WMO Normals Explorer – Global 1991–2020 Data
Explore WMO 1991–2020 climate normals by station
The WMO Normals Explorer maps monthly and annual reference values submitted for the World Meteorological Organization’s 1991–2020 Climatological Standard Normals collection. Choose a variable, time period, country or station to compare the typical climate reported at individual observing sites.
Use the map for broad exploration. For an exact station-selection and CSV-download workflow, follow the WMO Normals station and export guide. For interpretation, read what a climate normal can—and cannot—tell you.
Click the Maximize / Full Screen button in the top-right corner of the explorer window to expand the map, station table and charts. Press Esc or click the icon again to exit.
Dataset facts
- Official source
- WMO Climatological Standard Normals, archived and stewarded for global access with NOAA NCEI.
- Coverage
- Monthly and annual values for the fixed 1991–2020 reference period. The upstream archive contains more than 6,500 station files; the Explorer uses the eight primary-parameter composite tables requiring at least 24 years of data and currently contains 6,054 unique station IDs across those layers.
- Update frequency
- The reference period is fixed. NCEI may add or correct submissions when WMO Members provide updates.
- Licence
- WMO Unified Data Policy; conditions attached to an originating country’s submission may also apply.
- Important limitation
- A normal is a station-level 30-year reference statistic, not a current observation, forecast, record value or regional average. Parameter availability and documentation vary by submission.
What the map shows
Each map point represents a reporting station with a value for the selected variable and month or annual period. The Explorer includes eight primary WMO parameters:
- mean, mean daily maximum and mean daily minimum temperature
- precipitation and days with precipitation of at least 1 mm
- mean sea-level pressure and mean vapor pressure
- total sunshine duration
The set of visible stations can change when you change the parameter or month because not every station submitted every element. Selecting a station opens its dashboard, where the app combines all available primary parameters for that station into one monthly matrix, seasonal charts and a CSV export.
Compare like with like
Before comparing stations, hold the parameter, month or annual period, and unit constant. Then consider elevation, exposure, coastal or inland setting, and whether a station reasonably represents the place named in your question.
Temperature normals are averages. Precipitation and sunshine values are totals for the stated period, while precipitation days describe frequency. A large normal does not by itself indicate an extreme event or a trend.
When to use another dataset
Use this Explorer to describe the 1991–2020 baseline at a station. Use GHCNm monthly records to examine long-term temperature change, or EuroMeteo observations for recent European station conditions. The evidence-led comparison of June 2026 European capital peaks with WMO normals shows how the two data roles can be combined without treating a normal as an observation.
Data source
- WMO Climatological Standard Normals: definitions and WMO reference-period guidance.
- NOAA NCEI WMO Climate Normals: station files, eight primary-parameter composites, format notes and country documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a WMO climatological standard normal?
It is an average or other climatological statistic computed for a standard 30-year period. The current collection shown here covers 1 January 1991 through 31 December 2020.
Why do station points disappear when I change the parameter?
Parameter coverage differs among stations. The map shows only stations with a usable value for the selected variable and month or annual period.
Does the annual column mean the same thing for every variable?
No. Temperature and pressure rows contain annual averages, while precipitation, precipitation-day and sunshine rows use annual totals or counts. Check the parameter label and unit before comparing values.