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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 20 June 2026 by the Media Grid UK weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
Weather radar detects precipitation in real time by sending out microwave pulses and measuring their return. The live radar above shows rain, sleet and snow across the UK, with colour intensity indicating heavier showers. This is especially useful in changeable seasons like spring, when sharp downpours can develop quickly.
What does the live radar show?
The radar displays precipitation intensity from light drizzle (blue/green) to torrential rain (red/magenta). For snow, the radar uses a different reflectivity signature – lighter shades of pink or white often indicate snow rather than rain. The live weather radar UK refreshes every 5–10 minutes, giving you a near-real-time view of approaching fronts and showers. If you see a band of red moving towards London or Manchester, heavy rain is likely within the hour.
How accurate is the weather radar?
In the UK, the Met Office’s network of C-band radars provides reliable coverage, but accuracy drops with distance from a radar site or in mountainous areas (beam blockage). Ground clutter – buildings, wind turbines – can cause false echoes, though modern filtering reduces this. For snow, radar underestimates intensity because dry snowflakes reflect less energy than wet ones. That’s why combining radar with observations gives the best picture.
Why does rain sometimes not show on the radar?
Very light drizzle or virga (rain that evaporates before reaching the ground) can be missed because the droplets are too small to reflect enough signal. The radar also has a “cone of silence” directly overhead, so intense showers right above the site may be underestimated.
What’s the difference between rain and snow on radar?
Snowflakes are less dense than raindrops and have a lower dielectric constant, so they reflect less energy. On the live radar, snow often appears as weaker returns (lighter colours) than rain of equivalent intensity. Bright-band contamination can also occur when snow melts into rain near the freezing level.
Can I use radar to plan my day?
Yes – the weather radar near London or weather radar near Manchester gives you a 1–2 hour lead on showers. Combine it with the 10‑day forecast for longer-term planning, and check rainfall warnings for severe weather.