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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Civic Insight weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
The UK’s weather radar network tracks rain, sleet and snow in real time, with the live radar above showing precipitation across Britain and neighbouring Ireland. Updated every few minutes, it helps you see what is heading your way now.
How does the weather radar work?
Met Office radars send out pulses of microwave energy that bounce off raindrops, snowflakes or hail. The strength of the return signal tells forecasters how heavy the precipitation is. The live radar above combines data from a network of 15 sites, giving coverage for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It also picks up echoes from the sea, so you can spot weather rolling in from the Atlantic or the North Sea.
Reading the radar for rain and snow
The colours on the live radar above range from light blue (drizzle) through green and yellow to red (torrential downpours). Pink or white areas often indicate snowfall, especially when temperatures are near freezing. For weather radar snow detection, the radar measures the reflectivity of ice crystals – this works best when snow is wet or heavy. Dry, powdery snow can be harder to pick up, so check the BBC Weather UK forecast alongside the radar.
Can the weather radar show snow accurately?
Yes, but dry snow returns a weaker signal than wet snow or rain. The weather radar snow uk data is most reliable when snow is heavy and accompanied by above-freezing ground temperatures. Always cross‑check with ground reports.
Why does the radar sometimes show false echoes?
Buildings, hills, aircraft and even birds can cause spurious returns. The Met Office uses filters to remove most of these, but near large cities like weather radar near London or weather radar near Manchester you may see occasional clutter.
Is there a radar covering the whole world?
No single global radar exists, but you can view composites that stitch together national networks – weather radar world products typically show data from the US, Europe, Japan and Australia. The live radar above is limited to the UK and Ireland.
For the latest rainfall alerts, see the Moderate Rainfall Warning. Plan ahead with the Weather Tomorrow UK or check the 10 Day Weather Forecast UK. For a broader view, visit our UK weather hub.