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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Metro Report weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
Check the live radar above to see rain, sleet and snow moving across the UK right now. The Met Office network updates every five minutes, giving you a real-time picture of approaching weather for your area, from London to Manchester and beyond.
What does the weather radar show?
The live radar above detects precipitation – rain, drizzle, sleet and snow – using a network of ground-based stations across the UK. Colour-coded echoes show intensity: light blue for light rain, through green and yellow to red for heavy downpours. Snow appears as a lighter, often patchier signal. This live weather radar UK feed is the same data used by forecasters at the BBC Weather UK page.
How accurate is the radar for your location?
For those near London or Manchester, the radar gives reliable coverage out to about 250 km from each station, updating roughly every five minutes. Short-term quirks can occur near hills or coast, but it remains the best tool for seeing what’s heading your way in the next hour or two. For longer planning, pair it with our 10 Day Weather Forecast UK.
Is the weather radar data free to use?
Yes, the live weather radar UK Met Office feed is publicly available at no cost. The same data powers the UK weather hub and many third‑party apps. No subscription is needed.
What does the colour scale mean on the radar?
Blue/green indicates light rain; yellow/orange shows moderate rain; red is heavy downpours. Snow often appears as a patchy, lighter echo. The legend is shown on the live radar above.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Ground clutter, hills, and tall buildings can cause weak false signals near the station. The Met Office filters these out, but occasional speckles remain – especially during fog or calm conditions.