The CGIAR-CSI CRU Dataset is provided both in 5 x 5 degrees tiles, and by Continents, for easy download and use. It is also available clipped to the Water for Food Challenge Program (CPWF) Priority Basin boundaries. These are available as ArcInfo Grids to facilitate their ease of use in GIS applications. Data can be searched and downloaded by tiles from the Search Page, or by Continents and Basins, using a browser, or accessed directly from the FTP Site. A detailed explanation of the formatting, methods, data structure and data dictionary is given on the CGIAR-CSI CRU Data Structure Page. Many thanks to Antonio Trabucco for reformatting the data, geoprocessing the dataset for distribution on this site, and providing the impetus for this effort.
The CRU TS 2.1 Global Climate Dataset is comprised of 1224 monthly time-series of climate variables, for the period 1901-2002, covering the global land surface, excluding Antarctica, at 0.5 degrees resolution. The nine climate variables available through this dataset are: daily mean, minimum and maximum temperature, diurnal temperature range, precipitation, wet day frequency, frost day frequency, vapor pressure and cloud cover. The original CRU TS 2.1 dataset in ascii comma delimited format is available by ftp. The UEA-CRU TS 2.1 Data Request Page gives instruction on how to obtain the CRU original dataset.
CRU produced the original high-resolution climate grids (CRU TS 1.0; New et al., 2000) and an update to 1998 (CRU TS 1.1). Mitchell et al (2004) revised these grids and extended them to the year 2000 (CRU TS 2.0). The CRU 2.1 data-set revises and extends previous CRU data-sets. The grids have been recalculated in the version 2.1 for 1901-2002 period, following a complete revision of the underlying station databases and using an improved method. CRU expects to update this dataset soon, with data up until 2005. CGIAR-CSI will provide an update when this becomes available.
It is strongly recommended that users read this and associated articles related to the development and construction of the CRU dataset. The issues involved in using CRU TS 2.1 for time-series analysis are addressed more explicitly and fully at UEA-CRU TS 2.0 and Time-Series Analysis: Advice for Users. The authors of the CRU dataset recommend that all users who intend to examine climate change using this data-set should consider the issues carefully before beginning their work.
The creator of this data set (Dr. T. D. Mitchell) retains full ownership rights over it. The data set may be freely used for non-commercial scientific and educational purposes, provided it is described as CRU TS 2.1 and attributed to:
Mitchell T. D. and P. D. Jones. 2005. An improved method of constructing a database of monthly climate observations and associated high-resolution grids. International Journal of Climatology 25, 693-712.
The CGIAR-CSI has produced this website with the support of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and Dr. Robert Zomer. Special thanks to Anjitha Senarath for database programming and website development. Database search, data display, and download programming was originally implemented by GENESIIS Software (Colombo).
Many thanks to CGNET for hosting the database and tech support. If you find this data useful, please let us know at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Funding for the CGIAR-CSI GeoPortal has been provided by the CGIAR ICT-KM Program: ICT for Tomorrow's Science Initiative.
Documentations
Data Download
Note: You can access the legacy interface at http://csi.cgiar.org/cru/SELECTION/inputCoord.asp
