Dataset: Accumulated Temperature at Rothamsted 1965-2024

Citation:  Scott, T., Perryman, S. (2025). Dataset: Accumulated Temperature at Rothamsted 1965-2024 Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK DOI : https://doi.org/10.23637/rmsAccTemp65-24-01
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Chart of Annual Accumulated Temperature at Rothamsted, Harpenden 1965-2024

Chart of Annual Accumulated Temperature at Rothamsted, Harpenden 1965-2024

Summary

This dataset contains the accumulated monthly temperatures at Rothamsted, from 1965-2024, and is derived from continuous daily records measured at the Rothamsted met station, Harpenden. The chart shows annual data for illustrative purposes and the complete monthly data are available in the downloadable data file. The original daily temperature data is available from the e-RA database.

This dataset was created for an analysis of Park Grass yields 1965-2024 and is discussed in the paper by Poulton et. al. (2026). As such, it also contains temperature accumulation data relating to the 1st and 2nd hay cuts of Park Grass hay experiment. An increase in Day Degrees Above 0 (DDA0) in June, August and October decreased total yield.

Methods

Summary data used for this chart are derived from daily data measured at Rothamsted Meteorological Station. The average daily temperature is measured over a 24-hour period 0900 to 0900 GMT and calculated from the daily maximum (Tmax) and minimum temperatures (Tmin); the mean daily temperature = (Tmax = Tmin)/2.

TMAX is recorded over the 24 hour period up to 0900GMT, for the previous day's maximum TMIN is recorded over the 24 hour period up to 0900GMT, for the current day's minimum Since 2004 recorded by thermistors (electronic temperature probes, Campbell Scientific, type 107). TMAX originally recorded using a mercury-in-glass sheathed column maximum thermometer and TMIN using a spirit-in-glass with indicator bar minimum thermometer, both housed in a naturally aspirating temperature screen.

Formulae for Day Degrees Above (DDA) calculations are given in the dataset ReadMe page, as from the Energy Efficiency Office 1985.

Technical Information

Location: Rothamsted Meteorological Station, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, England 51.82 N 0.37 W 128 m asl.

First recorded in 1878, Tmax was then measured using a mercury column thermometer and Tmin using a spirit-in-glass with indicator bar minimum thermometer. Data were collected daily manually until 2004 using a standard protocol. Since 2004 temperature has been recorded automatically by Automatic Weather Station thermistors (electronic temperature probes, Campbell Scientific, Type 107).

Related Datasets

Contributors

Dataset Access and Conditions

Rights Holder

Rothamsted Research

License

Creative Commons License This dataset is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence (4.0).

Cite this Dataset

YOU MUST CITE AS: Scott, T., Perryman, S. (2025). Dataset: Accumulated Temperature at Rothamsted 1965-2024 Electronic Rothamsted Archive, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, UK https://doi.org/10.23637/rmsAccTemp65-24-01

Please review our How to Credit Datasets guidance for more information.

Conditions of Use

Rothamsted relies on the integrity of users to ensure that datasets are used appropriately and Rothamsted Research receives suitable acknowledgment as being the originators of these data. Please review the Conditions of Use before downloading.

Table Of Contents

An Excel file containing monthly accumulated temperature for each year:

ReadMe sheet. Sheet 1: DDA Period and Daily. Day Degrees Above 0, 5, 10, Daily Accumulated Temperature, and where Period = January - June (1st cut) and July-October (2nd cut) and avtemp = average temperature that day Sheet 2: DDAO (Monthly). Total Day Degrees Above 0° for each month, also January-June (1st cut) and July-October (2nd cut). Sheet 3: DDA5 (Monthly). Total Day Degrees Above 10° for each month, also January-June (1st cut) and July-October (2nd cut). Sheet 4: DDA10 (Monthly). Total Day Degrees Above 10° for each month, also January-June (1st cut) and July-October (2nd cut). Sheet 5. Chart. Annual Accumulated Temperature above 0°, 5° and 10° at Rothamsted, Harpenden 1965-2024.

The summary data contained in this spreadsheet are derived from daily temperature data measured at Rothamsted Meteorological Station, Harpenden.

Verification includes checks for instrument errors, for missing data and outliers.

This dataset is compiled by Tony Scott and Sarah Perryman from the original raw daily data which is available, after registering, from the e-RA database. Please contact the e-RA Curators for an access password and further details.

We acknowledge the many weather recorders who have contributed to the collection of these data over the years, starting with Thomas Wilson and Edwin Grey in the 19th century including; Dave Yeoman, John Croft, Bob Norrish, Chris Hall, Paul Hargreaves, Helen Martin, Alan Thornhill, Phil Styles, Andrew Hunt and others.

  • The dataset Accumulated Temperature at Rothamsted 1965-2024 is a published dataset from the e-RA Database. e-RA is part of the Rothamsted Long-Term Experiments - National Bioscience Research Infrastructure (RLTE-NBRI), which also covers maintenance of the Long-Term Experiments, the Rothamsted Sample Archive and Rothamsted's environmental monitoring activities including the weather stations and its role in the UK Environmental Change Network
  • The RLTE-NBRI is funded by UK Research and Innovation - Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (UKRI-BBSRC) under award BBS/E/RH/23NB0007 (2023-2028). The RLTE-NBRI is also supported by the Lawes Agricultural Trust. e-RA has been part of a National Capability since 2012, previous awards from the BBSRC were Grants BBS/E/C/00005189 (2012-2017) and BBS/E/C/000J0300 (2017-2022)
  • Please read the conditions of use.
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For further information and assistance, please contact the e-RA curators, Sarah Perryman and Margaret Glendining using the e-RA email address: era@rothamsted.ac.uk