This database contains data and information for the United States, its territories, and possessions, from 1950 to the present, and contains over 1.2 million records. Data are updated monthly with up to a 90-day delay due to the time required to collect and verify the information.

The database interface allows users to search for various types of storms recorded by state, county, and event type. The data contain a chronological listing, by state and county, of hurricanes, tornadoes, thunderstorms, hail, floods, drought conditions, lightning, high winds, snow, temperature extremes, and other weather phenomena. You can use the database to document:

1. The occurrence of storms and other significant weather phenomena having sufficient intensity to cause loss of life, injuries, significant property damage, and/or disruption to commerce;
2. Rare, unusual, weather phenomena that generate media attention, such as snow flurries in South Florida or the San Diego coastal area; and
3. Other significant meteorological events, such as record maximum or minimum temperatures or precipitation that occur in connection with another event.

Due to changes in the data collection and processing procedures over time, there are unique periods of record available depending on the event type. NCEI has performed data reformatting and standardization of event types, but has not changed any data values for locations, fatalities, injuries, damage, narratives, and any other event-specific information.