Such data can be useful for a variety of purposes:

• Route development and route clearance, i.e. the likelihood of operating minima being exceeded.
• New departure or destination airport analysis, i.e. likelihood of aircraft icing overnight, landing approach direction and go-around probability.
• Weight and balance decision-making
• Fuel loads
• Publication on customer-facing websites.

Whether you require daily, monthly or annual records, we can provide quality controlled data for a variety of stations around the UK and beyond.

Types of data

A comprehensive range of historical weather variables are available direct from the Met Office, which may be presented and analysed in a number of ways. We recommend any analysis is based on at least ten years of data. Information available includes:

• Cloud base
• Visibility
• Wind direction or speed, e.g. mean speed, highest hourly mean, highest gust
• Temperature, e.g. maximum and minimum - absolute, means, lowest and highest
• Precipitation, e.g. averages, wettest, driest
• Frost, snow, thunder, hail, fog
• Meteorological airfield reports

Climate summaries: means and extremes

A comprehensive annual, monthly, hourly or daily climate summary for 10 years or more presented in a clear and simple table. Extreme value analysis for various elements are also available.

Wind rose

Annual or monthly graphical representation showing the relationship between the frequency and speed of wind from compass point directions. By showing you the prevailing wind at each site, the wind rose shows how often problems with crosswinds are likely to occur, on average. Gust maps and maximum gust analysis are also available.

Frequency analysis

Frequency and percentage occasions for customer specified variables and each month or day, e.g. 3/8th significant cloud less than 300 and 1000 ft; visibility less than 5000 m.

Standard Deviation and Post Event analysis

Actual weather data to compare against the forecast; and statistical records for particular weather variables.

Charts and graphs

At a glance climate data - some of which are available free of charge via our Aviation briefing service. The statistics used are derived from weather observations made over a number of years by meteorological observers at each airfield. Graphs of averages are then produced which help you understand the data.

General monthly summary

Basic summary of daily weather conditions by calendar month, including monthly long-term averages. These reports are ideal for assessing how different weather events have affected various activities. Elements covered are: temperature (maximum and minimum); rainfall; wind (average and maximum gust); sunshine; significant weather - days when thunderstorms, hail, fog, snow or gales were reported.

Downtime summaries

A summary of the previous months' (hourly, 0700-1700) weather conditions, with comparisons against long-term averages. A fast, easy and cost-effective way to access invaluable data for monitoring construction site progress and settling contractual disputes.

For more information about our aviation services, please contact our 24-hour Customer Centre or email: aviation@metoffice.gov.uk

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