Precipitation gauge measurements over land from the GHCN-v2 (Global Historical Climatology Network version 2) are interpolated onto 3 grids: at 0.5, 1 and 2.5 degree resolutions via optimal interpolation. Note: As of May, 2011 the GHCN version 3 station data set is available.
Key Strengths:
- Land grid points are derived from high quality station gauge measurements.
- Near real-time updates
Key Limitations:
- Smaller gauge network than GPCC; no new stations added since GHCNv2 release ~1997
Data Access: Please Cite data sources, following the data providers' instructions.
- Chen, M., P. Xie, J. E. Janowiak, and P. A. Arkin, 2002: Global Land Precipitation: A 50-yr Monthly Analysis Based on Gauge Observations, J. of Hydrometeorology, 3, 249-266
- Modifications to Pairwise Homogeneity Adjustment software to address coding errors and improve run - time efficiency. NCDC Technical Report NCDC No. GHCNM - 12 - 02