WMO Climate – Global Monthly Observations

Explore recent and historical monthly CLIMAT station observations from the WMO network, with methods for interpreting temperature, precipitation, pressure, and sunshine.

WMO Climate Observational Data

The WMO Climate Explorer is an independent visualization providing interactive access to recent and historical monthly climatological reports (CLIMAT) from the global World Meteorological Organization (WMO) observing network.

CLIMAT reports summarize a calendar month of observations at an individual land station. They support climate monitoring, research and archiving, but a monthly station value is not automatically an anomaly or a regional trend. Those interpretations require a defined reference period, completeness checks and appropriate treatment of station history.

Climate Explorer is not affiliated with WMO or the Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD). DWD remains the authoritative publisher of the quality-controlled files used here, while the originating National Meteorological and Hydrological Services remain responsible for their observations.

Pro Tip

Click the Maximize button in the top-right corner of the explorer frame to expand to Full Screen mode for optimal map and chart visibility. Click it again or press Esc to exit.

Dataset facts

Official source
DWD CLIMAT global observations archive, compiled and provided by the Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD).
Coverage
Global land-station catalog, with record length and parameter availability varying by station. Historical and recent files are combined where DWD publishes both.
Update frequency
Monthly, as new station reports enter DWD’s recent quality-controlled files; historical files are versioned separately.
Licence
CC BY 4.0 under the DWD CDC Open Data terms; include the required DWD source attribution.
Important limitation
Recent files are preliminary quality-controlled data, while historical versions have completed DWD’s routine quality-control workflow. Gaps, station changes and differences in observing practice can still affect interpretation.
Recent & Historical Integration

Unlike static climatological normals, this dataset is extended as new monthly reports are processed. It connects versioned historical series with DWD’s recent files, whose values may still be revised.

About this Data

The variables presented represent monthly observations compiled from official CLIMAT bulletins. Coordination is managed by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), ensuring standardization of observations across different national networks.

Through Climate Explorer, you can inspect this global network of monthly station data to:

  • Screen recent conditions: Place a recent monthly value beside earlier values for the same station and calendar month.
  • Examine historical variability: Inspect multi-decade observations of temperature, precipitation, pressure, and sunshine before undertaking a formal trend analysis.
  • Export station records: Download the parsed monthly observations currently available for a selected station as CSV.

How to use this tool

  1. Global Navigation: Select stations directly from the map or use the search controls.
  2. Filter by Country: Use the sidebar to filter the stations list to a specific country.
  3. Visualize & Export: Go to the Dashboard tab to view charts of temperature, precipitation, pressure, and sunshine duration, or export the raw observations to CSV.

Variables Explained

The explorer supports the following climate variables:

  • Mean Temperature: The monthly mean air temperature reported for the station; calculation practices can differ between observing services and periods.
  • Max/Min Temperature: The reported absolute monthly extremes and the separate monthly means of daily maxima and daily minima.
  • Precipitation: Total monthly precipitation accumulation and count of days with at least 1 mm of rain/snow.
  • Pressure: Mean monthly atmospheric pressure, adjusted to sea level.
  • Vapor Pressure: Average atmospheric moisture content.
  • Sunshine Duration: Total hours of bright sunshine.

Worked example: compare the same month at Buzău

This example uses Buzău, Romania (WMO station 15350) to show a defensible month-to-month workflow without assuming that the chart itself calculates an anomaly.

  1. Select Romania, then Buzau (15350), and open the Dashboard.
  2. In the temperature plot, compare one calendar month—July, for example—across several years rather than comparing July directly with January.
  3. Open the Data tab and confirm that the selected years contain a reported mean temperature for July.
  4. Export the CSV and retain the station identifier, variable and dates with any derived calculation.
  5. If you need an anomaly, subtract a documented July normal for the same or demonstrably equivalent station. The WMO Normals Explorer provides 1991–2020 reference values; the WMO normals guide explains how to select and interpret them.

The same sequence works for monthly precipitation, but totals should only be compared after checking that the month is present and that the station record is suitable for the intended period.

Method: observation, anomaly and trend are different products

Observation

The value displayed here is a monthly station summary derived from a CLIMAT report and published in DWD’s parameter-specific archive. It describes the reporting station, not an area average.

Anomaly

An anomaly is calculated as an observation minus a stated reference value. Always name the baseline period, variable, calendar month and station match. The explorer does not currently calculate this subtraction for you.

Trend

A trend estimate requires more than drawing a line through the chart. Check missing months, changes in station location or instrumentation, the consistency of the seasonal sampling and whether the series has been homogenized for the intended analysis. For broad climate assessment, one station should be combined with a suitable network or gridded product.

Recent versus historical quality control

DWD separates recent files from versioned historical files. Recent data extend the record but have not completed the same routine quality-control stage as historical data and may be revised. Climate Explorer merges the available files for display, so record the retrieval date when using a recent month.

Read the complete WMO Climate workflow and parameter guide, or start with What CLIMAT Messages Contain—and How to Explore Them for the data-transmission context.

Data source

Frequently Asked Questions

What are CLIMAT reports?

CLIMAT reports are standardized monthly summaries compiled by national weather services from selected meteorological stations. They are transmitted globally to facilitate climate monitoring.

When are recent CLIMAT data updated?

CLIMAT is a monthly reporting stream. DWD updates its recent parameter files as reports are processed; availability can differ by station and variable, and recent values may be revised.

Can I download the displayed station series?

Yes. Select a station, open the Dashboard, and click Download CSV. The export contains the parsed monthly values currently available to the explorer for that station; it is not the original encoded CLIMAT bulletin.

Does the explorer calculate climate anomalies?

No. It displays monthly station observations. To calculate an anomaly, subtract a documented normal for the same variable, calendar month and matching station, and state the reference period used.