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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 20 June 2026 by the Civic Affairs weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
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Weather radar detects precipitation in real time by sending out radio pulses and measuring the echoes returned from rain, snow, hail or drizzle. The live radar above shows current conditions across the UK, helping you track approaching weather systems at a glance.
How does weather radar work?
A weather radar station emits a narrow beam of radio energy that travels through the atmosphere. When that beam hits a raindrop, snowflake or hailstone, some energy scatters back to the radar dish. The stronger the returning signal, the heavier the precipitation. The live radar above stitches data from multiple Met Office radar sites to give you a seamless, minute-by-minute picture of where rain or snow is falling across Britain.
Using the live radar for your day
The colour scale on the radar map shows intensity: blue and green for light rain, yellow and orange for moderate to heavy showers, and red for intense downpours. If you see a band of yellow or red approaching your area on the live weather radar UK feed, you can expect wet conditions within the next 15–60 minutes. For a longer view, combine the radar with our 10 day weather forecast UK or check Weather Tomorrow UK for planning ahead.
Can weather radar detect snow accurately?
Yes, weather radar snow detection works well, though snow returns a weaker signal than rain of equivalent intensity. The UK network uses dual-polarisation technology to identify snowflakes and distinguish them from rain, giving reliable live weather radar UK Met Office snow maps.
Is the radar view the same as a satellite image?
No. Radar looks at precipitation near the ground by bouncing radio waves, while satellite imagery sees cloud tops from space. The radar is better for tracking rain and snow that are actually falling, so use the live radar above for current conditions rather than satellite pictures.
How do I check radar near my city?
The live radar above covers the whole country, so you can simply zoom into your area to see weather radar near London, weather radar near Manchester or any other location. No separate feed is needed — one map shows everything from the Scottish Highlands to the south coast.