Explanation of ClimatView

   ClimatView is a tool for overviewing and downloading monthly world climate data. It allows the user to see and obtain monthly mean temperatures, monthly total precipitation amounts and its anomaly or ratio at all available stations. Monthly means of daily maximum/minimum temperatures are also available. These data are derived from CLIMAT messages via the GTS line from WMO Members around the world.
   Data are available for the period after June 1982 when JMA started receiving CLIMAT messages. The current data refer to last month or the month before, and are usually updated around the 14th of each month. CLIMAT data received at the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) are also included in the database. JMA and DWD have operated the GCOS Surface Network Monitoring Centre in collaboration (http://www.gsnmc.dwd.de/GSNMC.htm) and exchanged CLIMAT data since 1999. JMA implements quality-checking of these data, although a few erroneous examples may remain in some cases.
   Climatological normals for monthly mean temperature and monthly total precipitation are based on the period 1981-2010. The data sources for the normals are based on CLIMAT messages received at JMA and the GHCN data distributed by the NCDC of NOAA (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/ghcnm/v2.php).

To view ClimatView graphics, Adobe-SVG Viewer is required (for Windows + Internet Explorer only; cannot be displayed with other browsers).

1. Click on the area of interest

On the top page of ClimatView, a global map is shown. Clicking on an area of interest shows another map of the area with the distribution of monthly mean temperatures. The month and year are selected on the top page (the default value is the most recent month).

2. Distribution map

    The user can choose the indicated area, month/year and element (monthly mean temperature, monthly total precipitation, monthly mean of daily maximum/minimum temperature, monthly mean temperature anomaly, monthly total precipitation ratio, normal of monthly mean temperature and normal of monthly total precipitation).
    Hovering over a station on the distribution map page shows the data of the chosen element and the name of the station in a pop-up balloon.
    Data at all stations in the selected area can be shown as a table by clicking the "Data list" button.

3. Historical graph and data

A time-sequential graph for two years can be displayed by clicking on the station. The period of the graph can be changed (1 year, 2 years, 5 years and all years are available). The list of data used for the graph is indicated below it, and can be download as a text file by clicking the "Download" button.

4. Tutorial

Please see tutorial.ppt(5.15MB) to learn how to use the ClimatView.