Bulk Data Download Information

Important Note Regarding Automated Data Downloads
PRISM bulk download systems (FTP, web services) facilitate automated fetching of PRISM datasets. It is important to note that preliminary data fetched in this manner do not account for the fact that we produce 8 versions of a daily grid (and 7 versions of a monthly grid), out to six months, at which point we call it "final." Much can change across these versions, as we receive more weather station data and subject the grids to more rigorous QC screening routines. We do provide, via web services, utilities for determining when a PRISM grid was last updated.

Here are resources to learn more about this: PRISM Data Update Schedule (PDF file) PRISM Update Calendar (web page)


  • FTP Access:  View FTP Documentation (.pdf)
    • Quick instructions:  Connect your FTP client software to prism.oregonstate.edu (no username or password required)
    • Note that we also make our FTP server content viewable via web browsers via this data directory: https://data.prism.oregonstate.edu

  • Web Services Access:  View Web Services Documentation (.pdf)
    • PRISM web services enable direct https requests (often via scripts written in Python or other languages) for PRISM grids.