-1966.
~ Located in the Regenstein Library, University of Chicago - Z 6683 .C5U6
~ Although not currently published, these still are excellent sources for detailed information on climatic publications for over 100 countries.

General climatology information | Climatological data | Climatology/Weather  Offices
        Natural  Disasters & other Weather Events | Special  Topics 
Bibliographies | John Crerar Library | Top of page