Weather and atmosphere data resources

Go beyond your local weather forecast with these tools. Watch the Earth from a satellite’s view in space, explore data collected by citizen scientists, and monitor hazards like hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts.
A screenshot of GOES East Infrared Satellite Image - Latest 24 Hours Western Hemisphere over North America from 8/16/18.

A screenshot of GOES East Infrared Satellite Image - Latest 24 Hours Western Hemisphere over North America from 8/16/18. (Image credit: NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service)

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This collection is organized into three categories: 

Classroom ready

Classroom-ready modules are designed with educators in mind. They use NOAA data in lesson plans and curricula for a straightforward experience.

 

Climate & Data ACLIPSE Activities

6th - 12th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
This collection uses real-time environmental data in self-directed student activities exploring the natural world. Students learn about carbon cycling, ocean acidification, and other phenomena related to climate change. These modules are designed with a three-dimensional approach to teaching in mind and use a data literacy framework.
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure

Data in the Classroom

5th - 12th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
Data in the Classroom has structured, student-directed lesson plans that use historical and real-time NOAA data. The five modules address research questions and include stepped levels of engagement with complex inquiry investigations with real-time and past data.
Interactive map • Numerical data • Satellite imagery • Graph/figure • Modeled/predicted

Easily accessible resources

Often geared for researchers, these data resources come in a variety of formats and are not associated with lesson plans. However, the ones we highlight here are user-friendly and usually address a single subject.

 

CoCoRaHS Network

The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, and Snow (CoCoRaHS) Network is a community-based network of volunteers who measure and map precipitation in all 50 states. Educators and students can sign up to collect data and anyone can access precipitation data updated daily. 
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure

GLOBE Data Visualization

View data collected by teachers and students participating in the GLOBE Program and long-term air temperature and precipitation observations from the Global Historical Climate Network (GHCN).
While lessons for data collection and other activities are a part of the GLOBE website, specific lessons for manipulation of this data are not provided at this link. 
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure

GOES East and West Image Viewer

View real-time imagery of the entire North and South American continents, plus much of the Eastern Pacific Ocean from NOAA’s state-of-the-art GOES East and West satellites. High resolution images and animations are available in visible light, infrared, and “geocolor” to show clouds and atmospheric conditions. 
Satellite imagery

Historical Hurricane Tracks

Visualize historical hurricane tracks on a global map. Search for specific hurricanes by name or year or view hurricane activity by region.
Get started with our tiny tutorials!
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure

Hourly Surface Data for the U.S. 

View real-time hourly temperature, wind chill, and heat index values for North America in this basic map.
Numerical data • Modeled/predicted

National Data Buoy Center

The National Data Buoy Center provides real-time environmental observations collected from buoys around the world. View both recent and historical information on ocean and weather conditions, as well as any current tsunami activity. Graphs and tables of data are available for water column height at each buoy location.
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS)

View the U.S Drought Monitor's weekly map and summary and the Climate Prediction Center's monthly drought outlook. Zoom in to see the regional, state, and county level and obtain historical comparisons.
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure

National Weather Service Enhanced Radar Images

View static and looped real-time Doppler radar images from the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, and Cuba. Information on how to load radar images into GIS programs is available. 
Interactive map

NOAA Satellite and Information Service 

View and download real-time, full-resolution satellite imagery from NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service. Visualize the latest satellite observations on interactive maps; check out the image of the day; explore past storms, floods, fires, and other events; and more.  
Interactive map • Satellite imagery

NOAA View Global Data Explorer

Access NOAA data from a variety of satellite, model, and other observations in a single, user-friendly map. Investigate various datasets related to the ocean, atmosphere, land, cryosphere, and climate and view them as animations over weeks, months, or years. Mouse over the maps to inspect individual data values at any point. 
Interactive map • Satellite imagery • Modeled/predicted

Weather Prediction Center

View weather forecasts up to 14 days out, including temperature, precipitation, fronts, and precipitation. 
Interactive map • Modeled/predicted

xmACIS

Search weather data from regional climate centers. Data is available for each Weather Forecast Office (WFO); find your local WFO here.
Numerical data • Graph/figure

Looking for more?

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for here, try exploring our major data repositories. These sites host vast troves of data from across many different subjects and disciplines.

 

National Digital Forecast Database Graphical Forecasts

Explore forecasted temperature, wind, precipitation, fire weather, wave heights, severe weather, hurricane threats, and water data.  Click through map options for new ways to view the data. 
Interactive map • Numerical data • Graph/figure • Modeled/predicted

Storm Prediction Center

The Storm Prediction Center shows real-time and recent severe weather predictions, fire warnings, and other hazard information. Some historical data is also available.
Interactive map

Local Climatological Data (LCD) [Advanced]

Part of the National Centers for Environmental Information, Local Climatological Data hosts common past weather data including temperature, precipitation, wind, pressure, and more. Search by state/territory, county, or zip code to download information. Some international data are available. 
Note: Though you may need to click "Add to cart" to obtain data, all information is free unless you require a certified copy. 
Numerical data

National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) [Advanced]

NCEI hosts and provides public access to one of the most significant archives for environmental data on Earth. Over 25 petabytes (25 million gigabytes) of atmospheric, coastal, oceanic, and geophysical data are available. 
Interactive map • Numerical data • Satellite imagery • Graph/figure • Modeled/predicted

Severe Weather Event Summaries [Advanced]

Designed for people with experience in meteorology, this site shows real time and historic severe weather data, focusing on tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, and wind. Datasets include daily events, monthly summaries, annual trends, downloadable radar data, and event archives.
Interactive map • Numerical data