WIREDGOV

We have made major changes to the weather forecasts on our website and app. Although you may not have noticed anything different yet, we’ve undertaken a significant upgrade to the data system that generates our seven-day forecasts throughout the UK and around the world.    

The innovative new system gives more precise and up-to-date weather information, from one hour to seven days ahead, by combining weather outputs from the latest high-resolution models with ensembles, where data models are run multiple times to present the range of future weather possibilities.  

Find out more about ensemble forecasts

The new data appears in the forecast tables on our website and app . 

Simon Vosper, Executive Director of Science at the Met Office, said:

“Although most people won’t ‘see’ anything different, what’s going on behind the scenes is really exciting.  

“Our new post-processing system capitalises on our ensemble forecasting capability, which captures the range of possible further weather events, allowing us to better estimate the likelihood of severe weather. It exploits our latest high-resolution models, resulting in more accurate temperature forecasts, more accurate predictions of rain, hail and snow, and more accurate weather symbols.  

“It’s taken big scientific investment to get to this stage, so it’s an important milestone for the Met Office, and there are more exciting developments to come. We’re now looking to improve our forecasts further, exploring ways to provide additional weather information relating to temperature and rainfall on our website and app.  

“Everything we do here at the Met Office is to provide our users with accurate and up-to-date weather information so that they can make better decisions, whether that be simply choosing between going to the beach or an indoor leisure centre during the summer holidays, or even deciding if it’s a good idea and safe, to do what they’ve planned.” 

More accurate weather information    

The new data is displayed in the forecast tables on the website and app. It provides many users with the following benefits:   

• more accurate temperature forecasts   
• more accurate predictions of rain, hail and snow   
• more accurate weather symbols 

Although the data is new, we haven’t changed the visual appearance of our forecasts.     

Extensive testing of new data    

We tested the new data with our users. Those who took part in a public trial earlier this year told us the new data was more accurate overall than the previous data.

Get our new forecasts by visiting our website or downloading our app.    

You can join our group of app testers to get new features and updates before they are released to all users.     

You can also give us your feedback so we can continue to improve our forecasts.