NWS Daily Climatology Data: 1981 (SNF)

1981 weather data collected by the National Weather Service in International Falls, Minnesota, approximately 80 miles from the Superior National Forest (SNF). Total solar insolation measurements were made at Fall Lake Dam in Winton, Minnesota, using a Yellow Springs solar cell calibrated against an Eppley Pyranometer. The dataset likely contains daily records of atmospheric temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and solar radiation.

Use Cases

• Analyzing daily temperature trends based on NWS surface air temperature data.
• Modeling solar energy potential using calibrated solar insolation measurements.
• Studying historical precipitation patterns for hydrological research.
• Correlating atmospheric water vapor indicators with regional weather events.

Strengths

• Data collected by the authoritative National Weather Service (NWS).
• Solar insolation measurements were calibrated against a professional-grade Eppley Pyranometer.
• Appears on multiple platforms (Data.gov, NASA Earthdata), suggesting recognized importance.

Limitations

• Column names and exact row counts are unknown, limiting immediate usability.
• Conflicting last-updated dates (1981 vs. 2026) create uncertainty about data currency and provenance.
• Metadata is sparse, with incomplete author and organization details.

Provenance

Source

National Weather Service (International Falls, MN); Prof. Donald Baker, University of Minnesota, St. Paul (Soil Science Department).

Collection Method

Weather data collected by NWS; solar insolation measured with a Yellow Springs solar cell.

Time Range

1981

Freshness

Last updated date conflicts: 1981-12-31 on NASA Earthdata vs. 2026-04-09 on Data.gov.

Geography

International Falls, Minnesota, and Fall Lake Dam in Winton, Minnesota (representative of the Superior National Forest area).