DWD Explorer – German Climate Data

Interactive explorer for Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) OpenData. Visualize German climate data from 10-minute observations to annual station summaries.

DWD OpenData Overview

This independent explorer visualizes the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) OpenData archive, providing comprehensive meteorological data and meteorological observations from across Germany. This explorable dataset offers high-quality, high-resolution historical and near real-time measurements of air temperature, precipitation, wind speed/direction, and solar radiation.

By visualizing this data, researchers and weather enthusiasts can analyze local climate variability, track historical weather trends, and monitor current conditions with precision. The data supports granular temporal analysis, ranging from 10-minute and hourly observations to daily, monthly, and annual climatological summaries.

Use the interactive explorer

Looking for Europe-wide hourly data?

For Europe-wide near real-time hourly observations, use the EuroMeteo Explorer.

About this Data

This dashboard visualizes high-resolution meteorological records from the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD), Germany’s National Meteorological Service. Established as one of the world’s most reliable weather monitoring networks, the DWD provides an extensive archive of open data that is essential for climate research, renewable energy planning, and agricultural analysis.

Unlike standard weather apps that only show current conditions, the Climate Explorer DWD interface grants you direct access to the raw scientific measurements. This includes:

  • Air Temperature: Precise readings for analyzing heatwaves, frost events, and long-term warming trends.
  • Precipitation: Detailed accumulation data (rain/snow) crucial for hydrological modeling and flood risk assessment.
  • Wind Speed & Direction: Vital for wind energy potential assessment and understanding storm dynamics.
  • Solar Radiation: Global radiation data supporting the solar energy sector.

Unique Value: 10-Minute Resolution

A standout feature of this dataset is the availability of 10-minute temporal resolution. While most global datasets aggregate weather into hourly or daily averages, the DWD’s 10-minute fidelity allows you to capture rapid fluctuation events—such as sudden convective storms, squall lines, or flash freeze conditions—that are often lost in lower-resolution data. This granularity is particularly valuable for:

  1. Urban Planning: Understanding microclimates and drainage requirements.
  2. Renewable Energy: Managing grid stability with precise solar/wind ramping data.
  3. Academic Research: validating high-resolution climate models.

How to use this tool

To get the most out of the DWD Climate Explorer:

  1. Select a Station: Use the interactive Map to click on any marker, or use the “Find Station” dropdown (grouped by Bundesland/State) to locate specific cities like Berlin, Munich, or Hamburg.
  2. Choose Resolution: Toggle between 10 Minutes, Hourly, Daily, Monthly, and Annual using the sidebar timeline selector. This instantly updates all visualizations.
  3. Analyze Trends: The Dashboard tab generates dynamic plots for your selected time range. Zoom in on specific weeks to investigate extreme weather events.
  4. Download Data: Use the Data tab to view and export the raw observations for your own external analysis.
Data Resolution Options

This explorer supports 10 Minutes, Hourly, Daily, Monthly, and Annual data resolutions. Use the Time Resolution toggle in the sidebar to switch between modes. The selected resolution affects both the visualized plots and data exports.

Need more help? View the full DWD User Guide for detailed instructions.

Data source

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DWD OpenData portal?

The Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) is Germany’s national meteorological service. It provides one of the most comprehensive open-access weather and climate databases in Europe, containing historical and near real-time observations from thousands of monitoring stations across the country.

How does 10-minute resolution data help?

Unlike standard hourly or daily averages, 10-minute data captures rapid meteorological changes. This high-frequency data is invaluable for analyzing short-lived extreme weather events (like sudden squalls or flash floods), evaluating solar energy ramping, and validating high-resolution climate models.

Is the DWD data free to use?

Yes. The DWD publishes this data freely under its open data policy for research, commercial, and personal use. This explorer visualizes the official public release without modification.

What is the difference between global radiation and diffuse radiation?

Global radiation is the total amount of shortwave solar energy reaching the ground. It is composed of direct radiation (sunlight arriving in a straight line from the sun) and diffuse radiation (sunlight scattered by clouds or the atmosphere). DWD sensors measure these components, which is critical for solar power forecasting.

Can I download the raw German climate data?

Absolutely. After selecting a station and configuring your date range, navigate to the Data tab on the Dashboard and click the export button to download the observations as a CSV file.