This study analyses the evolution of surface characteristics of two industrial high‐strength 7xxx aluminium alloys with a focus on alloy composition and environmental parameters. Based on storage and transport conditions of as‐machined products, the effect of humidity—as liquid and vapour phase—on the natural oxide layer has been studied. The evolution of the natural oxide layer has been analysed by scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The growth behaviour of the surface layer is dominated by environmental conditions, while microgalvanic activity depends mainly on the alloys' chemical composition and differs significantly for tested alloys. Scanning transmission electron microscopy images demonstrated that the long‐term exposure at moderate temperatures affects the microstructure near the surface, which differs for the analysed alloy compositions. An anomalous precipitation of zinc‐rich particles at the surface and along the precipitate‐free zone is observed for the alloy with higher Zn/Mg ratio and lower Cu content.