DWD User Guide

Comprehensive user guide for the DWD Explorer, detailing how to navigate the map, filter German stations, and visualize high-resolution weather data.

Access the Application: Return to Explorer

1. Introduction

The DWD Explorer is an interactive dashboard for exploring open data from Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD). It allows you to visualize high-quality meteorological records from stations across Germany, including air temperature, precipitation, wind, and solar radiation, available in 10-minute, hourly, daily, and monthly resolutions.

If you need Europe-wide near real-time hourly observations, use the EuroMeteo Explorer for cross-country coverage.

3. Direct Data Download

Advanced users can download data directly from the DWD OpenData server without using the application interface. This is useful for automated scripts or bulk downloading.

  • Base URL: https://opendata.dwd.de/climate_environment/CDC/observations_germany/climate/
  • Structure: The data is organized by resolution and parameter: [resolution]/[parameter]/[recent|historical]/

Example 1: Hourly Air Temperature

To download recent hourly air temperature data for a specific station, construct the URL using the Station ID found in the Stations Info table.

Example 2: Monthly Climate Data

To download monthly climate data (temperature, precipitation, wind, clouds, sunshine), use the kl parameter:

5. Parameter Reference

The following tables list the parameters available in the DWD Explorer for each resolution. These parameters correspond to the column names in the exported CSV files.

10-Minute Parameters

Column Name Definition Unit
datetime Observation Timestamp UTC
temp Air Temperature (2m) °C
temp_min Minimum Air Temperature (2m) °C
temp_max Maximum Air Temperature (2m) °C
temp_5cm Air Temperature (5cm) °C
rh Relative Humidity %
dew_point Dew Point Temperature °C
station_pressure Air Pressure (Station Level) hPa
wind_speed Wind Speed m/s
wind_dir Wind Direction degrees
wind_gust_max Maximum Wind Gust m/s
wind_gust_min Minimum Wind Gust m/s
precip Precipitation Height mm
precip_duration Precipitation Duration min
precip_ind Precipitation Indicator Code
solar_global Global Radiation J/cm²
diffuse_radiation Diffuse Radiation J/cm²
longwave_radiation Longwave Radiation J/cm²
sunshine_duration Sunshine Duration min

Hourly Parameters

Column Name Definition Unit
datetime Observation Timestamp UTC
temp Air Temperature (2m) °C
dew_point Dew Point Temperature °C
rh Relative Humidity %
abs_humidity Absolute Humidity g/m³
vapor_pressure Vapor Pressure hPa
wet_bulb_temp Wet Bulb Temperature °C
pressure Air Pressure (Sea Level) hPa
station_pressure Air Pressure (Station Level) hPa
wind_speed Wind Speed m/s
wind_dir Wind Direction degrees
wind_gust_max Maximum Wind Gust m/s
precip Precipitation Height mm
cloud_cover Total Cloud Cover octas (0-8)
cloud_cover_indicator Cloud Cover Indicator Code
visibility Visibility m
visibility_indicator Visibility Indicator Code
solar_global Global Radiation J/cm²
sunshine_duration Sunshine Duration min
precip_net_thunderstorm Precip Network: Thunderstorm Indicator boolean/code
precip_net_graupel Precip Network: Graupel Indicator boolean/code
precip_net_hail Precip Network: Hail Indicator boolean/code
precip_net_fog Precip Network: Fog Indicator boolean/code
weather_code Current Weather Code (WW) Code (WMO)
weather_text Current Weather Text String
cloud_layer1_code Cloud Layer 1 Type/Genus Code
cloud_layer1_abbrev Cloud Layer 1 Abbreviation String
cloud_layer1_height Cloud Layer 1 Height m
cloud_layer1_amount Cloud Layer 1 Amount octas
cloud_layer2_code Cloud Layer 2 Type/Genus Code
cloud_layer2_abbrev Cloud Layer 2 Abbreviation String
cloud_layer2_height Cloud Layer 2 Height m
cloud_layer2_amount Cloud Layer 2 Amount octas
cloud_layer3_code Cloud Layer 3 Type/Genus Code
cloud_layer3_abbrev Cloud Layer 3 Abbreviation String
cloud_layer3_height Cloud Layer 3 Height m
cloud_layer3_amount Cloud Layer 3 Amount octas
cloud_layer4_code Cloud Layer 4 Type/Genus Code
cloud_layer4_abbrev Cloud Layer 4 Abbreviation String
cloud_layer4_height Cloud Layer 4 Height m
cloud_layer4_amount Cloud Layer 4 Amount octas
soil_temp_2cm Soil Temperature (2cm depth) °C
soil_temp_5cm Soil Temperature (5cm depth) °C
soil_temp_10cm Soil Temperature (10cm depth) °C
soil_temp_20cm Soil Temperature (20cm depth) °C
soil_temp_50cm Soil Temperature (50cm depth) °C
soil_temp_100cm Soil Temperature (1m depth) °C

Daily Parameters

Column Name Definition Unit
datetime Observation Timestamp UTC
temp Mean Air Temperature °C
temp_min Minimum Air Temperature °C
temp_max Maximum Air Temperature °C
rh Mean Relative Humidity %
pressure Mean Pressure hPa
cloud_cover Mean Cloud Cover octas
precip Total Precipitation mm
wind_speed Mean Wind Speed m/s
wind_gust_max Max Wind Gust m/s
sunshine_duration Total Sunshine Duration hours
solar_global Global Radiation J/cm²
soil_temp_2cm Soil Temperature (2cm) °C
soil_temp_5cm Soil Temperature (5cm) °C
soil_temp_10cm Soil Temperature (10cm) °C
soil_temp_20cm Soil Temperature (20cm) °C
soil_temp_50cm Soil Temperature (50cm) °C
soil_temp_100cm Soil Temperature (1m) °C
snow_depth Snow Depth cm
snow_water_equiv Snow Water Equivalent mm
thunderstorm Thunderstorm Indicator boolean
glaze Glaze Indicator boolean
graupel Graupel Indicator boolean
hail Hail Indicator boolean
fog Fog Indicator boolean
frost Frost Indicator boolean
storm_6 Storm (Force 6+) Indicator boolean
storm_8 Storm (Force 8+) Indicator boolean
dew Dew Indicator boolean

Monthly Parameters

Column Name Definition Unit
datetime Observation Timestamp UTC
temp Mean Air Temperature °C
temp_max Absolute Maximum Temperature °C
temp_min Absolute Minimum Temperature °C
temp_max_avg Average Daily Maximum °C
temp_min_avg Average Daily Minimum °C
precip Total Precipitation mm
sunshine_duration Total Sunshine Duration hours
cloud_cover Mean Cloud Cover octas
wind_speed Mean Wind Speed m/s
wind_gust_max Max Wind Gust m/s
snow_fresh_sum Sum of Fresh Snow cm
snow_depth_sum Sum of Snow Depth cm
thunderstorm Thunderstorm Indicator boolean
glaze Glaze Indicator boolean
graupel Graupel Indicator boolean
hail Hail Indicator boolean
fog Fog Indicator boolean
frost Frost Indicator boolean
storm_6 Storm (Force 6+) Indicator boolean
storm_8 Storm (Force 8+) Indicator boolean
dew Dew Indicator boolean

6. Code Reference

Cloud Genus (cloud_layer1_code to cloud_layer4_code)

Code Genus Abbreviation
0 Cirrus Ci
1 Cirrocumulus Cc
2 Cirrostratus Cs
3 Altocumulus Ac
4 Altostratus As
5 Nimbostratus Ns
6 Stratocumulus Sc
7 Stratus St
8 Cumulus Cu
9 Cumulonimbus Cb

Current Weather Codes (WMO 4677 - weather_code)

Code Description
00-19 No precipitation, fog, ice fog, duststorm, sandstorm, drifting or blowing snow at the station at the time of observation or, except for 09 and 17, during the preceding hour
00 Cloud development not observed or not observable
01 Clouds generally dissolving or becoming less developed
02 State of sky on the whole unchanged
03 Clouds generally forming or developing
04 Visibility reduced by smoke, e.g. veldt or forest fires, industrial smoke or volcanic ashes
05 Haze
06 Widespread dust in suspension in the air, not raised by wind at or near the station at the time of observation
07 Dust or sand raised by wind at or near the station at the time of observation, but no well developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s), and no duststorm or sandstorm seen
08 Well developed dust whirl(s) or sand whirl(s) seen at or near the station during the preceding hour or at the time of observation, but no duststorm or sandstorm
09 Duststorm or sandstorm within sight at the time of observation, or at the station during the preceding hour
10 Mist
11 Patches of shallow fog or ice fog at the station, whether on land or sea, not deeper than about 2 metres on land or 10 metres at sea
12 More or less continuous shallow fog or ice fog at the station, whether on land or sea, not deeper than about 2 metres on land or 10 metres at sea
13 Lightning visible, no thunder heard
14 Precipitation within sight, not reaching the ground or the surface of the sea
15 Precipitation within sight, reaching the ground or the surface of the sea, but distant, i.e. estimated to be more than 5 km from the station
16 Precipitation within sight, reaching the ground or the surface of the sea, near to, but not at the station
17 Thunderstorm, but no precipitation at the time of observation
18 Squalls at or within sight of the station during the preceding hour or at the time of observation
19 Funnel cloud(s) (tornado cloud or water-spout) at or within sight of the station during the preceding hour or at the time of observation
20-29 Precipitation, fog, ice fog or thunderstorm at the station during the preceding hour but not at the time of observation
20 Drizzle (not freezing) or snow grains not falling as shower(s)
21 Rain (not freezing) not falling as shower(s)
22 Snow not falling as shower(s)
23 Rain and snow or ice pellets not falling as shower(s)
24 Freezing drizzle or freezing rain not falling as shower(s)
25 Shower(s) of rain
26 Shower(s) of snow, or of rain and snow
27 Shower(s) of hail, or of rain and hail
28 Fog or ice fog
29 Thunderstorm (with or without precipitation)
30-39 Duststorm, sandstorm, drifting or blowing snow
30 Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm - has decreased during the preceding hour
31 Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm - no appreciable change during the preceding hour
32 Slight or moderate duststorm or sandstorm - has begun or has increased during the preceding hour
33 Severe duststorm or sandstorm - has decreased during the preceding hour
34 Severe duststorm or sandstorm - no appreciable change during the preceding hour
35 Severe duststorm or sandstorm - has begun or has increased during the preceding hour
36 Slight or moderate blowing snow generally low (below eye level)
37 Heavy drifting snow generally low (below eye level)
38 Slight or moderate blowing snow generally high (above eye level)
39 Heavy drifting snow generally high (above eye level)
40-49 Fog or ice fog at the time of observation
40 Fog or ice fog at a distance at the time of observation, but not at the station during the preceding hour, the fog or ice fog extending to a level above that of the observer
41 Fog or ice fog in patches
42 Fog or ice fog, sky visible, has become thinner during the preceding hour
43 Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, has become thinner during the preceding hour
44 Fog or ice fog, sky visible, no appreciable change during the preceding hour
45 Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, no appreciable change during the preceding hour
46 Fog or ice fog, sky visible, has begun or has become thicker during the preceding hour
47 Fog or ice fog, sky invisible, has begun or has become thicker during the preceding hour
48 Fog, depositing rime, sky visible
49 Fog, depositing rime, sky invisible
50-59 Drizzle
50 Drizzle, not freezing, intermittent, slight at time of observation
51 Drizzle, not freezing, continuous, slight at time of observation
52 Drizzle, not freezing, intermittent, moderate at time of observation
53 Drizzle, not freezing, continuous, moderate at time of observation
54 Drizzle, not freezing, intermittent, heavy (dense) at time of observation
55 Drizzle, not freezing, continuous, heavy (dense) at time of observation
56 Drizzle, freezing, slight
57 Drizzle, freezing, moderate or heavy (dense)
58 Drizzle and rain, slight
59 Drizzle and rain, moderate or heavy
60-69 Rain
60 Rain, not freezing, intermittent, slight at time of observation
61 Rain, not freezing, continuous, slight at time of observation
62 Rain, not freezing, intermittent, moderate at time of observation
63 Rain, not freezing, continuous, moderate at time of observation
64 Rain, not freezing, intermittent, heavy at time of observation
65 Rain, not freezing, continuous, heavy at time of observation
66 Rain, freezing, slight
67 Rain, freezing, moderate or heavy (dense)
68 Rain or drizzle and snow, slight
69 Rain or drizzle and snow, moderate or heavy
70-79 Solid precipitation not in showers
70 Intermittent fall of snowflakes, slight at time of observation
71 Continuous fall of snowflakes, slight at time of observation
72 Intermittent fall of snowflakes, moderate at time of observation
73 Continuous fall of snowflakes, moderate at time of observation
74 Intermittent fall of snowflakes, heavy at time of observation
75 Continuous fall of snowflakes, heavy at time of observation
76 Diamond dust (with or without fog)
77 Snow grains (with or without fog)
78 Isolated star-like snow crystals (with or without fog)
79 Ice pellets
80-99 Showery precipitation, or precipitation with current or recent thunderstorm
80 Rain shower(s), slight
81 Rain shower(s), moderate or heavy
82 Rain shower(s), violent
83 Shower(s) of rain and snow mixed, slight
84 Shower(s) of rain and snow mixed, moderate or heavy
85 Snow shower(s), slight
86 Snow shower(s), moderate or heavy
87 Shower(s) of snow pellets or small hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed, slight
88 Shower(s) of snow pellets or small hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed, moderate or heavy
89 Shower(s) of hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed, not associated with thunder, slight
90 Shower(s) of hail, with or without rain or rain and snow mixed, not associated with thunder, moderate or heavy
91 Slight rain at time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
92 Moderate or heavy rain at time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
93 Slight snow, or rain and snow mixed or hail at time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
94 Moderate or heavy snow, or rain and snow mixed or hail at time of observation, thunderstorm during the preceding hour but not at time of observation
95 Thunderstorm, slight or moderate, without hail but with rain and/or snow at time of observation
96 Thunderstorm, slight or moderate, with hail at time of observation
97 Thunderstorm, heavy, without hail but with rain and/or snow at time of observation
98 Thunderstorm combined with duststorm or sandstorm at time of observation
99 Thunderstorm, heavy, with hail at time of observation

Note: Groupings (bold rows) indicate the general category of the codes that follow.