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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Playlister UK weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
The live radar above shows rain, sleet and snow moving across the UK in near-real time, using data from the Met Office’s network of weather radars.
How does the UK weather radar work?
The Met Office operates a network of 15 C-band weather radars across the UK. Each radar pulses microwave energy and measures the return signal from precipitation particles. The system updates every 5–15 minutes and can detect rain, drizzle, snow and hail up to 255 km from each site.
- Reflectivity data is converted into precipitation intensity, shown as colour bands on the live radar above.
- Dual-polarisation technology helps distinguish between rain, snow and non-weather echoes like birds or wind farms.
- The radar network covers the whole UK, including near London and near Manchester, though mountainous areas in Scotland and Wales have reduced low-level coverage.
What can the live radar tell me?
Use the live radar above to see where rain is falling now, how heavy it is, and which direction it’s moving. This is especially useful for planning short journeys or checking if a shower is about to reach your location.
- Rain intensity — lighter colours (blue/green) show drizzle or light rain; reds and purples indicate heavy downpours.
- Snow detection — when combined with temperature data, the radar can show weather radar snow across higher ground or northern areas.
- Worldwide view — toggle to weather radar world mode to see broader weather systems approaching the UK from the Atlantic.
Is the live weather radar UK Met Office data free?
Yes. The live radar above uses open Met Office data, which is free for personal use. You can check live weather radar uk met office coverage anytime without a subscription.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Radar can pick up non-weather targets such as flocks of birds, wind turbines or aircraft. The Met Office filters most of these, but occasional speckles near London or Manchester may appear during clear skies.
How accurate is weather radar snow detection?
Snow is harder to detect than rain because its dry flakes reflect less energy. The radar is most reliable for weather radar snow uk when combined with ground reports and temperature forecasts.
For the full picture, check our UK weather hub or see the BBC Weather UK summary. If you need planning ahead, the 10 day weather forecast UK and long range weather forecast pages are useful. For warnings, visit moderate rainfall warning.