Hadley Centre Central England Temperature (HadCET) dataset

The CET dataset is the longest instrumental record of temperature in the world. The mean, minimum and maximum datasets are updated monthly, with data for a month normally available by the 20th of the next month. A provisional CET for the current month is calculated on a daily basis. The mean daily data begins in 1772 and the mean monthly data in 1659. Mean maximum and minimum daily and monthly data are also available, beginning in 1878

Brief description of the data

These daily and monthly temperatures are representative of a roughly triangular area of the United Kingdom enclosed by Lancashire, London and Bristol. The monthly series, which begins in 1659, is the longest available instrumental record of temperature in the world. The daily series begins in 1772.Manley (1953,1974) compiled most of the monthly series, covering 1659 to 1973. These data were updated to 1991 by Parker et al (1992), when they calculated the daily series. Both series are now kept up to date by the Climate Data Monitoring section of the Hadley Centre, Met Office. Since 1974 the data have been adjusted to allow for urban warming.

Data are available from the download page without charge, but please read the terms and conditions. You do not have to register, but it will help us if you do. For problems getting or understanding the data, or to suggest some improvement please leave feedback. If you find the data useful, please return and tell us what you did with it. Commercial and media enquiries You can access the Met Office Customer Centre, any time of the day or night by phone, fax or e-mail. Trained staff will help you find the information or products that are right for you. Contact the Met Office Customer Centre References When using the data set in a paper, the correct citation to use for HadCET is: Parker, D.E., T.P. Legg, and C.K. Folland. 1992. A new daily Central England Temperature Series, 1772-1991. Int. J. Clim., Vol 12, p317-342 (PDF) Other relevant references include: Manley,G. 1953. The mean temperature of Central England, 1698 to 1952. Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc., Vol 79, p242-261. Manley,G. 1974. Central England Temperatures: monthly means 1659 to 1973. Q.J.R. Meteorol. Soc., Vol 100, p389-405. Parker, D.E. and Horton, E.B. 2005. Uncertainties in the Central England Temperature series since 1878 and some changes to the maximum and minimum series. International J.Climatology, 25, 1173-1188. (PDF)

Other information

• THe graph above shows annual anomalies relative to the 1961-1990 average and the red line is a 21 point binomial filter, which is equivalent to a 10 year running mean.
• HadCET diagnostics for the current and previous years.
• 2006 was the warmest year on record for min HadCET and mean HadCET.
• HadCET is produced using an operational system which relies on a number of components. Daily support is not available for this system, therefore the data may experience delays. If you experience any problems or want to request a more reliable service please contact us.

Dataset produced in collaboration with:

Maintained by: John Kennedy Last updated: 23/02/2008 Expires: 23/01/2009 Hosted by: Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Change

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