Because of its elevation above sea-level, around the 1,000 ft contour, and position in the north-east, this station is often one of the coldest in England with high incidences of ground frosts and snowfalls.

Copley is in a relatively dry and sunny rain-shadow area in the shelter of the higher Pennines to the west.

The same higher Pennines can create a local gusty effect if the wind blows from the west-south-west.

[4] The North Pennines are one of the snowiest parts of England and Copley Village sees snow falling on average 53 days each year.

It is just east of the North Pennines AONB,[5] home to one of only a handful of outdoor ski centres in England.