Understanding Climate Variables

ERA5-Land Data

Leidora uses ERA5-Land monthly averaged data from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). This represents some of the most comprehensive and accurate global climate data available.

Climate Variables

Temperature

2-meter air temperature (standard measurement height)
Monthly averages from 2016-2024
Use for finding comfortable temperatures for travel

Precipitation

Total precipitation (mm/day average)
Identify dry seasons for outdoor activities
Or wet seasons for lush landscapes

Snow Depth

Snow depth in water equivalent (mm)
Plan winter sports trips
Avoid snow-affected regions

Monthly Sunlight Intensity

Average solar radiation (W/m²)
Find sunny destinations
Converted from J/m² to intensity

Beach Score

Composite metric (0-100%)
Combines temperature, precipitation, and sun
Optimal: 24-28°C with low rain

Daily Max / Nightly Min (T-MAX / T-MIN)

Average daily high and nightly low per cell
From ERA5-Land daily statistics (true daily extremes, not the monthly mean)
Shows the real day–night range behind the average temperature

Data Resolution & Cell Sizes

Climate values are shown on a regular grid. Each colored cell represents the average conditions over its whole area:

Regular mode: 0.2° grid — each cell covers about 22 × 22 km at the equator (~490 km²)
HD mode (toggle in the top bar): 0.1° grid — about 11 × 11 km per cell (~123 km²), 4× more detail, larger download

Cells get narrower toward the poles: the east–west size shrinks with the cosine of latitude (at 60°N a Regular cell is ~22 × 11 km). Zoom in to see the outline of each cell showing the exact area it covers.

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Data and attribution

Climate data. Contains modified Copernicus Climate Change Service information (2024). Generated using Copernicus Climate Change Service ERA5-Land monthly averaged data. Neither the European Commission nor ECMWF is responsible for any use of this information.