Frequently Asked Questions

If you have not found what you are interested in, visit our Weather and climate data web page for more information about the range of weather data we provide.

If you still can’t find what you are looking for, please contact enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk who will be able to pass your query to the right team and answer your question.

The new Global spot data set provides forecasts for 45,000 global sites/locations. The service will return data for the nearest forecast location to the requested longitudinal and latitudinal points. The response will detail the co-ordinates of the forecast location for which the data is provided.

There are various support options available. Please visit the support tab in Met Office Weather DataHub.

Weather DataHub supports the following browsers:

• Chrome (latest two versions)
• Safari 12 and 13
• Edge (latest two versions) (Edge 18 partially supported)
• Samsung Internet (latest version)
• Firefox (latest two versions partially supported)
• Internet Explorer 11

Notifications can be configured for spot data APIs to notify you when you’re approaching your usage limits.

When you are logged in to the Met Office Weather DataHub, follow these steps to manage your usage notification settings:

1. Click the Apps link on the navigation menu and you will be directed to the Apps page
2. Select the application that you want to manage
3. Click 'Notification' settings on the window navigation menu
4. Use the tick box to either activate or deactivate your notification settings
5. Use the buttons to select your preference
6. You can change the status of email notifications using the Email tick box
7. Click Submit to confirm your decision.

This feature is not currently available for coverage data subscription plans.

When you make a successful data request to an API, the X-RateLimit-Limit response header details the total number of requests allowed for that day against that subscription plan. The X-RateLimit-Remaining response header details the number of requests remaining for that day.

If you are receiving a 429 HTTP status code when you make a request to an API, you have already reached your daily limit. For coverage data plans, you can view your current usage in the order configuration tool.

We have provided descriptions of the data available within each API usage plan, in the usage plan page linked from the homepage of Met Office Weather DataHub.

You can view an example of the data by clicking on the appropriate API link.

Unfortunately, XML is not available on the new Met Office Weather DataHub service. The Global spot data APIs support GeoJSON, an open standard format, designed for representing simple geographical features.

The Atmospheric Model data APIs support GRIB2, a concise data format commonly used in meteorology to store historical and forecast weather data.

The new Global spot data set provides forecasts for 45,000 global sites/locations. The service will return data for the nearest forecast location to the requested longitudinal and latitudinal points. The response will detail the co-ordinates of the forecast location for which the data is provided.

The API key is a unique string that is assigned to your application. It is made up of a client ID and a client secret that you need to include in each request.

You get an API key as soon as you create your application to request the weather data. Follow these steps to create your application and obtain an API key:

1. Log into your account
2. Click the Apps link on the navigation menu and you will be directed to the Apps page
3. Click Create new App
4. Provide information for the fields in the Register application window
5. Click Submit
6. The client ID and client secret is automatically generated

Take note of the application client ID and client secret that you need to include for each web service request.

When you request data from Met Office Weather DataHub APIs you must set the x-ibm-client-id and x-ibm-client-secret headers. The value of x-ibm-client-secret should be set to the client secret for your application and the value of x-ibm-client-id should be set to the client ID. We will use these credentials to authorise your access to the APIs.

When you are logged in to the Met Office Weather DataHub, follow these steps to reset your API key:

1. Click the Apps link on the navigation menu and you will be directed to the Apps page
2. Select the relevant application
3. Click reset on the client secret
4. Confirm your decision to reset your application client secret
5. Tick the box to show client secret and take note of the generated information

To help keep your details safe, you are only able to view your client secret the first time it is created. If you no longer have the client secret, you can get a new one by following the reset process.

The API key is unique to the application you have created it for; therefore, it cannot be transferred from one application to another.

Once you have signed up, registered your app and subscribed to a data usage plan, look in the API library for URLs, example data and all the other information you need to start getting the data you want.

To assist you in integrating with our gridded data API, we have made available some sample code (via the below link) that you can use to integrate with your systems. 

https://metoffice.apiconnect.ibmcloud.com/metoffice/production/sample-download-code

There are several reasons why you may not be receiving data:

It could also be an issue taking payment for your monthly subscription, in which case you may need to check with your card issuer or provide alternative card details.

• You have reached the limit of your daily allowance. The API will return a 429 HTTP status code to indicate this.
• You have entered the incorrect client ID and/or client secret in your API call request. The API will return a 401 HTTP status code in this instance.
• You have reset your client secret and have not updated them in your API call request. The API will return a 401 HTTP status code in this instance.
• You have registered an application but not subscribed to a usage plan. The API will return a 401 HTTP status code in this instance.

A 429 HTTP status code indicates that you have reached your daily limit for API requests against your current subscription plan. If you require additional requests, consider upgrading to a plan with higher limits.

A 401 HTTP status code indicates that you are not providing valid credentials associated with a usage plan when making your request. This may be for one of the following reasons:

• You have not set the x-ibm-client-id and the x-ibm-client-secret headers for the request.
• The client ID and/or client secret provided in the headers are not valid. If you have reset your client secret you will need to use the new value; the previous one will no longer work.
• You have registered your application but have not subscribed to a usage plan. Even if you provide the correct client ID and client secret you will not be able to retrieve data from the APIs until you have subscribed to a usage plan. Check the details for your application, under the Apps tab, to ensure that a plan has been selected.

GRIB2 has standard WMO definitions for most standard parameters and there is also an ability for data producers to hold a local code for specific parameters produced, so that the data can be more accurately described.

Eg wind speed at 10m (surface adjusted) is a Met Office local GRIB code and will not be listed in a standard GRIB table. Use the Weather DataHub (WDH) Glossary entry for this parameter to access a hyperlink to the MO local GRIB codes.

In some areas you will have different rights depending on whether you are a business or consumer. You are a consumer if you are an individual and are buying Met Office Weather DataHub Products wholly or mainly for your personal use (not for use in connection with your trade, business, craft or profession). In all other cases, you will be a business customer. In some areas you will have different rights depending on whether you are a business customer or a consumer.

The Met Office Weather DataHub Terms and Conditions make it clear which terms apply to businesses and which terms apply to consumers.

The data and products listed on Met Office Weather DataHub are made available to you under a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to download, use, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, adapt and exploit the Met Office Weather DataHub Products for use in your application.

We apply charges for certain plans, further details can be found on the Met Office Weather DataHub pricing page. We have greater costs of providing data for certain of our pricing plans and we are entitled to charge for providing this data in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015.

If you've forgotten your password or need to change it but you remember the email address used for account registration, follow these steps to regain access to your account:

1. Go to the account login / register page
2. Click the link for "Forgotten password"
3. Enter the email address you used at registration and click "Send verification code"
4. Retrieve the verification code from your email and enter into required value
5. Verify the code and then click "Continue"
6. Click "Continue" on the change e-mail screen

Then, you will be presented with a screen to enter and confirm a new password

Please email the Met Office at enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk from the email address associated with your account with the subject line: Met Office Weather DataHub - edit profile.

Include the following information:

• Your current name (first name and surname)
• Your new first name and/or surname

We will email you once this has been completed.

Please email the Met Office at enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk from the email address associated with your account.

Include this information:-

Subject: Met Office Weather DataHub- edit profile.

We will need to know:

• The current email address for your Met Office account
• Your new email address

We will email you once this has been completed.

Please email the Met Office at enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk from the email address associated with your account with the subject line: Weather Data Hub - delete account.

Include the following information:-

• First name
• Surname

We will email you once this has been completed.

You may cancel your subscription at any time via your account on the Met Office Weather DataHub or by giving us written notice using the following contact details: enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk. Please note that cancellation will take effect immediately and we are unable to offer refunds for unused data from your monthly subscriptions.

If you placed your order as a consumer (and paid a charge for the products) then for most products bought online you have a legal right to change your mind within 14 days and receive a refund without giving any reason. These rights, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, are explained in more detail in the Met Office Weather DataHub terms and conditions.

You have rights, both as a business customer and as a consumer, to terminate (end) the contract in other circumstances and the Met Office Weather DataHub terms and conditions explain these rights in more detail.

If you placed your order as a consumer (and paid a charge for the products) then for most products bought online you have a legal right to change your mind within 14 days and receive a refund without giving any reason. These rights, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, are explained in more detail in the terms and conditions.

The cancellation period will expire (run out) 14 days from the day of the conclusion of the contract for the Met Office Weather DataHub Products. You do not have a right to change your mind and cancel the order where you start to download digital products.

For more information on your statutory rights as a consumer please visit UK Govt Consumer Rights.

In line with data protection principles, the personal information you provide will be strictly used to render the services requested by you. You may receive operational communications to keep you updated in connection with your use of the APIs and the service, but will have the option to opt-out of these emails should you wish. Details of how your personal data is managed is contained in the Met Office Privacy Policy.

In the UK, Export Controls are measures imposed by the government to regulate the transfer of goods and information around the world. There are several reasons why government seek to do this, some of these are:

• The nature of the goods and information (e.g. military goods/software or controlled military information);
• Recipients and/or destinations (e.g. whether there are existing sanctions/reports of civil unrest in a destination country); and concerns about end use of the export (e.g. terrorism)./li>

The Met Office does not intend to provide data or information that is subject to Export Controls through this platform. However, if you are concerned that UK Export Controls (or Export Control law in a destination country) may apply to your transaction, you should contact enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk. Further information about UK Export Controls can be found here.

The Met Office Weather DataHub can be accessed from any country which is not subject to UK Government financial sanctions. An up-to-date list of the restricted countries is available online. We will not activate accounts where persons attempt to order Met Office Weather DataHub Products or access the Met Office Weather DataHub to carry out the registration process from those countries. We will not allow customers to access their account or any Met Office Weather DataHub Product from any restricted country, even if they have placed their order and completed the registration process in a country that is not subject to these restrictions.

If you are looking for a paid for credit card plan – you will need to choose from the UK Business (with VAT added) or RoW business (no VAT added) to ensure that correct taxes in country are paid. Please see VAT FAQ for more information.

Any international consumers (please see definition of consumer) wanting more data than is available in the free tier, will need to contact us through the Enterprise option, to ensure that the correct in country sales tax is added.

The data and products listed on Met Office Weather DataHub are made available to you under a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to download, use, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, adapt and exploit the Met Office Weather DataHub Products for use in your application. Certain conditions must be met and these are explained in more detail in the terms and conditions.

Users are required to include the following attribution statement in their application:

“Powered by Met Office data”

Yes. Subject to the terms of the licence granted to you (see Question & Answer above).

The atmospheric global 10km data, which is provided as a Met Office Weather Data HubProduct, does not meet the strict requirements for data provided for regulated aviationpurposes. You must therefore not use the atmospheric global 10km data as a replacement formeteorological information as outlined in ICAO Annex 3 to the Convention on InternationalCivil Aviation or as defined by the relevant competent aviation authority. You are only grantedthe right to use the atmospheric global 10km data in Your Application for aviation if YourApplication falls outside the scope of ICAO Annex 3, or, if Your Application is used incompliance with the Permitted Use to provide services for aviation that are not regulated by arelevant aviation authority.

The Met Office has chosen to support the free provision of data up to a usage limit for some APIs - please see our pricing page for more information. The Met Office is applying charges for requests beyond the usage limit, so that the Met Office can offset the costs incurred of providing data to users.

Users are required to include the following attribution statement in their application:

“Powered by Met Office data”

The data and products listed on Met Office Weather DataHub are made available to you under a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, non-transferable licence to download, use, copy, publish, distribute, transmit, adapt and exploit the Met Office Weather DataHub Products for use in your application.

We apply charges for certain plans, further details can be found on the Met Office Weather DataHub pricing page. We have greater costs of providing data for certain of our pricing plans and we are entitled to charge for providing this data in accordance with Regulation 15 of the Re-Use of Public Sector Information Regulations 2015.

The invoice plan is for organisations who are, amongst other things, interested in higher volumes of data over and above the other plans. If you are unable to find a suitable plan in the other options, please contact us through the Enterprise plan and we will try and help you discover the right plan to suit your needs.

To access the invoice plan, follow the link on the page with the invoice plan listed.

When you are logged in to the Met Office Weather DataHub, follow these steps to set up a subscription:

1. Click the API Usage plans
2. Select the API you are interested in
3. Click on the Subscribe button
4. Select the Basic plan and then click the Subscribe button
5. Choose which application you wish to associate with this plan

When you are logged in to the Met Office Weather DataHub, follow these steps to set up a subscription:

1. Click 'into my organisation' from the dropdown menu under your username and enter your card details in the Billing section
2. Click the API usage plans link
3. Select the product you are interested in
4. You will be directed to a page that lists the available plans for subscription
5. Click on the 'Subscribe' button under the plan you want

The Met Office does not store your credit or debit card details on our server. All payment and card details are securely stored by the payment provider, Stripe. You can read their security policy here https://stripe.com/docs/security.

You are advised to read Stripe’s privacy policy carefully: https://stripe.com/gb/privacy.

The privacy policy sets out important information on the type of data Stripe collects. It also describes how Stripe collects, processes, uses and shares your data, your rights, choices and how you can contact Stripe about its privacy practices.

Our payment provider accepts all major credit/debit cards. We do not accept American Express. Once you have subscribed to a plan, we will auto-charge your registered credit/ debit card on a monthly basis until you cancel your subscription.

We currently do not offer invoice billing on personal accounts. This will only be available for Enterprise plan customers with higher data needs.

When there are multiple charges for the same transaction on your card statement, it may be because you have registered for two different usage plans using the same card. However, if you think this is an error, please send an email to our Service Desk using enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk. They will investigate the error and respond to you within five working days.

If you receive an error message when trying to make a payment, it may be that there is an issue with the funding source you are trying to use. You will need to contact your card issuer for more information.

The Met Office is registered for VAT in the UK and will therefore apply UK VAT at the standard rate on all domestic supplies of digital services. For customers located outside of the United Kingdom who are business customers, the price will be the net price with no VAT added. Such customers must account for sales tax themselves in accordance with their local tax rules.

For customers located outside of the United Kingdom who are consumers choosing to pay a subscription for the Met Office Weather DataHub Products, they will need to purchase the Met Office Weather DataHub Products using the Enterprise package (as described on the Met Office Weather DataHub).

In such a case, the sales tax inclusive price will be calculated in accordance with the current rates under the relevant legislation and confirmed to the customer before they place their order and this will be recorded on the order confirmation. Please note the Met Office may need to calculate the sales tax inclusive price offline and communicate it to the customer via email.

We currently do not accept invoice billing on consumer accounts. Payment in advance via invoicing will only be available for invoice plan accounts.

The new Global spot data set provides forecasts for 45,000 global sites/locations. The service will return data for the nearest forecast location to the requested longitudinal and latitudinal points. The response will detail the co-ordinates of the forecast location for which the data is provided.

Unfortunately, XML is not available on the new Met Office Weather DataHub service. The Global spot data APIs support GeoJSON, an open standard format, designed for representing simple geographical features.

The Atmospheric Model data APIs support GRIB2, a concise data format commonly used in meteorology to store historical and forecast weather data.

Spot data API call count is calculated on a per day basis over a monthly period. For example, if you sign up on the 5th of the month, your plan will reset on the 5th of the following month. Any unused data will not be carried over to the following day.

Coverage data subscription plans are based on data volume and are calculated over a monthly period as above.

The spot data subscription plans are based on per day usage over a one-month time period. It is expected that our users will spread their call allowance based on the plan they have subscribed to. For example, if you are on a 10,000 API allowance per month you will be limited to 360 calls per day. If you require more calls per day, you will need to wait for the next cycle or upgrade to a plan with more API allowance.

The daily limit is the number of calls that you can make in a 24hour period to all APIs included within your subscription plan. This period is in GMT, so may not necessarily align to your local time. Unused API calls will not be carried over from one 24hour period to the next.

There is no daily limit for coverage data subscription plans.

You will not receive any data once you reach the limit of your monthly allowance. You can upgrade your subscription at any time to a plan with a higher API allowance.

For spot data plans, if you have set usage notifications for this application, you should also receive an email to inform you of this.

You can see what the parameters are by referring to the links below:

• Global spot data - Daily
• Global spot data - 3 Hourly
• Global spot data - Hourly

For spot data APIs, only one location can be specified per call.

Spot data is updated hourly. Hourly data returns 2 days of data hourly, 3 hourly data returns 7 days of 3 hourly data and daily data returns 7 days of daily data.

All spot data parameters can be obtained using a single API call.

Spot data API call count is calculated on a per day basis over a monthly period. For example, if you sign up on the 5th of the month, your plan will reset on the 5th of the following month. Any unused data will not be carried over to the following day.

Coverage data subscription plans are based on data volume and are calculated over a monthly period as above.

The daily limit is the number of calls that you can make in a 24hour period to all APIs included within your subscription plan. This period is in GMT, so may not necessarily align to your local time. Unused API calls will not be carried over from one 24hour period to the next.

There is no daily limit for coverage data subscription plans.

Currently the Met Office 10km Global Atmospheric Deterministic model and UK 2km model data (in standard grid projection) are the weather prediction models available. Future releases are planned during 2021.

This service has been specifically developed to enable users to customise every aspect of the data required, from parameters needed, area required, frequency of update, days required and many further customisable aspects. Therefore, you have the choice on what data you take, and do not have to take data for the whole of the global model.

The data is updated every 6 hours, usually around 03:30, 09:30, 15:30 and 21:30 as approximate timings but this does vary.

The figure of 10 km is an approximate value appropriate to the resolution over the south of the UK at the surface. The resolution at the equator will be nearer 17 km and towards the poles. The resolution will decrease with height, as the atmosphere is (relatively) a very thin layer.

We are really using GiB and TiB when giving the volumes on the Order Summary even though we call it GB and TB. We are also pricing on GiB, but calling it GB to be consistent across Weather DataHub. So we only need to apply the conversion when the order is given in TB (actually TiB). 1Tebibyte=1024Gibibyte which is why we use this conversion in the pricing tool for any orders given in TB (actually TiB), to ensure that we are pricing in GiB (even though we are saying it is GB).

We have provided descriptions of the data available within each API usage plan, in the usage plan page linked from the homepage of Met Office Weather DataHub.

You can view an example of the data by clicking on the appropriate API link.