Services Q&A

What is the difference between hourly data, daily data, and monthly data?

Hourly data are the values observed each hour, usually at airport stations. Hourly values typically include temperature, dew point temperature, wet-bulb temperature, relative humidity, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction. Daily data refers to values that represent the character of the weather for a particular day. These usually include maximum temperature, minimum temperature, mean temperature, and total precipitation, but may include other values, such as snowfall. Monthly data refer to values the represent the character of the climate for a specific month and are typically averages or sums. Monthly data may include average maximum and minimum temperatures, average mean temperature, total precipitation, and total snowfall. Daily and monthly values are available for most airport stations as well as cooperative observer stations.

Do you provide sunrise and sunset data? Do you also provide information on the phases of the moon?

No, the U.S. Naval Observatory is the official source for these data. They provide this information for free on their web site.

I'm traveling to Minneapolis next week and would like to know what the weather is going to be like. Can you help me with this?

No, the MRCC does not provide weather forecasts, just historical data. Weather forecasts are the responsibility of the National Weather Service. NWS forecasts and other information can information can be found on the Interactive Weather Information Network web site.

I'm an attorney who has a trial coming up next month. We need to know what the official National Weather Service forecast was for the date of interest, not just the actual weather. Do you provide documentation of past weather forecasts?

No, the MRCC does not have this information available in their archives. Archives of past forecasts are only available from the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). They also have past severe weather watches, warnings and advisories available in their archives as well.