Northern Hemisphere Stratospheric Analyses from 1974 to 1996

Monthly stratospheric analyses for the Northern Hemisphere, spanning 267 months from July 1974 to September 1996. The data was created by Karin Labitzke and collaborators at the Meteorological Institute, Free University Berlin. This historical series is noted for its stable German analysis methods.

Use Cases

• Analyze long-term trends in stratospheric temperature or pressure fields over the 22-year period.
• Correlate monthly stratospheric conditions with solar cycle activity or other climatic indices.
• Validate reanalysis models using a historical record of Northern Hemisphere stratospheric state.

Strengths

• 267 months of continuous monthly data points.
• Analyses created using stable, consistent German methods over the full period.

Limitations

• Data is historical and ends in 1996, lacking recent decades.
• Stratospheric analyses are sensitive to changes in instrumentation, which may introduce inhomogeneities.
• The original dataset is superseded by a more complete CD-ROM series.

Provenance

Source

Karin Labitzke and collaborators, Meteorological Institute, Free University Berlin.

Collection Method

Stratospheric analyses derived from meteorological observations.

Time Range

July 1974 to September 1996.

Freshness

Static historical archive; last updated September 1996.

Geography

Northern Hemisphere.