What is typical meteorological year?

A typical meteorological year (TMY) is a set of meteorological data for a location that represents the long-term average weather patterns. It is based on 30 years of historical weather data, typically from the most recent three complete decades. The data includes variables such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, and precipitation.

TMY data is used in energy modeling and building design to predict energy use and evaluate renewable energy systems. It is also used in climate studies and climate modeling.

The TMY data is derived from the hourly weather observations at a particular location and is presented in a standardized format. The TMY data is calculated to represent a typical year, rather than a specific year, to eliminate any extreme weather conditions that may occur.

The TMY data is updated periodically to reflect changes in the long-term weather patterns. The current TMY data for the United States is based on the period from 1981 to 2010.