UK weather stations report a mixture of snapshot hourly observations
of the weather known as synoptic observations, and daily summaries
of the weather known as climate observations.
For instance, hourly temperature is a synoptic element, but daily
maximum and minimum temperature are climate elements; cloud is
synoptic but sunshine is climate. The climate observations are
made at 0900 in winter, 1000 in summer, with some sites making
a further observation at 2100, 2200 in summer.
A few sites send in hourly climatic observations. Observations
from around 200 UK synoptic stations are collected in real time;
climate data from synoptic stations also comes in straight after
readings are taken. However, climate observations from several
hundred co-operating observers come in as collectives at the end
of the month. All climate stations record daily maximum and minimum
air temperature and rainfall amount, recorded over the period
0900-0900 period (1000-1000 in summer).
Many observe additional elements. The representativity of urban
observations to the surrounding urban area can be difficult to
judge, and so their data need to be used with caution. Some observations
in urban areas are made on roof tops.
To view the current network of UK synoptic and
climate stations please select a region on the map.
