A methodology has been developed that uses data obtained from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) to determine if climate observation stations are located in urban, rural, or other environments. The designations are based on thresholds of the DMSP-OLS data, in combination with local and regional samples of the data around the stations. This urban/rural designation of the stations, based on the remotely sensed data, appears to be an improvement over previous designations based on maps and population data.