The weather has a major impact on horticulture and agriculture. It can be essential for ensuring healthy crops. Adverse conditions, from sudden flooding or the risk of drought, to conditions that might promote blight or disease can have a similarly powerful though wholly negative effect.

The SCRI Weather Station

SCRI has a meteorological site, or weather station, within its grounds where a team of meteorological observers record daily information and calculate weekly and monthly totals and averages. The data this provides is invaluable in many ways.

Within SCRI

The provision of accurate meteorological data makes available a 'weather log' that enables staff and other interested parties to assess with precision how weather conditions like rainfall and strong winds might have affected activities, such as planting, crop spraying, harvesting and insect behaviour. The data is also relied upon by SCRI staff for research and commercial projects.

Outwith SCRI

Outside research, agricultural, educational and commercial bodies also benefit from SCRI data, as do government agencies and the media.

SCRI data contributes to a nationwide database at the Met Office providing evidence of weather patterns and climate change, therefore accuracy is crucial. Through the National Meteorological Programme (NMP), a publicly funded operational and development programme, the Met Office builds and continually enhances its capability to deliver environmental information and services.

With interagency co-operation the NMP brings together measurements from around the world that are used to run the complex models that predict what our weather and ocean systems will be like in the near future. This benefits many different groups including the general public, government, schools, broadcasters, online media, civil aviation and almost every other industry sector - in the UK and around the world.

Met Office services are of enormous assistance to farmers, growers and horticulturists nationwide, allowing them to schedule work with greater confidence and to manage their day-to-day activities in more efficient and cost-effective ways.

Weather data

SCRI weather records date back to 1954 and include a variety of observations such as air and soil temperatures, wind, sunshine and rainfall data, cloud cover and visibility, amongst others. Monthly totals for the year so far and the past four weeks can be found on the weather data page.

You can also view current weather data from the automatic weather station at SCRI.

For details on the availability of more comprehensive weather data contact:

Marion Grassie,  Head Meteorological Observer
SCRI
Invergowrie
Dundee
DD2 5DA
United Kingdom.
Tel: +44(0) 1382 562731 (switchboard)
Email: Marion.Grassie@scri.ac.uk