Met Office Weather Forecast

Official forecast data with seven-day hourly detail

The core proposition is simple: deliver the same forecast data that Met Office scientists use, directly to your phone. Hourly breakdowns extend across a 7-day window, giving genuine planning granularity rather than vague daily summaries. The severe weather warning system is the standout feature, pushing National Severe Weather Warnings as they are issued and pairing them with interactive radar maps that show rainfall over the preceding six hours alongside incoming precipitation. That combination of historical radar and official warnings outperforms most third-party aggregators, which typically resell the same underlying data with added latency. Video forecast briefings add a broadcast-style layer that casual users tend to appreciate, though they require a stable connection to stream properly.

Consistently reliable performance across meaningful user volume

A 91 MB install is on the heavier side for a single-purpose utility, suggesting the app bundles map assets and radar imagery locally rather than fetching everything on demand. That trade-off generally favours responsiveness once installed. The app holds a 4.71 rating across roughly 2,000 reviews, a notably high score at meaningful volume, which points to consistent reliability rather than a honeymoon-period spike. Update cadence is a strong signal here too: version 3.50.0 was pushed in July 2026, indicating the development team is actively iterating. Video forecasts and live radar tiles are the most connection-dependent elements, so users in rural or low-signal areas may experience stuttering on those specific screens.

Free access to core warnings and radar

The app is free to download, and the core forecast, warning, and radar features appear available without payment. The store listing does reference in-app purchases without clearly specifying what is gated, which creates mild uncertainty before committing. That said, for a government-backed meteorological service offered at no upfront cost, the value proposition for UK users is strong by any measure. Comparable commercial weather apps with similar data depth typically charge subscription fees. The ad-supported model is consistent with the Met Office's public-service remit, and the absence of a paywall on safety-critical warnings is a meaningful distinction from some rivals.

Government data governance with standard permission review

Location access is essential for a weather app and expected here, but the precise scope of data collection is best verified directly in the App Store privacy label rather than assumed. As a UK government agency, the Met Office operates under public-sector data governance frameworks, which may offer stronger baseline protections than a purely commercial developer. Even so, users should review which permissions the app requests on first launch, particularly around background location and notification access, and check the privacy nutrition label in the App Store listing for a full breakdown of data linked to identity or used for tracking.

Map-first design prioritizes alerts and radar

The interface follows a clean, map-centric layout that surfaces warnings and radar without burying them in menus, a sensible priority given that urgent alerts are the app's most safety-relevant feature. The content rating of 4-plus signals no mature content concerns, making it appropriate for all ages. Accessibility specifics such as Dynamic Type support, VoiceOver compatibility, and colour-contrast choices for radar overlays are not independently verifiable here, but users with accessibility needs should test those elements directly. The broadcast-style video forecasts are a distinctive touch that suits users who prefer a human explanation over raw data grids.

Nearly decade-long update record reflects sustained investment

The maintenance record is genuinely reassuring. Released in January 2016, the app has been updated continuously, with the most recent release dated July 2026, meaning the team shipped an update within the past few weeks at time of writing. Reaching version 3.50.0 after nearly a decade reflects sustained investment rather than a neglected product. The Met Office's institutional backing provides structural motivation to keep the app current, particularly as the UK government's official severe weather communication channel. For users who rely on the app during high-stakes weather events, that ongoing commitment to updates is as important as any individual feature.