Observed trends: Benefits

• Long-term data set of key variables

The UK Met Office has made available gridded datasets generated for a range of climatic variables, covering the UK at 5 km x 5 km resolution for the period from 1914. These data sets are based on the archive of UK climate observations held at the Met Office. As such, the end period to which the information is available varies depending on the variable and dataset, but in most cases is 2005 or 2006. As these datasets are periodically updated to include the latest processed information, users are encouraged to check the Met Office website for further information on the length of the record available.

• Daily, monthly, seasonal and annual time series

The gridded observations of climate are available as daily, monthly and annual datasets, as well as long-term average datasets. 

Go to the online Observed trends report for more details on the available datasets and more information on the maps, graphs and tables provided in that report.

• High spatial resolution

The datasets are provided as gridded observations on a 5 km x 5 km grid. These gridded values have been derived using the observational records held within the UK climate archive. 

Gridding of the observational records has been undertaken to facilitate analyses and presentation, and to address shortcomings of the records. For example, the density of the station network used varies through time and for different climate variables (e.g. for temperature variables the number of stations rises from about 270 in 1914 to 600 in the mid-1990s before falling to 450 in 2006).

• Suitable for exploring current and recent evolution of climate vulnerabilities and risks

Observed climate information, including trends can be used to explore current climate vulnerabilities and risks and their evolution over the period of record (e.g. are risks and vulnerabilities decreasing or increasing?). This information can also be used to establish a baseline from which changes in risk and vulnerabilities in future periods can be assessed.

• Suitable for exploring adaptation options in the context of current climate risks

Observed climate information can also be used to examine the current adaptation deficit and its evolution (is the deficit growing or diminishing over the period of record). This information can also be used to establish a baseline from which further adaptation measures can be developed and assessed.

Users are encouraged to review the UKCIP Risk, uncertainty and decision making framework, UKCIP Adaptation Wizard and other adaptation guidance on the UKCIP website for guidance and further support on assessing the need for adaptation.