Search logo
 

Met Office logo
  bullet  Home  bullet  Frequently asked questions Space
  Weather and climate | Aviation | Leisure | Research | Education | Products and services
Page Top
  Frequently asked questions
underline
Questions: 1. Questions about the weather and forecasts
2. Questions about the site
3. Questions about products and services
4. Units of measurement
5. Miscellaneous questions

1. Questions about the weather and forecasts
  1.1 Are there commentaries on the satellite pictures?
  1.2 The weather forecast pictures don't match the text.
  1.3 The weather forecast pictures don't match what's going on outside my window.
  1.4 What are hurricanes and how are they named?
  1.5 How do I get a setting for my barometer?
  1.6 What is the weather like at .....?
  1.7 Is there a decode for the weather symbols?
  1.8 What areas do each region cover?
  1.9 What is the difference between regional severe weather warnings and advance warnings?
  1.10 How can I see all forecasts for my region and also print them out?
2. Questions about the site
  2.1 I cannot get radar or the European surface pressure chart to animate.
  2.2 I cannot get the European satellite chart to animate.
  2.3 I keep getting Javascript error messages.
  2.4 The font is too small to read.
  2.5 Why do you only have one or two city forecasts in some countries and none from others?
  2.6 The data are out of date.
  2.7 Can we have a link on your links page?
  2.8 I keep returning to the login page when trying to launch a registered service.
  2.9 I keep returning to the login page when trying to register for a service.
  2.10 What are access keys?
  2.11 How do I clear my browser's cache?
3. Questions about products and services
  3.1 Is there a list of products and services?
  3.2 When will it be possible to receive TAFs and METARs on a mobile, by both WAP and SMS?
4. Units of measurement
  4.1 Why do we use Celsius rather than Fahrenheit?
  4.2 How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
  4.3 How do you convert from millibars to inches?
  4.4 What are hectopascals?
  4.5 What is UTC?
5. Miscellaneous questions
  5.1 Why do we have to change the clocks?
  5.2 Can you tell me the sunrise and sunset times for....?
  5.3 When will high tide be at....?

Return to top

1. Questions about the weather
Question 1.1 Are there commentaries on the satellite pictures?
Yes, they can be found on the Education pages satellite images. Click on visible or infrared, then on 'Met Office View'.
     
Question 1.2 The weather forecast pictures don't match the text.
Firstly, ensure you are looking at the latest picture by pressing Ctrl and Reload/refresh. The graphic is updated twice a day between 0630 and 0800 and between 1830 and 2000. The text is updated three times a day at 0600, 1200 and 1800. The weather symbols are valid for the time shown under the map. The associated text should always be read as this will expand and amplify the graphic.
     
Question 1.3 The weather forecast pictures don't match what's going on outside my window.
Note the answer to Q1.2. Again, read the text which is updated at 0600, 1200 and 1800.
     
Question 1.4 What are hurricanes and how are they named?
Many questions about hurricanes are answered on our Tropical Cyclones page.
     
Question 1.5 How do I get a setting for my barometer?
Atmospheric pressure varies over time and space and also varies with height. Since the altitude of the barometer normally stays constant (the station height) a correction is made to the reading to make it equivalent to the mean sea-level reading. This is done so that readings from different locations can be compared, with differences due to height being removed. Aneroid barometers are normally adjusted to mean sea-level values - read the barometer's instructions to see how to adjust the instrument (normally by a screw on the back). Mercury barometers cannot be adjusted (don't tamper with them because a mercury spillage is a health hazard).

To get the value for your barometer, choose a high-pressure day, pressure values are not changing very much - you can watch the TV forecasts for such a day. Go to the Met Office's observation page and choose the station nearest to your location - on a quiet weather day the distance away from you will not be significant. Adjust the barometer to the station's pressure value. You can check your barometer on other days but will have to compensate for fast-changing pressures or distance if the pressure is low or changing fast. The observation includes information about how the pressure is changing. There is a page on the University of Reading web site which gives more information about barometers.

     
Question 1.6 What is the weather like at .....?
Get the latest forecast or observations from the Met Office. You can also get a detailed SMS weather forecast, including rainfall, for your location or postcode on your mobile phone. The past weather pages also give a brief overview of the climate of various regions round the world.

However, if you want detailed climate values for a specific place try World Climate. You can enter a location when prompted and this then provides long-term average values for daily maximum and overnight minimum temperatures, also rainfall, on a monthly basis. Remember that these are averages and that there can be significant variations from these figures.

   
Question 1.7 Is there a decode for the weather symbols?
You can see the decode by clicking on the 'Key' link on the pages with the weather symbols.
   
Question 1.8 What areas do each region cover?
There is a page which shows all the regions. It can be found by clicking on the 'Guide' link on the weather pages or by going to the guide page.
   
Question 1.9

What is the difference between regional severe weather warnings and advance warnings?
The regional warnings are issued when severe weather is expected to cause disruption to traffic etc. over the next few hours. The advance warnings are issued when severe weather is expected to cause widespread disruption to traffic etc. over the next few days.

Current warnings and more information about them

   
Question 1.10 How can I see all forecasts for my region and also print them out?
On each regional page, click on the link called 'See all maps on one page' or the 'Printable version' button.
 
Return to section 1. Questions about the weather
2. Questions about the site
 
Question 2.1

I cannot get the radar or European surface pressure chart to animate.

You need to ensure that JavaScript is switched on.

How to do this in Netscape:
1) Select Preferences from the Edit menu.
2) Click on Advanced, and in the check boxes that appear make sure that Enable JavaScript is checked.

How to do this in Internet Explorer:
1) Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
2) Click on the Security tab and set the security level to Medium. JavaScript will automatically be enabled.
3) If you wish to have more control over your security settings, select the Custom security level and click on Settings. Scroll down to the bottom of the settings window and ensure that Active scripting is enabled.

You will need to look at your browser's help to see how to do this on other browsers.

Question 2.2

I cannot get the European satellite chart to animate.
Animation of GIFs may have been switched off in your browser.
If you are running a firewall then animation of GIFs may be switched off in its configuration file.

     
Question 2.3 I keep getting Javascript error messages.
You need to ensure that JavaScript is switched on. See the answer to Q2.1 for how to do this.
     
Question 2.4 The font is too small to read.
You need to ensure that JavaScript and Style Sheets are switched on. See the answer to Q2.1 for how to enable JavaScript.

To enable style sheets in Netscape:
1) Select Preferences from the Edit menu.
2) Click on Advanced, and in the check boxes that appear make sure that Enable style sheets is checked.

To enable style sheets in Internet Explorer:
1) Select Internet Options from the the Tools menu.
2) Click on the Accessibility at the bottom of the options window. Ensure that none of the check boxes in the Accessibility window are checked.

You will need to look at your browser's help to see how to do this on other browsers

     
Question 2.5 Why do you only have one or two city forecasts in some countries and none from others?
The list of locations was chosen some time ago and had to be restricted in numbers. A choice was made to limit these to popular holiday locations. However, there are plans to increase the number of locations available. There are more UK locations available on our detailed SMS weather forecast service.
     
Question 2.6 The data are out of date.
You need to refresh your page. We have extensive checks to ensure that data is updated on time. You might find the problem is at your ISP, contact them to ask for their pages to be updated. See question 2.1 on how to clear your cache.
     
Question 2.7 Can we have a link on your links page?
If you receive a datafeed from the Met Office, we will place a link to you on our links page.

For information on how to receive a datafeed, please e-mail the Customer Centre.

     
Question 2.8

I keep returning to the login page when trying to launch a registered service.
You need to enable cookies to use the registered services. Our policy about cookies can be found on our privacy page.

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer 5
1) Go to Tools/internet options
2) Click on the Security tab.
3) Select Internet zone.
4) Click on Custom level button.
5) Page down to cookies.
6) Enable cookies (either 'enable' or 'prompt'). This only needs doing in 'Allow per session' section.

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer 6
1) Go to Tools/internet options
2) Click on the Privacy tab.
3) Move the slider to a suitable setting

In Netscape
1) Go to Edit/preferences
2) Click on Advanced (not on + sign)
3) Select 'Accept all cookies'
4) Select 'Warn me' box if required

You will need to look at your browser's help to see how to do this on other browsers.

     
Question 2.9 I keep returning to the login page when trying to register for a service.
You need to enable cookies to use the registered services. Our policy about cookies can be found on our privacy page. See the answer to question 2.8 for instructions about enabling cookies.
     
Question 2.10

What are access keys?
Access keys are keyboard shortcuts which allow a user to navigate a web site without using a mouse or other pointing device. This can sometimes be quicker and may assist those with motor skill difficulties.

How to use access keys on this web site

     
Question 2.11

How do I clear my browser's cache?
To clear the browser's cache:

In Netscape:
1) Select Preferences from the Edit menu.
2) Double click on Advanced to open the folders.
3) Click on Cache
4) Click on the Clear Cache button.

In Internet Explorer:
1)Select Internet Options from the Tools menu.
2)Click the Delete files button in the Temporary Internet files box.

You will need to look at your browser's help to see how to do this on other browsers.

 
Return to section 2. Questions about the site
3. Questions about products and services
Question 3.1 Is there a list of products and services?
This is called the Products and services page.
   
Question 3.2 When will it be possible to receive TAFs and METARs on a mobile, by both WAP and SMS?
As a result of aviation customer feedback we don't intend to provide TAFs and METARs on WAP at this time, but will keep this under review.
   
 
Return to section 3. Questions about products and services
4. Units of measurement
Question 4.1 Why do we use Celsius rather than Fahrenheit?
The Celsius scale is the World Meteorological Organization standard for temperature measurement and is used throughout the world by the meteorological community for global exchange of information.
   
Question 4.2 How do you convert Celsius to Fahrenheit?
From Celsius to Fahrenheit - F=9/5*C+32
From Fahrenheit to Celsius - C=5/9*(F-32)
where C is the value in Celsius and F is the value in Fahrenheit.
   
Question 4.3 How do you convert from millibars to inches?
Multiply the millibar value by 0.02953 to get the value in inches.
   
Question 4.4 What are hectopascals?
The SI unit for pressure is a pascal. The worldwide meteorological community uses the hectopascal, i.e. a hundred pascals, which is the metric equivalent of a millibar. However, millibars (and inches) are still used in some public forecasts in the UK and USA.
     
Question 4.5 What is UTC?
UTC stands for Universal Time Coordinated and it is equivalent to GMT. The Royal Observatory web site has more information on the history of timekeeping. It also has a description of local time.
     
Return to section 4. Units of measurement
   
5. Miscellaneous questions
Question 5.1 Why do we have to change the clocks?
The UK responsibility for 'clock changes' lies with the Home Office, and the contact details for them are as follows:

The Home Office Constitution and Community Relations Desk
Queen Anne's Gate
London SW1H 9AT
Telephone 020 7273 4640
     
Question 5.2 Can you tell me the sunrise and sunset times for....?
For information about sunset and sunrise times, and moon phases and times you should e-mail the Royal Observatory in Edinburgh who will be happy to answer your enquiry. Alternatively, visit the Royal Observatory's web site. They can also be contacted on 0131 668 8100, preferably between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

If you know your co-ordinates on the globe, then you can get an individual print out from the US Navy web site which provides sun and moon times anywhere on the globe. However you should note that the times given are all in GMT (otherwise known as UTC). Your latitude and longitude in the UK can be found by entering your postcode on the Streetmap web site.

     
Question 5.3 When will high tide be at....?
There are two organisations which can provide tide information, and both are happy to deal with public enquiries. They are:

Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory
Bidston Observatory
Birkenhead
Merseyside CH43 7RA
Tel: 0151 653 8633 , then ask for extension 219
E-mail: either ktf@pol.ac.uk or hmst@pol.ac.uk

UK Hydrographic Office
Admiralty Way
Taunton
Somerset TA1 2DN
Tel: 01823 337900, then ask for extension 3533 or 3530
Fax: 01823 284077
Tidal enquiries e-mail: tides@ukho.gov.uk
UKHO on-line free worldwide tidal prediction service

Alternatively, the Yachting and Boating World magazine web site does have some pages with tide times. You may also find relevant general information on the SailSail site.

     
Return to section 5. Miscellaneous questions
www.metoffice.gov.uk ©Crown copyright