High-resolution gridded datasets (and derived products)

This page contains four sections: Current Datasets and Static Climatologies Legacy Datasets Superseded Datasets General Information

CRU TS & CRU CY BLOG (more) 27 June 2024 CRU TS v4.08 released (apologies for the unavoidable delay) 23 April 2024 CRU TS v4.08 delayed 20 April 2023 CRU TS & CRU CY v4.07 released 20 April 2023 CRU CL CLD climatology reverted to v1.0, see Read Me for details 29 June 2022 v4.06.01 CRU CY CLD published, based on the CRU TS point release (below) 28 June 2022 v4.06.01 CRU TS CLD published, see Read Me for details 16 June 2022 v4.06 CLD withdrawn 30 May 2022 Revised climatology, CRU CL v1.1, released 26 May 2022 CRU TS & CRU CY v4.06 released 11 January 2022 Advance Warning: revised climatologies 17 March 2021 CRU TS & CRU CY v4.05 released 6 June 2020 Obligatory Welcome to the Blog post 6 June 2020 Bug report: affecting multiple variables, minor 3 June 2020 Bug report: affecting VAP, minor

Current Datasets and Static Climatologies The CRU TS dataset was developed and has been subsequently updated, improved and maintained with support from a number of funders, principally the UK's Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the US Department of Energy. Long-term support is currently provided by the UK National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), a NERC collaborative centre. CRU gratefully acknowledges the support of all these funding agencies. Always read the relevant documentation and publications
CRU TS v. 4.08 The current version of CRU TS, using a revised interpolation function, and superseding v4.07, v4.08early (unreleased) and v3.26. Access at CEDA Also available at Climate Explorer (click on Select a field, Monthly observations) If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface to TMP, PRE, DTR and VAP	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 27 June 2024, covers the period 1901-2023 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v. 4.08 The current version of CRU CY, which supersedes v4.07 and v3.26. This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt Access at CEDA If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version will cover the period 1901-2023 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CL v. 1.1 https://crudata.uea.ac.uk/cru/data/hrg/cru_cl_1.1/	A gridded climatology of 1961-1990 monthly means This version was released in 2022, with CLD being reverted to v1.0 in 2023. It is used in the construction of CRU TS v4.07 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: tmp, dtr, pre, vap, wet, cld Information:Technical_note_CRU_CL_v1.1.pdf Read_Me_CRU_CL_CLD_Reversion.txt
CRU CL v. 2.0 Link to data	A gridded climatology of 1961-1990 monthly means This version was released in 2002 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 10' resolution Variables: pre, wet, tmp, dtr, rhm, ssh, frs, wnd Reference: New et al. (2002) doi (click to access)
CRU CL v. 2.1 Available on request	A gridded climatology of 1961-1990 monthly means This version was released in 2003 Coverage: European land areas at 10' resolution Variables: cld, vap Reference: Michell et al. (2003) Tyndall WP 55 (click to access)

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Legacy Datasets (not maintained or updated) Always read the relevant documentation and publications
CRU TS v 1.2 Link to data	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2003, covers the period 1901-2000 Coverage: European land areas at 10' resolution Variables: pre, tmp, dtr, vap, cld Reference: Mitchell et al. (2003) Tyndall WP 55 (click to access)
TYN SC v. 1.0 Withdrawn but available here	A gridded dataset of future scenarios This version, released in 2003, covers the period 2001-2100 Coverage: European land areas at 10' resolution Variables: pre, tmp, dtr, vap, cld Reference: Mitchell et al. (2003) Tyndall WP 55 (click to access)
TYN SC v. 2.0 Withdrawn but available here	A gridded dataset of future scenarios This version, released in 2003, covers the period 2001-2100 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, dtr, vap, cld Reference: Mitchell et al. (2003) Tyndall WP 55 (click to access)
Notes	The 'TYN SC' scenarios of possible future climate change are no longer recommended for use, because they are based on older generation climate models and no support is provided. The data are still available for the purposes of replicating previously published work that may have used these data. For scenarios based on newer generations of climate models, see ClimGen.

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Superseded Datasets Always read the relevant documentation and publications
CRU TS v. 1.0 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Available on request	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2000, covers the period 1901-1995 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, dtr, wet, vap, cld, frs Reference: New et al. (2000) doi (click to access)
CRU TS v. 1.1 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Available on request	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2000, covers the period 1901-1998 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp Reference: New et al. (2000; updated) doi (click to access)
CRU TS v. 2.0 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2003, covers the period 1901-2000 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, dtr, vap, cld Reference: Mitchell et al. (2003) Tyndall WP 55 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 2.10 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2005, covers the period 1901-2002 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs Reference: Mitchell and Jones (2005) doi (click to access)
CRU TS v. 3.00 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2006, covers the period 1901-2005 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.10 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2010, covers the period 1901-2009 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.10.01 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2010, corrects a bug in v. 3.10 precipitation Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.20 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2012, covers the period 1901-2011 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.21 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released in 2013, covers the period 1901-2012 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.22 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 4 July 2014, covers the period 1901-2013 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.23 Withdrawn but available here (CEDA) Link to local copy	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 1 September 2015, covers the period 1901-2014 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.24 WITHDRAWN This version was withdrawn, owing to several errors in the gridded output. It was replaced by version 3.24.01 Please see this note: Known_Problems_CRU_TS_3.24.txt	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 7 October 2016, covers the period 1901-2015 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 3.24.01 Superseded by current version of CRU TS This version replaced v3.24, which was withdrawn (see Known_Problems_CRU_TS_3.24.txt). Access at CEDA If CEDA is down, there is a local backup	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 26 January 2017, covers the period 1901-2015 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gbr3nh Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 4.00 Superseded by current version of CRU TS A new version of CRU TS incorporating many process changes, see: Release_Notes_CRU_TS4.00.txt. Access at CEDA Local Copy	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 13 March 2017, covers the period 1901-2015 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gbr3nj Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 3.25 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Please use this version to maintain continuity with previous releases (3.24.01, 3.23, etc), or alongside 4.01 to assess how the process change might affect you: we welcome feedback. Access at CEDA If CEDA is down, there is a local backup Google Earth Interface (TMP and PRE only)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 20 September 2017, covers the period 1901-2016 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gcmdf7 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 4.01 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Access at CEDA If CEDA is down, there is a Local Copy	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 20 September 2017, covers the period 1901-2016 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gcmcz3 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 3.26 Superseded by current version of CRU TS This version replaced v3.25, which it superseded. This is the final version of CRU TS version 3. Please use this version to maintain continuity with previous releases (3.24.01, 3.25, etc), or alongside 4.02 (etc) to assess how the process change might affect you: we welcome feedback. Until CEDA have the release, there is a Local Copy	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 18 November 2018, covers the period 1901-2017 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU TS v. 4.02 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Until CEDA have the release, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface (TMP and PRE only)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 18 November 2018, covers the period 1901-2017 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 4.03 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Access at CEDA If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface (TMP and PRE only)	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 15 May 2019, covers the period 1901-2018 Dataset DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5285/10d3e3640f004c578403419aac167d82 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 4.04 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Access at CEDA. If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface to TMP, PRE, DTR and VAP	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 24 April 2020, covers the period 1901-2019 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 4.05 Superseded by current version of CRU TS Access at CEDA If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface to TMP, PRE, DTR and VAP	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 17 March 2021, covers the period 1901-2020 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 4.06 Superseded by current version of CRU TS When available at CEDA, the link will be here If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface to TMP, PRE, DTR and VAP	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 26 May 2022, covers the period 1901-2021 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU TS v. 4.07 Superseded by current version of CRU TS When available at CEDA, the link will be here If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy Google Earth Interface to TMP, PRE, DTR and VAP is here	A gridded time-series dataset This version, released 19 April 2023, covers the period 1901-2022 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
TYN CY v. 1.0 Superseded by current version of CRU CY Withdrawn but available here	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released in 2000, covers the period 1901-1998 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, dtr, wet, vap, cld, frs Reference: Mitchell et al. (2002) pdf of paper (click to access)
TYN CY v. 1.1 Superseded by current version of CRU CY Withdrawn but available here	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released in 2002, covers the period 1901-2000 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, wet, vap, cld, frs Reference: Mitchell et al. (2002) pdf of paper (click to access)
CRU CY v. 3.21 Superseded by current version Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released in 2013, covers the period 1901-2012 Coverage: Countries (definitions due for revision in 2015) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 3.22 Superseded by current version Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released in 2014, covers the period 1901-2013 Coverage: Countries (definitions due for revision in 2015) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 3.23 Superseded by current version Withdrawn but available here (CEDA)	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 1 September 2015, covers the period 1901-2014 Coverage: Countries Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 3.24 WITHDRAWN This version was withdrawn, owing to errors in CRU TS v3.24. It was replaced by version 3.24.01	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 7 October 2016, covers the period 1901-2015 Coverage: Countries (definitions still under revision) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 4.00 Superseded by current version Submitted to CEDA Link to local copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 13 March 2017, covers the period 1901-2015 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gbr3nf Coverage: Countries (definitions still under revision) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v. 3.24.01 Superseded by current version Submitted to CEDA Link to local copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 26 January 2017, covers the period 1901-2015 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gbr3ng Coverage: Countries (definitions still under revision) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 3.25 Will shortly be superseded by current version This version uses an updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt A version using the previous, 'old' country definitions is also being made available, to assist with the change. Submitted to CEDA Link to local copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 20 September 2017, covers the period 1901-2016 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gcmcz4 Coverage: Countries (updated for this release) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 4.01 Will be shortly superseded by current version This version uses an updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt A version using the previous, 'old' country definitions is also being made available, to assist with the change. Submitted to CEDA Link to local copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 20 September 2017, covers the period 1901-2015 Dataset DOI: http://doi.org/10/gcmcz5 Coverage: Countries (updated for this release) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v. 3.26 Superseded by current version This version replaced v3.25, which it superseded. This is the final version of CRU CY version 3. This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_3.26_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt Until CEDA have the release, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 20 November 2018, covers the period 1901-2017 Dataset DOI not yet available Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2014) doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click to access) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD)
CRU CY v. 4.02 Superseded by current version This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_4.02_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt Until CEDA have the release, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released November 2018, covers the period 1901-2017 Dataset DOI not yet available Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v. 4.03 Superseded by current version This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_4.03_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt Access at CEDA If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 15 May 2019, covers the period 1901-2018 Dataset DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5285/d6768285fdc8408bbb9b02bb0f317774 Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v. 4.04 Superseded by current version This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_4.04_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt Access at CEDA will appear here when available If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 24 April 2020, covers the period 1901-2019 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v. 4.05 Superseded by current version This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_4.05_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt Access at CEDA If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 17 March 2021, covers the period 1901-2020 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v.4.06 Superseded by current version This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt When available at CEDA, the link will be here If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 26 May 2022, covers the period 1901-2021 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CY v.4.07 Superseded by current version This version uses the updated set of country definitions: Read_Me_CRU_CY_Updated_Country_Definitions.txt When available at CEDA, the link will be here If CEDA access is unavailable, there is a Local Copy	A dataset of country means derived from CRU TS This version, released 19 April 2023, covers the period 1901-2022 Dataset DOI will appear here when granted. Coverage: Countries (updated 2017) Variables: pre, tmp, tmx, tmn, dtr, vap, cld, wet, frs, pet NEW Reference to source dataset: Harris et al. (2020) doi:10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 (click to access)
CRU CL v. 1.0 Superseded by current version Link to data (at IPCC-DDC)	A gridded climatology of 1961-1990 monthly means This version was released in 1999, and is was in the construction of CRU TS up to v4.05 Coverage: All land areas (excluding Antarctica) at 0.5° resolution Variables: pre, wet, tmp, dtr, vap, spc, cld, frs, wnd Reference: New et al. (1999) doi (click to access)

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General Information Availability / Conditions of use / References / Data Formats / Variables / Coverage / Naming Conventions
Availability Some data is available from the CRU website. However, most recent data (CRU TS, CRU CY) is distributed via CEDA. DropBox may be used in extraordinary circumstances to allow timely access to new releases. Where the status is marked as 'available on request', please email cru@uea.ac.uk, stating which dataset(s) you require and the area of research you intend to use them in. Please do not request those datasets marked as 'superseded', unless you are certain that you require them.
Conditions of use The various datasets on the CRU website are provided for all to use, provided the sources are acknowledged. Acknowledgement should preferably be by citing one or more of the papers referenced. The website can also be acknowledged if deemed necessary.
References: Please always reference appropriately when using these datasets. Harris I, Osborn TJ, Jones P and Lister D (2020) Version 4 of the CRU TS Monthly High-Resolution Gridded Multivariate Climate Dataset. Sci Data 7,, 109 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-020-0453-3 Harris, I., Jones, P.D., Osborn, T.J. and Lister, D.H. (2014), Updated high-resolution grids of monthly climatic observations - the CRU TS3.10 Dataset. International Journal of Climatology 34, 623-642 doi:10.1002/joc.3711 (click doi to access paper) Correction to the above paper: Revised Appendix 3 (CLD) Mitchell, T.D. and Jones, P.D., 2005: An improved method of constructing a database of monthly climate observations and associated high-resolution grids. International Journal of Climatology 25, 693-712 doi:10.1002/joc.1181 (click doi to access paper) Mitchell, T.D., Hulme, M. and New, M., 2002: Climate data for political areas. Area 34, 109-112 WHOLE PAPER AS PDF Mitchell, T. D., et al, 2003: A comprehensive set of climate scenarios for Europe and the globe. Tyndall Centre Working Paper 55. ABSTRACT AND WHOLE PAPER New, M., Hulme, M. and Jones, P.D., 1999: Representing twentieth century space-time climate variability. Part 1: development of a 1961-90 mean monthly terrestrial climatology. Journal of Climate 12, 829-856 doi:10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<0829:RTCSTC>2.0.CO;2 (click doi to access paper) New, M., Hulme, M. and Jones, P.D., 2000: Representing twentieth century space-time climate variability. Part 2: development of 1901-96 monthly grids of terrestrial surface climate. Journal of Climate 13, 2217-2238 doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2000)013<2217:RTCSTC>2.0.CO;2 (click doi to access paper) New, M., Lister, D., Hulme, M. and Makin, I., 2002: A high-resolution data set of surface climate over global land areas. Climate Research 21 doi:10.3354/cr021001 (click doi to access paper)
Data Formats Early datasets used a packed format which minimised storage requirements, known as 'GRIM'. This presented all the data for each gridcell in turn. The advantage was that the missing data (oceans, Antarctica) was simply not included. The disadvantage was that it required the user to reassemble the grids at the other end: a task carrying implications for storage and processing. CRU TS 2.10 was the last version to be produced in this format; it has since been converted to ASCII gridded format (below). Current gridded products (CRU TS) are presented either as ASCII grids, or in NetCDF format. The ASCII grids are 720 columns wide and 360 rows 'deep', with subsequent monthly grids concatenated onto earlier ones; missing values (ie, sea plus Antarctica) are -999. The (legacy) format is integer only, so most variables are x10, that is, you must divide by 10 to get actuals. The exceptions are the two day counts, WET and FRS: these are x100, so you must divide by 100 to get actuals.
Variables: abbreviations, definitions, units label variable units cld cloud cover percentage (%) dtr diurnal temperature range degrees Celsius frs frost day frequency days pet potential evapotranspiration millimetres per day pre precipitation millimetres per month rhm relative humidity percentage (%) ssh sunshine duration hours stn* number of stations contributing to each interpolation count 0-8 tmp monthly average daily mean temperature degrees Celsius tmn monthly average daily minimum temperature degrees Celsius tmx monthly average daily maximum temperature degrees Celsius vap vapour pressure hectopascals (hPa) wet wet day frequency days wnd wind speed metres per second (m/s)
* stn is present in all the NetCDF files, and is available as separate ASCII files.
Coverage All datasets on this page cover land surfaces only, with global datasets additionally excluding Antarctica.
Naming Conventions The identifying label is made up of: Institution of origin CRU = Climatic Research Unit TYN = Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research both at the University of East Anglia (UK) Label denoting the type of data-set CL = The average climate in the recent past. These are high-resolution grids. Allows spatial comparisons of environmental features; the dependency of certain features on mean climate may be assessed. TS = Month-by-month variations in weather/climate over the last century or so. These are high-resolution grids. Allows variations in weather/climate to be compared with variations in other phenomena. SC = A set of scenarios of possible climates in the future, using data from climate models. These are high-resolution grids. Allows environmental impact models to consider month-by-month changes in climate from the past, through the present, and into the future. Future uncertainties are represented through scenarios. CY = Country averages, based on aggregating grid cells together from the grids in CL, TS, or SC (usually TS). Allows international comparisons to be made, in conjunction with socio-economic data such as GDP, population, land area, etc. Version number

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Last updated: March 2024, Ian Harris

Licence These datasets are made available under the Open Government Licence. You are free to use this dataset but you must acknowledge the source of the information. Please use the attribution Climatic Research Unit (University of East Anglia) and NCAS. If it is appropriate to give citations and/or website links, then please also cite the relevant publication (see data table above) and/or provide a link to this website.