Weather observation field guide

    How to Record Daily Weather Observations

    Use a fixed observation time, consistent instruments and siting, explicit units, and notes about changes so today can be compared with tomorrow and with long-term records.

    Originally published December 19, 2017Updated August 7, 2026By the WXObservation team
    A daily weather observation is more than a number copied from an app. Keeping a useful weather journal means tying each observation to a location, instrument, exposure, time, unit, and method. Without that context, the record becomes difficult to compare or reuse.
    Quick answer Record at the same local time each day: current conditions, daily maximum and minimum temperature, precipitation for the defined 24-hour period, snow when applicable, wind or pressure if your instruments support them, sky and significant weather, instrument status, and any siting or schedule change. Keep raw observations separate from estimates and forecasts.
    Weather observer recording instrument readings in a field notebook
    A reusable weather record needs the measured value plus its time, unit, instrument, location, and observation method.

    What to record each day

    FieldRecordCommon mistake
    Date and timeObservation time, time zone, and period representedMixing midnight-to-midnight with morning observations
    TemperatureCurrent, maximum, and minimum with unitsUsing current temperature as the daily high or low
    PrecipitationGauge total for the defined intervalCombining multi-day catch without noting the period
    SnowNew snowfall, total depth, and liquid equivalent separatelyCalling total depth the storm snowfall
    ConditionsSky, visibility, wind, fog, thunder, hail, and impactsReplacing observations with a forecast label
    MetadataInstrument or siting changes and missing dataSilently changing equipment or exposure

    Choose a consistent observation schedule

    Many volunteer climate stations observe once daily at an assigned time, while automatic stations sample continuously and summarize by a specified day boundary. Either approach can work, but the observation day must be defined. A morning observer's maximum temperature may have occurred the previous afternoon. That is expected when records use a consistent climatological day.If an observation is late, missing, or spans more than 24 hours, record the actual interval. Do not invent a normal-time value after the fact. For snow, follow the distinct measurement and clearing schedule in our snow measurement guide.

    How to keep a weather journal or daily weather log

    1. Identify the station. Give it a stable name, coordinates or precise description, elevation, and time zone.
    2. Define the instruments and siting. Record sensor model, height, shielding, gauge type, and nearby exposure.
    3. Set the observation time and units. Keep them visible at the top of the log.
    4. Enter measured values first. Use a missing-data mark rather than guessing.
    5. Add concise notes. Document thunder, hail, fog, damage, maintenance, or unusual exposure.
    6. Back up the record. Keep a second copy and preserve the original units.

    Copyable weather-journal template

    FieldJournal entry
    Date and observation time—
    Current, high, and low temperature—
    Precipitation and snow—
    Sky and visibility—
    Wind—
    Significant weather—
    Instrument or site notes—
    Completed example: August 7 at 7:00 a.m. CDT, 68°F current, 86°F high, 65°F low for the previous 24 hours, 0.24 inch of rain, partly cloudy with good visibility, calm wind, thunder observed at 6:15 p.m. August 6, gauge emptied after the 7:00 a.m. reading.

    Quality-control checks

    • Compare maximum, minimum, and current temperature for impossible relationships.
    • Check the timestamp and battery/communication status before trusting an automatic value.
    • Inspect precipitation gauges for blockage, splash, snow undercatch, or evaporation.
    • Compare nearby stations while accounting for terrain, land cover, and observation time.
    • Flag values changed after review. Do not overwrite the original without a trace.
    When looking up older observations, choose the station and date range explicitly. Our weather history lookup guide explains NOAA Daily Summaries, Local Climatological Data, and station metadata.

    Where to share observations

    The NWS Cooperative Observer Program uses trained volunteers and assigned station standards to produce daily temperature, precipitation, snowfall, and related climate observations. CoCoRaHS focuses on high-density precipitation, snow, and condition monitoring with standardized training and equipment. SKYWARN focuses on timely hazardous-weather reports rather than a daily climate log.Choose the program that matches the observation. A personal spreadsheet is useful for learning, but joining a formal network adds training, station identity, quality procedures, and a path for the data to reach forecasters or climate archives.

    Frequently asked questions

    What should I write in a daily weather journal?Record the date and observation time, current and daily high and low temperatures, precipitation, snow when applicable, sky and visibility, wind, significant weather, and any instrument or site change. Include units and mark estimates or missing values instead of guessing.
    What time should I take a daily weather observation?Use the assigned time for a formal network. For a personal log, choose a sustainable local time and keep it consistent. Record the actual time whenever it changes.
    Can an automatic weather station replace manual observations?It can provide continuous measurements, but manual checks remain important for snow, precipitation-gauge condition, sky, visibility, impacts, maintenance, and data-quality notes.
    Should I record forecasts in the same log?Keep forecasts in separate fields from observations. Label source and issue time so a prediction is never confused with what was measured.

    Sources and observation programs

    Keep learning

    Measure snow correctly Separate snowfall, depth, and liquid equivalent.Look up historical weather Find the right station and NOAA dataset for the question.Become a trained spotter Learn what to report during hazardous weather.