Find out how to access the ECMWF archive (or historical data) stored in ECMWF's Meteorological Archive and Retrieval System (MARS)

There is an existing page here: Access to Archive data - but I think it is out of date.

) data

What do we mean by archive (historical) data?

Use

At the moment it is a bit confusing because 'archive data' is used as a general term (to mean non-valid or expired data) AND it is used to refer to data in the archive catalogue; also sometimes the term historical is used.

Find out what archive data are available and what they cost

Explore the data - Direct people to web based catalogue: https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/datasets/search/

Find out what you can access and what the costs might be: see how to order archive (historical data)

We could direct people to the Product Requirements Catalogue  .... where they can get an archive licence: https://apps.ecmwf.int/shopping-cart/archive-orders/new

Some datasets are free (i.e. public): https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/datasets/search/?f%5B0%5D=sm_field_dataset_urls_filter%3Afield_dataset_public_url

Find out about the licence for the use of archive data

All archive data are covered by Creative Commons Licence ... link

Find out how to access archive data

• See how to access archive (historical) data.https://www.ecmwf.int/en/forecasts/datasets/archive-datasets
• ECMWF's archive data are stored within MARS (Meteorological Archival and Retrieval System) - link to MARS confluence space/section.

Find out how to get archive data

Public datasets

ECMWF's public archive data are free (terms and conditions apply) and can be explored from our data browser, where small amounts of data can be downloaded.

You can also access public datasets using the ECMWF Web API. Please note that the Public Datasets Service will be decommissioned from 1 June 2023.  

Archive data available to ECMWF members

ECMWF members are granted full access to ECMWF archive data. Find out how to set up access to archive data for ECMWF members.

You can access archive data using the ECMWF Web API or access archive data from ECMWF computers.

Archive data available to other customers (commercial, research, etc.)

In addition to the free public products (which are available to all), customers can order an archive licence.

Once you have your licence, you can access a wider range of ECMWF archive data and use the ECMWF Web API.

Archive data format

Find out about data format and how to read your data files.

Data available through the Copernicus Climate Change and Atmosphere Monitoring Services

 If you want to explore the open and free of charge (see Copernicus Licence for details) data of the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S)  please have a look here: 

What data and maps are available through C3S (Copernicus Climate Change Service)?

 If you want to explore the open and free of charge (see Copernicus Licence for details) data of the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) please have a look here:

What data and charts are available through CAMS (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service)?

A range of data related to atmospheric quality are available free of charge through the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service in the Atmosphere Data Store

For details on datasets and questions please have a look at the Copernicus knowledge base and Copernicus User Support Forum HomeCAMS and C3S Forum (C-Forum).