The UK daily temperature data contain maximum and minimum temperatures (air, grass and concrete slab) measured over a period of up to 24 hours. The measurements were recorded by observation stations operated by the Met Office across the UK and transmitted within NCM, DLY3208 or AWSDLY messages. The data span from 1853 to 2023. For details on measurement techniques, including calibration information and changes in measurements, see section 5.2 of the MIDAS User Guide linked to from this record. Soil temperature data may be found in the UK soil temperature datasets linked from this record.

This version supersedes the previous version of this dataset and a change log is available in the archive, and in the linked documentation for this record, detailing the differences between this version and the previous version. The change logs detail new, replaced and removed data. These include the addition of data for calendar year 2023.

This dataset is part of the Midas-open dataset collection made available by the Met Office under the UK Open Government Licence, containing only UK mainland land surface observations owned or operated by the Met Office. It is a subset of the fuller, restricted Met Office Integrated Data Archive System (MIDAS) Land and Marine Surface Stations dataset, also available through the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis - see the related dataset section on this record. Currently this represents approximately 95% of available daily temperature observations within the full MIDAS collection.

The highest average temperature recorded in 2024 until November was in August, at 16.8 degrees Celsius. Since 2015, the highest average daily temperature in the UK was registered in July 2018, at 18.7 degrees Celsius. The summer of 2018 was the joint hottest since institutions began recording temperatures in 1910. One noticeable anomaly during this period was in December 2015, when the average daily temperature reached 9.5 degrees Celsius. This month also experienced the highest monthly rainfall in the UK since before 2014, with England, Wales, and Scotland suffering widespread flooding. Daily hours of sunshine Unsurprisingly, the heat wave that spread across the British Isles in 2018 was the result of particularly sunny weather. July 2018 saw an average of 8.7 daily sun hours in the United Kingdom. This was more hours of sun than was recorded in July 2024, which only saw 5.8 hours of sun. Temperatures are on the rise Since the 1960s, there has been an increase in regional temperatures across the UK. Between 1961 and 1990, temperatures in England averaged nine degrees Celsius, and from 2013 to 2022, average temperatures in the country had increased to 10.3 degrees Celsius. Due to its relatively southern location, England continues to rank as the warmest country in the UK.

Monthly Historical information for 37 UK Meteorological Stations. Most go back to the early 1900s, but some go back as far as 1853.

Data includes:

• Mean maximum temperature (tmax)
• Mean minimum temperature (tmin)
• Days of air frost (af)
• Total rainfall (rain)
• Total sunshine duration (sun)

Station data files are updated on a rolling monthly basis, around 10 days after the end of the month. Data are indicated as provisional until the full network quality control has been carried out. After this, data are final.

No allowances have been made for small site changes and developments in instrumentation.

Data and statistics for other stations, and associated charges, can be obtained by contacting our Customer Centre.

The UK hourly weather observation data contain meteorological values measured on an hourly time scale. The measurements of the concrete state, wind speed and direction, cloud type and amount, visibility, and temperature were recorded by observation stations operated by the Met Office across the UK and transmitted within SYNOP, DLY3208, AWSHRLY and NCM messages. The sunshine duration measurements were transmitted in the HSUN3445 message. The data spans from 1875 to 2023.

This version supersedes the previous version of this dataset and a change log is available in the archive, and in the linked documentation for this record, detailing the differences between this version and the previous version. The change logs detail new, replaced and removed data. These include the addition of data for calendar year 2023.

For details on observing practice see the message type information in the MIDAS User Guide linked from this record and relevant sections for parameter types.

This dataset is part of the Midas-open dataset collection made available by the Met Office under the UK Open Government Licence, containing only UK mainland land surface observations owned or operated by Met Office. It is a subset of the fuller, restricted Met Office Integrated Data Archive System (MIDAS) Land and Marine Surface Stations dataset, also available through the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis - see the related dataset section on this record. Note, METAR message types are not included in the Open version of this dataset. Those data may be accessed via the full MIDAS hourly weather data.

Datamarket closure

As Microsoft have announced that they are shutting down their DataMarket service, the API access currently at https://datamarket.azure.com/dataset/datagovuk/metofficeweatheropendata will no longer be available after March 31st 2017.

The interface gives access to three datasets, hourly observations for approximately 150 UK observing stations, daily site specific and 3 hourly site specific forecasts for approximately 5000 UK locations.

Both the 3 hourly and daily forecast datasets provide forecasts out to 5 days with updates issued hourly.

Daily forecasts provide data for day and night using the following data time intervals.

· Weather symbols: Day – Sunrise to sunset, Night Sunset to Sunrise

· Temperature: Max – Maximum during 0600-18:00, Minimum during 18:00-06:00

· All other parameters are calculated for midday or midnight.

Hourly observation reports as recorded in real time by the Met Office UK Monitoring System. It should be noted that sites will only report parameters based on the instrumentation installed at each site and we only make available those parameters published on the Met Office website. Observations are subject to final quality control by the Met Office after publication by data.gov.uk, any changes made will not be retrospectively applied to this dataset.

The Chancellor's Autumn Statement 2011 announced that this release is open (OGL) and unrestricted (bulk download API): https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/61959/Further_detail_on_Open_Data_measures_in_the_Autumn_Statement_2011.pdf which is different to the access provided by the Met Office directly.

The daily average temperature in the United Kingdom (UK) has remained relatively stable since 2001, with temperatures rarely straying below 10 degrees Celsius. In 2024, the UK had an average daily temperature of 11.9 degrees Celsius. This was the highest average daily temperature recorded since the turn of the century. British summertime Britain is not known for its blisteringly hot summer months, with the average temperatures in this season varying greatly since 1990. In 1993, the average summer temperature was as low as 13.39 degrees Celsius, whilst 2018 saw a peak of 15.8 degrees Celsius. In that same year, the highest mean temperature occurred in July at 17.2 degrees Celsius. Variable weather Due to its location and the fact that it is an island, the United Kingdom experiences a diverse range of weather, sometimes in the same day. It is in an area where five air masses meet, creating a weather front. Each brings different weather conditions, such as hot, dry air from North Africa and wet and cold air from the Arctic. Temperatures across the UK tend to be warmest in England.

The highest average temperatures in the United Kingdom are typically recorded in the third quarter of the year. Since 2010, the highest quarterly temperature was recorded in the third quarter of 2022, at 17 degrees Celsius.

WeatherDataAI Single-Point is a simple yet powerful tool for accessing global historical weather data with just a few clicks. Users select the weather variable(s) they need (like temperature, precipitation, etc.), choose the years of interest, and click a location on the interactive map. The platform automatically fetches the data, creates a custom CSV file, and provides a download link while also emailing the file directly to the user. No technical skills required — it’s built for researchers, businesses, and curious minds who need fast, accurate weather insights without coding or complex interfaces.

The UK daily rainfall data contain rainfall accumulation and precipitation amounts over a 24 hour period. The data were collected by observation stations operated by the Met Office across the UK and transmitted within the following message types: NCM, AWSDLY, DLY3208 and SSER. The data spans from 1853 to 2018. Over time a range of rain gauges have been used - see section 5.6 and the relevant message type information in the linked MIDAS User Guide for further details. This version supersedes the previous version of this dataset and a change log is available in the archive, and in the linked documentation for this record, detailing the differences between this version and the previous version. The change logs detail new, replaced and removed data. This dataset is part of the Midas-open dataset collection made available by the Met Office under the UK Open Government Licence, containing only UK mainland land surface observations owned or operated by Met Office. It is a subset of the fuller, restricted Met Office Integrated Data Archive System (MIDAS) Land and Marine Surface Stations dataset, also available through the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis - see the related dataset section on this record. A large proportion of the UK raingauge observing network (associated with WAHRAIN, WADRAIN and WAMRAIN for hourly, daily and monthly rainfall measurements respectively) is operated by other agencies beyond the Met Office, and are consequently currently excluded from the Midas-open dataset. Currently this represents approximately 13% of available daily rainfall observations within the full MIDAS collection.

Daily weather data measured in Caldicot, Wales from January 2017 to March 2020. The weather data was collected using a WS-GP1 weather station supplied by Delta-T Devices Ltd, Cambridge, UK. The data were collected to provide potential evaporative drying and rainfall for (i) a wall capillary uptake model and (ii) a soil water balance model. The measurements include daily maximum temperature (°C), minimum temperature (°C), maximum relative humidity (%), minimum relative humidity (%), wind speed (m/s), rainfall (mm) and radiation (kw/m2).

The annual mean temperature in the United Kingdom has fluctuated greatly since 1990. Temperatures during this period were at their highest in 2022, surpassing 10 degrees Celsius. In 2010, the mean annual temperature stood at 7.94 degrees, the lowest recorded during this time. Daily temperatures Average daily temperatures have remained stable since the turn of the century, rarely dropping below 10 degrees Celsius. In 2010, they dropped to a low of nine degrees Celsius. The peak average daily temperature was recorded in 2022 when it reached 11.2 degrees. This was an increase of one degree Celsius compared to the long-term mean, and the most positive deviation during the period of consideration. Highs and lows The maximum average temperature recorded across the UK since 2015 was in July 2018. This month saw a maximum temperature of 22.6 degrees Celsius. In comparison, the lowest monthly minimum temperature was in February of the same year, at just minus 0.6 degrees. This was an especially cold February, as the previous year the minimum temperature for this month was 2.6 degrees.

Temperature in the United Kingdom increased to 10.14 celsius in 2023 from 10.13 celsius in 2022. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United Kingdom Average Temperature.

This data set was created using data from Copernicus for MEI's Big Earth Data Project.

MEI has developed resources to help students develop skills in exploring large Earth observation datasets while teaching them about the measurements satellites can take.

There are three sets of resources covering the ozone layer, climate change and flooding risks.

This dataset and associated Shiny App (https://scotland.shinyapps.io/sg-srtmn-data/) were developed to allow users to visualise quality controlled data from standing waters monitored as part of the UK Upland Waters Monitoring Network (UWMN). The UWMN was initially established as the UK Acid Water Monitoring Network (UKAWMN) in 1988 to provide information on status and trends in the chemistry and biology of upland waters in response to atmospheric deposition of acidifying pollutants. In recent years the network was diversified and is a valuable resource for understanding the effects of multiple stressors on upland freshwater environments, including climate change. Continuous temperature monitoring was added to the network to support this broader remit and includes monitoring of loch temperatures at a range of depths. Information on the UWMN can be found here: http://uwmn.defra.gov.uk/ Collaborators: Many collaborators have facilitated, funded or contributed data to the UWMN. This includes; Environmental Change Research Centre, Department of Geography, University College London (UCL), Marine Scotland Science Freshwater Fisheries Laboratory (MSS-FFL), Environmental Scientific Services (ENSIS) trust fund, UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), The Forestry Commission, Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Natural History Museum London, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, The Department of the Environment, Northern Ireland, The Environment Agency, The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, The Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, Welsh Government Full details of UKUWMN collaborators can be found here: http://uwmn.defra.gov.uk/sponsors/sponsors.php R Shiny App to explore data: https://scotland.shinyapps.io/sg-srtmn-data/

Licence information and source

The MET Office copyright policy can be found at: [https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/legal#licences] Data source from: [https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/research/climate/maps-and-data/historic-station-data]

Cover image: [https://pixabay.com/photos/scarborough-sunrise-seascape-2850597/]

About London London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, located in the southeast part of the country. It is a global city and a major center for finance, commerce, culture, and tourism. With a population of over 8 million people, it is the most populous city in the UK and one of the largest cities in Europe. London is famous for its iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, the Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, and the London Eye, as well as its world-renowned museums, art galleries, theaters, and restaurants. The city is also known for its diverse population and multicultural atmosphere, with over 300 languages spoken within its borders.

About Dataset This dataset contains daily weather observations for London, UK from January 1, 2000 to January 1, 2023. The data is collected from Meteostat. The dataset contains 10 columns with 8402 rows.

The UK daily weather observation data contain meteorological values measured on a 24 hour time scale. The measurements of sunshine duration, concrete state, snow depth, fresh snow depth, and days of snow, hail, thunder and gail were attained by observation stations operated by the Met Office across the UK operated and transmitted within DLY3208, NCM, AWSDLY and SYNOP messages. The data span from 1887 to 2023. For details of observations see the relevant sections of the MIDAS User Guide linked from this record for the various message types.

This version supersedes the previous version of this dataset and a change log is available in the archive, and in the linked documentation for this record, detailing the differences between this version and the previous version. The change logs detail new, replaced and removed data. These include the addition of data for calendar year 2023.

This dataset is part of the Midas-open dataset collection made available by the Met Office under the UK Open Government Licence, containing only UK mainland land surface observations owned or operated by the Met Office. It is a subset of the fuller, restricted Met Office Integrated Data Archive System (MIDAS) Land and Marine Surface Stations dataset, also available through the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis - see the related dataset section on this record. Currently this represents approximately 95% of available daily weather observations within the full MIDAS collection.

Continuous dataset collection since 2014 through Urban Observatory (UO) sensors. The data covers the geographical area of the North East of England centred on Newcastle upon Tyne (for geographical extent and location of sensors see http://uoweb1.ncl.ac.uk). Data is collected from a variety of sensor platforms with different performance metrics, sampling regimes and sensitivity levels. Information on individual sensors should be consulted before use at http://uoweb1.ncl.ac.uk. Data can be downloaded or accessed via a REST API at http://uoweb1.ncl.ac.uk. Weather metrics include: Rain Int, Solar Radiation, Max Wind Speed, Rain Acc, Humidity, Pressure, Temperature, Wind Direction, Daily Accumulation Rainfall, Visibility, Wind Speed, Wind Gust, Rainfall

These daily and monthly temperatures are representative of a roughly triangular area of the United Kingdom enclosed by Preston, London and Bristol. The monthly series, which begins in 1659, is the longest available instrumental record of temperature in the world. The daily series begins in 1772.

Manley (1953,1974) compiled most of the monthly series, covering 1659 to 1973. These data were updated to 1991 by Parker et al (1992), when they calculated the daily series. Both series are now kept up to date by the Climate Data Monitoring section of the Hadley Centre, Met Office. Since 1974 the data have been adjusted to allow for urban warming.

The UK Meteorological Office have also been compiling Maximum, Minimum and Mean daily Central England temperatures data files since January 1998.

[Summary Extracted from the BADC Home Page]