Weston Park Weather Station

Our weather datum begins its journey at Weston Park weather station, in the grounds of Weston Park Museum, Sheffield. The weather station was first established in 1882 by amateur meteorologist and museum curator Elijah Howarth. It is one of the longest running weather stations in the world, and data produced by the station make up one of the most complete climate datasets going all the way back to 1883. It is designated a climatic weather station by the UK’s Met Office.

Over the years responsibility for the weather station has passed down through generations of museum curators. The station is currently run by Alistair McLean, curator of Natural Science at Museums Sheffield, who spoke to us about his work.

Read through the ‘Data journey’ and ‘Culture’ pages to find out more.

Learn more

Go to the Met Office station (the Yellow line on our map).

Archive sources

• Audio recording of interview with Alistair McLean [WP_01]

• Transcript of interview with Alistair McLean [WP_01]

• Observation photographs of our visit to Weston Park

Reflection

We’d like you to take a minute to reflect on what you have read about Weston Park weather station.

Some questions to get you started:

• How do you think the cultural values of the museum curator might impact upon the production and quality of the weather data produced at Sheffield Weston Park?

• What different types of value do you think the weather station and its data hold for the people of Sheffield?

• What are your thoughts on the curator’s beliefs about sharing the weather data produced by the museum?

• How would you feel if the data generated at Sheffield Weston Park were being used by organisations with cultural values that challenge or go against the values of those who produce it?

• How do you feel about the new automated Met Office equipment at Weston Park? What impact do you think this might have on the future of the station?