Two long-term instrumental data bases containing meteorological observations from the People`s Republic of China (PRC) are described. These data sets were compiled in accordance with a joint research agreement signed by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the PRC Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) on August 19, 1987. CAS has provided records from 265 stations, partitioned into networks of 60 and 205 stations which each provide good geographical coverage of the PRC. The 60-station network data contain monthly measurements of barometric pressure, air temperature, precipitation amount, relative humidity, sunshine duration, cloud amount, wind direction and speed, and number of days with snow cover. Detailed station histories are presented for all 60 stations. The 205-station network data contain monthly mean temperatures and monthly precipitation totals; however, station histories are not currently available. Sixteen stations from these data sets (13 from the 60-station, 3 from the 205-station) have temperature and/or precipitation records which begin prior to 1900, whereas the remaining stations began observing in the early to mid 1900s. Records from the 262 stations extend through 1988; the remaining three station records extend through the early 1980s. These data can be used in defining regional climate changes, establishing relationships between regional and large-scale climates, and in studying the climatic impacts of urbanization and increased concentrations of greenhouse gases. Additional uses could include examining impacts of periodic events such as volcanic eruptions or the El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). These data sets represent the most comprehensive, long-term instrumental Chinese climate data presently available.
