Weather Radar UK

The UK’s maritime climate means fronts from the Atlantic can bring rain within minutes. The live forecast above tracks precipitation across the country in real time, so you can see whether that approaching band of rain will reach your area within the next hour.

How to read the live rain radar

The radar colour scale runs from light blue (0.1–1 mm/hr) through green (1–2 mm/hr), yellow (2–4 mm/hr), orange (4–8 mm/hr) and red (8+ mm/hr). Darker shades indicate heavier downpours. The live conditions above update every five minutes, showing where rain, drizzle, sleet or snow is falling now and the direction it is moving.

To check if rain will reach you, note the motion of the coloured bands. Most weather systems travel from west to east, but local showers can drift in any direction. The radar gives you a 30- to 60-minute nowcast – enough time to decide whether your next walk or commute needs an umbrella.

What do the colours mean in detail?

Light blue patches: light drizzle or fine rain, often barely noticeable. Green: steady rainfall. Yellow and orange: moderate to heavy rain, sometimes with small hail. Red: intense downpours likely with thunderstorm activity. When you see red or magenta on the live conditions above, expect sudden heavy bursts, local flooding and possibly lightning.

For snowfall, the radar works slightly differently. Snow returns a weaker signal than rain, so it often appears as lighter colours (light blue or green). The live radar can still track snow bands, especially during widespread winter events. You can also check the UK weather warnings page for snow alerts.

Radar vs forecast – what is the difference?

A weather forecast predicts what is expected to happen hours or days ahead. Radar shows what is happening now and where precipitation has already fallen. Use the UK weather hub for the official outlook, and return to the live radar above for up-to-the-minute monitoring of actual conditions.

When you see a forecast that says “scattered showers”, the radar tells you exactly where those showers are currently located. That is why radar is most useful during unstable conditions – showery days, thunderstorms or frontal bands where timing matters.

When is the radar most useful?

The live radar is especially helpful during:

• Summer thunderstorms – see where the heaviest cells are forming.
• Winter snow events – track the leading edge of a snow band.
• Commuting in showery weather – check if a shower is about to hit your route.
• Outdoor events – confirm whether a wet spell is passing or lingering.

For a longer look ahead, combine the radar with the 10 day weather forecast UK to plan around broader weather patterns.

How does the UK radar network compare with other regions?

The Met Office operates a network of 15 weather radars covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The live weather radar UK Met Office data has a resolution of 1 km, updated every five minutes. While the radar centred on London covers the south-east, stations near Manchester cover north-west England. For a global perspective, you can view weather radar world feeds through international meteorological services, but resolution and update speeds vary.