use XML::Smart ; my $date = '1-2-2004' ; my $xml = new XML::Smart('your_file.xml') ; my $node = $xml->{AnnualWeatherRecord}{DailyWeatherRecord}('date' , 'eq' , $date) ; my $max = $node->{temperature}{maxdrybulb}{number} ; my @array = ($date , $max) ;