Program Overview

• Program Overview
• Why the USCRN is Needed
• Site Selection Criteria
• What is Measured
• Station Instruments
• Site Photos

The United States Climate Reference Network (USCRN) is a system of weather observing stations developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The USCRN's primary goal is to provide long-term temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture and temperature observations that are of high quality and are taken in stable settings.

Data from the USCRN are used in a variety of weather forecasting, research, and commercial activities. The network consists of 114 commissioned stations in the contiguous United States, 25 stations in Alaska (with a plan to eventually have a total of 29), and 2 stations in Hawaii.

The USCRN Program Manager is Howard Diamond. The data access system is managed and coordinated by the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), a component of NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS).