GTN-P Data

Guidelines for data collection

In Volume II of the WMO Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation, a chapter on Measurement of Permafrost provides the first internationally coordinated guidance for observing permafrost Essential Climate Variables (ECVs). The guidelines define standardized methods for measuring permafrost temperature, active layer thickness, and rock glacier velocity – developed by the GCW Task Team on Permafrost in collaboration with GCOS, GTN-P, and the IPA.

To support consistent and high-quality data submission, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the document when providing data to GTN-P.

See: WMO Guide to Instruments and Methods of Observation.

The GTN-P Data Platform

The GTN-P Data Platform is the central access point for global permafrost data, currently providing datasets on Permafrost Temperature (PT) and Active Layer Thickness (ALT).

Built on modern technical standards, the platform is designed to be intuitive and easy to use. An interactive map, dynamically linked to thematic filters, allows users to explore the global network of GTN-P sites. Tailored views provide detailed access to datasets and metadata, while interactive graphs support clear data visualization. Data downloads are organized through a cart system, offering flexibility and convenience.

The platform is hosted on a reliable, containerized server infrastructure at the AWI Computing and Data Center, ensuring robust performance and long-term availability.

For programmatic access, a comprehensive API provides full machine-readable access to the database. An ID Resolver ensures stable and persistent links to GTN-P measurement sites, datasets, and related resources.

To upload data to the GTN-P Data Platform, users must register at https://upload.gtn-p.org/. Registered users can manage, update, and submit all existing data and metadata through this interface. The system includes automated data validation and data preview features, uses standardized drop-down lists to ensure data consistency, and offers comprehensive help functionality to guide users throughout the data submission process.

Download official GTN-P data products

GTN-P offers pre-compiled data products for download, containing all the data available in the GTN-P database. These data products are available for different regions and in different formats. Products are updated yearly and come with Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) for easy citation.

Please note: We are currently calling for active data contribution to the GTN-P database. Once sufficient new data has been collected and quality-checked, the data products will be made available on the GTN-P Data Platform.

Data Policy

The GTN-P Data Platform makes scientific permafrost data openly available to advance global scientific understanding and collaboration. All data made available through the GTN-P Data Platform are provided under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License, unless otherwise specified. This license allows users to share (copy and redistribute) and adapt (remix, transform, and build upon) the data for any purpose, even commercially, provided that appropriate credit is given to the original data providers.

For detailed information on data usage, citation requirements, and any specific conditions, please refer to the GTN-P Data Policy available at https://data.gtn-p.org/data-policy.

Permafrost ECV data profile (NetCDF)

True data interoperability (the “I” in FAIR) requires standardized data formats. To support the standardization of permafrost Essential Climate Variable (ECV) data, a group of data experts is currently developing a NetCDF profile based on the Climate and Forecast (CF) conventions. This work is carried out under the umbrella of the WMO Global Cryosphere Watch (GCW), the WMO Information System (WIS2), and the WMO Integrated Global Observing System (WIGOS).

A draft of the standard is expected to be made available to the scientific community for review in 2026.