Large Data Set

Location of non‑UK weather stations

Beijing (China), Jacksonville (USA), Perth (Australia)

Relative location of UK weather stations

Camborne (SW England), Heathrow (SE England), Leeming (N England), Leuchars (E Scotland)

Expected daily mean temperature (°C)

UK summer ~15-20°C, UK winter ~3-8°C; warmer in Perth/Beijing summer, cooler in winter

Expected daily total rainfall (mm)

UK ~0-5 mm typical; Perth dry in summer, wetter in winter; Beijing summer monsoon peaks

Expected daily total sunshine (hours)

UK summer ~5-8 h, winter ~1-3 h; Perth summer ~10+ h; Beijing summer ~7-9 h

Expected daily mean windspeed (knots)

UK ~5-15 kn; Perth summer sea breezes; Jacksonville tropical storms possible

Expected daily maximum gust (knots)

Usually higher than mean windspeed; spikes in storms

Expected daily mean pressure (hPa)

UK ~1010-1025 hPa; lower in storms, higher in settled weather

Expected daily mean cloud cover (oktas) 0-8 scale;

UK often 4-7 oktas; Perth summer ~1-3 oktas

Expected daily mean visibility (km)

UK often 20-50 km; reduced in fog/mist; Perth/Beijing often high unless dust/smog

Non‑numerical wind direction data

Compass points (e.g., N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW)

Non‑numerical cloud cover data

Recorded in oktas (0 = clear, 8 = full cover)

Non‑numerical visibility data

May be coded as "fog", "mist", "haze" if low

Non‑numerical weather type data

Qualitative codes (e.g., "rain", "snow", "thunderstorm")

Data set variables you must know

Year, Month, Day, Daily mean temperature, Daily total rainfall, Daily total sunshine, Daily mean windspeed, Daily maximum gust, Daily mean pressure, Daily mean cloud cover, Daily mean visibility, Wind direction, Weather type

Units - temperature

°C

Units - rainfall

mm

Units - sunshine

hours

Units - windspeed

knots

Units - gust speed

knots

Units - pressure

hPa

Units - cloud cover

oktas

Units - visibility

km

Correlation - temperature vs sunshine

Positive correlation (more sunshine → higher temperature)

Correlation - temperature vs rainfall

Negative correlation (more rainfall → lower temperature)

Correlation - windspeed vs gust speed

Positive correlation (higher mean windspeed → higher gusts)

Correlation - pressure vs rainfall

Negative correlation (low pressure → more rainfall)

Reason for variation - latitude

Higher latitude → cooler temperatures, less intense sunshine

Reason for variation - altitude

Higher altitude → cooler temperatures, lower pressure

Reason for variation - proximity to sea

Coastal → milder temperatures, more humidity

Reason for variation - prevailing winds

Wind from sea → more moisture; from land → drier

Reason for variation - seasonal patterns

Summer → higher temperatures, more sunshine; winter → lower temperatures

Reason for variation - local geography

Mountains, valleys affect wind, rainfall, temperature

Reason for variation - climate zone

Tropical, temperate, desert climates differ in all variables

Reason for variation - weather systems

High/low pressure systems change wind, rainfall, temperature

Reason for variation - ocean currents

Warm/cold currents affect coastal temperatures

Reason for variation - human activity

Urban heat island effect raises local temperatures