Daytime zonally (longitudinally) averaged temperatures from the Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) on the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS) and nightly temperatures from various ground‐based hydroxyl airglow observations are employed in the study of the global and seasonal variability of the upper mesospheric temperature field. The study examines the latitudinal variability of the annual cycle of mesospheric temperature at 75, 82, and 87 km employing 7 years (1991–1997) of WINDII mesospheric temperature data at latitudes from 20°S to 65°N at 75 km, 35°S to 65°N at 82 km, and from 45°S to 65°N at 87 km height. Particular attention is given to the latitude region of ±40° around the equator. Harmonic analysis of the 7‐year temperature time series reveals the presence of a dominant annual, ∼90‐ and 60‐day oscillations at high northern latitudes and a strong semiannual oscillation (SAO) at equatorial and tropical latitudes. A quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO) is also identified extending from 45°S to 65°N. At 75 km the SAO is manifested as minima in the temperature composites at spring and fall equinox and maxima at winter and summer solstice; at 87 km the SAO is out of phase with respect to the 75‐km SAO, with maxima at equinox and minima around the solstice periods. The phase reversal takes place around 82 km and is associated with a mesospheric temperature inversion between 77 and 86 km height. Accounting for tidal contribution by adopting tidal predictions by the Extended Canadian Middle Atmosphere Model (CMAM) shows that a strong temperature decrease (∼35 K) seen during the 1993 March equinox at equatorial and tropical latitudes is not associated with solar migrating tides. WINDII global climatology derived at 75, 82, and 87 km revealed mesospheric SAO asymmetry with a stronger September equinox and interhemispheric asymmetry with a quieter and colder southern hemisphere. Comparisons with independent ground‐based observations and the Solar Mesospheric Explorer (SME) satellite data are also presented showing good to excellent agreement in the derived annual and SAO parameters. The results presented provide the first high‐vertical‐and‐temporal resolution global daytime temperature climatology in the upper mesosphere and in the vicinity of the mesopause.