Policy and Uses

Policy for Data Use and Requests

Background: Much of climate information requested by the public comes from published records and computerized databases. Published records in print form extend through 2006 and are available at the National Climatic Data Center (NCDC). Many original historical data records for Utah for the nineteenth and early twentieth century have been transferred to and archived in the Utah State University Merrill-Cazier library. The Utah Climate Center serves as an official repository for both (1) published climate data records and (2) official publications from the NCDC, spanning several decades as part of an official agreement with that agency.

The weather and climate data provided by the Utah Climate Center are courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other federal, state and local authorities. The Utah Climate Center strives to provide quality climate data, but cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such data - please read our data disclaimer on this.

The dissemination of information from the Utah Climate Center, in the past, has been typically through paper in the mail, fax, or by electronic mail but now, is replaced by a GIS search facility. However, we anticipate that for particularly large data needs or more complex requests the user may have to contact the center directly or be referred to other sources; this is because many types of climate information requested by researchers, private corporations, and state agencies are of a nature that the information is either not published or is in a form that must be put together after considerable manipulation of available data sources. In such a capacity, the Utah Climate Center recommends those with a need for climate information to send their request and we will help to the best of our abilities and available resources.

A final word on the use of climate data is to request that you credit the source of any data that you download from the Utah Climate Center and if possible, please provide the center with the information as to the use of the data you download; you can do this by notifying us through the feedback page.

Data Disclaimer

The Utah Climate Center gives no warranty, expressed or implied as to the accuracy, reliability, utility or completeness of its data. The user assumes all responsibility and risk for the use of data provided by the Utah Climate Center. The Utah Climate Center disclaims all warranties, representations or endorsements, expressed or implied, with regard to the data provided, including all implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement.

The Utah Climate Center shall not be held liable for improper or incorrect use of data provided by the Utah Climate Center. Data appearing on the Utah Climate Center's web site are not legal documents and should not be used as such. Climate data needed for legal cases ultimately is best obtained (and verified for courtroom purposes) through NCDC.