High quality meteorological data are needed for long-term forest ecosystem research, particularly in the light of global change. The long-term data series published here comprises almost 20 years of measurements for two meteorological stations in Schänis in Switzerland where one station is located within a natural mixed forest stand (SCB) with European beech (Fagus sylvatica; 130-150 yrs), European silver fir (Abies alba; 130-150 yrs) and European ash (Fraxinus excelsior; 130-150 yrs) as dominant tree species. A second station is situated in the very vicinity outside of the forest (field station, SCF). The meteorological time series are presented in hourly time resolution of air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and wind speed. Schänis is part of the Long-term Forest Ecosystem Research Programme (LWF) established and maintained by the Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL.