Why is NOAA lying to us?

NOAA Ghost Stations refer to weather stations within the U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that are no longer operational but continue to report data. Here’s a detailed look into this phenomenon:

Definition and Explanation:

  • Ghost Stations: These are stations that no longer exist in their physical form or have ceased to provide actual temperature readings. Instead, their data is estimated or “fabricated” by NOAA using readings from nearby active stations.
  • Operational Context: NOAA maintains a network known as the USHCN, which is used to monitor long-term climate trends. When stations go offline due to various reasons like equipment failure or lack of maintenance, NOAA uses a method where temperature data for these stations is estimated based on data from surrounding stations.

Issues and Criticisms:

  • Data Integrity: Critics argue that this practice of using estimated data for stations no longer in operation can skew climate data. The concern is that this might exaggerate or misrepresent temperature trends, potentially affecting climate change analyses.
  • Transparency: There has been criticism about the lack of transparency regarding which stations are operational versus those that are “ghost stations”. Critics claim that NOAA does not clearly mark which data points are estimates rather than direct observations.
  • Impact on Climate Data: Some researchers and commentators, particularly those skeptical of climate change narratives, have highlighted this as an example of potentially flawed methodology in climate data collection. They argue that such practices could lead to inaccurate climate models or predictions.

Evidence and Acknowledgement:

  • NOAA’s Acknowledgment: NOAA does acknowledge the use of estimated data. For instance, they append an “E” to temperature data to indicate it’s an estimate. However, the extent and the impact of these estimations are subjects of debate.
  • Documentation: There are documented cases where stations have been found to be non-operational, yet continue to report data. These have been reported in various online sources, including blogs and social media, where individuals have physically visited these sites to find no weather instruments present.