Meteomatics Expands Historical Weather Data to 1940

We are happy to announce the integration of ERA5 reanalysis data dating back to 1940 into our Weather API.

Historical Weather Data Back to 1940 Available From January 2024

Through the Meteomatics Weather API, users can access four distinct types of historical weather data: in-situ and remotely sensed, representing observational data, and forecast and reanalysis, constituting modeled data. Each category offers unique insights into weather patterns, providing a comprehensive picture of the past.

You can learn more about the specificities of each in our article:

For reanalysis data, Meteomatics utilizes the widely recognized ECMWF's ERA5 reanalysis, acknowledged as the most reliable single model of the global climate. While ERA5 previously extended only to 1959, the 2023 release from the Climate Data Store (CDS) of the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) introduces data for 1940 to 1958. This expansion strengthens the data record to over 83 years, providing valuable context for weather and climate analyses.

The accuracy of recreating past weather patterns depends on the availability of historical observations. In the past, the system for collecting weather data was less comprehensive than today, and many observations have not been digitized. ERA5 includes satellite data only from 1970 onwards, and there were relatively few ground-based observations in the southern hemisphere.

Additionally, upper-air observations were not available before the mid-1940s. Despite these limitations, ERA5 is still expected to provide a reasonable approximation of actual weather conditions for major regions in the northern hemisphere.

Users can conveniently access this expanded historical data through the Weather API connection starting in January 2024.

Take a look at our Documentation for further details:

How Can Users Benefit From Extended Time Series?

By utilizing additional historical data in conjunction with climate scenarios, users can now generate weather information dashboards that cover an extensive period of 160 years, from 1940 to 2100. Meteomatics offers access to the five major climate scenarios from the Meteorological Research Institute Earth System Model Version 2.0 (MRI-ESM2.0), part of the well-regarded Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). This broadened time frame allows for groundbreaking research and analysis, enabling users to explore in-depth long-term weather patterns and climate trends. This data is especially beneficial for sectors like risk analysis and insurance planning, city and infrastructure planning, machine learning and AI training, and climate change communication.

In the chart below, the evolution of the average annual temperature from 1940 to 2100 is depicted using the SSP2 climate scenario, also referred to as the “middle of the road” scenario. Users can perform similar analyses for nearly all parameters offered by the Weather API.

Get Access

Please note that historical data and climate scenarios are not included in Meteomatics’ free accounts. Request a Business account to get access.

For any inquiries, simply contact us using the form below. Our team is ready to help you harness the capabilities of the Meteomatics Weather API for a comprehensive understanding of weather history and trends.