The National Center for Atmospheric Research provides a computer-accessible archive for use by scientists, teachers, and students. The archive contains over 400 datasets of observations and analyses. NCAR staff in the Data Support Section of the Scientific Computing Division add new datasets and update existing ones to support the needs of the research community.
A major strength of NCAR's data archive is the variety and versatility of its data collection. Frequently used datasets include
* Gridded Atmospheric Analyses. Major datasets include gridded representations of such atmospheric elements as temperature, pressure, and wind that are derived from observational data by the National Meteorological Center and the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts.
* Satellite Data. The archive includes Global Area Coverage data and TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as other sets of satellite data.
NOAA GOES Satellite 
* Climate Model Data for Assessment Studies. NCAR has been acting as a center for climate model data for assessment studies since 1987. The studies include the effects of climate change on crops, forests, grasslands, and rivers.
* Long-Term Climate, Climate Trend, and Variability Data. Climate data over time are useful for verifying the accuracy of computer climate simulations, as well as to provide the initial boundary data for climate predictions using computer models. Scientists can access these data to study climate trends as far back as the mid-1800s.
Global temperature variations between 1854 and 1991. Data from P. D. Jones, T.M.L. Wigley, and P. B. Wright, University of East Anglia, United Kingdom.
* Reanalysis of World Data. Existing gridded datasets for the 1950 to 1990 period were derived using primitive techniques at first, and went through many changes while evolving to current methods. Many desirable output products are not available in the existing datasets, and there is now more data available for input to the analysis. NCAR is collaborating with the National Meteorological Center to reanalyze the world's atmospheric data, starting with data from 1957. By reanalyzing old data with new models, the effect of the changes in models is removed. Consistent data over a long time span are essential for global climate studies.
Sea-surface temperatures in the tropical oceans. The left panel indicates warm (El Nino) and right panel cool (La Nina) conditions. (Red indicates warmer water and blue cooler.) The Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set and satellite data were combined to create global view, courtesy of the Coupled Model Project at the National Meteorological Center.
* Ocean Data. NCAR maintains a suite of ocean datasets to support modeling, climate, and observational research. The Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Dataset combines many marine surface datasets, including observations from merchant ships, research ships, and ocean buoys. This cooperative effort between NCAR and NOAA has produced the best available global dataset for the long period 1854-1992. Continuing work will extend and improve this dataset.
Map of the Boulder, Colorado, area made from the Selected 3-Second Resolution Topographic Dataset. Elevations are exaggerated by a factor of 3 to accentuate the mountains.
* Geophysical Datasets. NCAR obtains data from a variety of sources as needed by the research community. Examples include global elevation datasets provided by the U.S. Navy, the National Geophysical Data Center, the National Meteorological Center, Rand Corp., and the Defense Mapping Agency. Vegetation data are provided from a variety of sources. Users often use geophysical data for projects that involve agriculture, forests, rivers, or lakes, and for model boundary conditions.
* Datasets for Science Education. NCAR has supplied datasets to secondary schools for school projects. Some sets are available for Internet access, and more will be added. NCAR will also contribute data and expertise to the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment project, an ambitious initiative that would have all school children assist in monitoring the earth's environment by taking atmospheric measurements and using the data they collect in their own experiments.
NCAR Data Support Section staff.
Many small datasets are accessible over the Internet at no charge. The entire archive is stored on the NCAR Mass Storage System (MSS). For a fee based on data volume, requested data can be moved from the MSS to disk for Internet access or copied to various media for distribution. Users of the NCAR computer systems may use data directly from the MSS.
* Data on CD-ROM. Northern Hemisphere National Meteorological Center gridded analyses, 1946-1989, are available on a CD-ROM produced by the University of Washington and NCAR. NCAR plans to make several additional collections of data available on CD-ROM, including a series of National Meteorological Center 2.5-degree global analyses and a series containing North American rawinsonde data and hourly surface observations.
* Personalized Services. NCAR staff are available to help you locate data appropriate for your research needs. They can also help you use the data, and provide supporting software and a variety of additional documentation.
For assistance or further information on ordering and pricing, contact
NCAR, Scientific Computing Division
Data Support Section
P.O. Box 3000
Boulder, CO 80307-3000
E-mail: datahelp@ncar.ucar.edu
Datasets illustrated on this page were rendered using the NCAR Graphics package. Satellite photo courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. All other photos: NCAR Photographics. Design: NCAR Graphic Services.
NCAR is operated by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a consortium of universities with graduate programs in atmospheric science, under the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. NCAR is an equal opportunity employer.