Climate averages
Long-term averages
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) requires the calculation of averages for consecutive periods of 30 years, with the latest covering the 1961–1990 period. However, many WMO members, including the UK, update their averages at the completion of each decade. Thirty years was chosen as a period long enough to eliminate year-to-year variations.
The latest set of 30-year averages on the website covers the period 1971-2000.
Q: When will the next set of 30-year averages, covering the 1981–2010 period, become available?
A: We aim to have the next set of 30-year averages, covering the 1981–2010 period, available as part of the new Met Office website in Spring 2012. Calculation of the new 1981–2010 averages represents a significant volume of work.
- 1981–2010 averages for individual weather stations will be calculated once all station data up to and including December 2010 has been received by the Met Office and quality controlled by our team in Edinburgh.
- Once these station averages have been calculated, we will then generate 1981–2010 gridded data sets.
- This will enable the production of maps and areal statistics for the UK, districts and regions which appear on these pages.
These averages help to describe the climate and are used as a base to which current conditions can be compared. Use the links below to see a selection of station, district and regional averages or UK and regional maps for a wide range of weather elements.
Station, district and regional averages 1971–2000
Station, district and regional averages 1961–1990
How the averages were generated
Download a description of the analysis methods used to generate the long-term averages.Climate estimates
Additional station data, the actual gridded data and estimates for any UK location, and any associated charges, can be obtained by contacting our 24-hour Customer Centre.
