The U.S. Historical Climatology Network (USHCN) is a rigorously maintained dataset used by NOAA to monitor and quantify temperature changes across the contiguous United States. The network includes 1,218 stations chosen for their spatial coverage, record length, data completeness, and historical stability12.
Some online discussions have referred to "ghost stations"—stations that are closed or have incomplete data—but NOAA’s documentation explains that data from such stations are handled transparently. When station records are joined or extended, the process is documented, and adjustments are made to ensure data quality and continuity. These procedures are designed to correct for non-climatic changes, such as station moves or instrument updates, not to manipulate climate trends12.
Peer-reviewed studies have evaluated the reliability of USHCN data, including the impact of station siting and exposure, and found that adjustments largely account for these factors. The adjusted USHCN data align well with independent, high-standard networks like the U.S. Climate Reference Network, supporting their scientific validity1.
In summary, claims that USHCN station 82850 is a "ghost station" used as part of a conspiracy against climate change. The USHCN dataset is subject to robust quality control and transparency measures12.
Citations:
- https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-historical-climatology-network
- https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/ushcn/v2.5/readme.txt
