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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 20 June 2026 by the Edinburgh Wire weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
Check the live radar above to see rain, sleet or snow heading toward Edinburgh and the Lothians. The Met Office network updates every five minutes, giving you a reliable picture of what is approaching from the Firth of Forth or the Pentland Hills.
How does the weather radar work?
The radar transmits pulses of microwave energy that bounce off precipitation particles. The time it takes for the signal to return tells operators how far away the rain or snow is, and the strength of the return indicates its intensity. Across Scotland, the network covers the Central Belt and borders, so you can track showers moving in from the west coast or the North Sea.
Can I see snow, hail or sleet?
Yes – the live radar above works for all types of precipitation. Snow and sleet often appear as weaker returns because ice particles reflect less energy than raindrops, but modern dual-polarisation radars used by the Met Office can distinguish between rain, snow and hail. For Edinburgh, the radar is especially useful during winter when a band of snow from the Highlands pushes south.
Is the live weather radar UK met office data the same as BBC Weather?
The BBC uses Met Office radar data under licence, so the raw imagery is identical. The display and overlays differ, but the precipitation echoes you see on this page match what is available on Edinburgh Wire’s BBC Weather page.
Can I check weather radar near London or Manchester on this page?
The radar above covers the UK, so you can zoom or pan to see conditions over London, Manchester or any other city. For local detail, use the weather radar near london or weather radar near manchester view on the live tool.
Does the radar work for weather radar snow uk conditions?
Yes. Snow returns a weaker signal, but the radar still detects it. For Edinburgh, snow from the east or north is well captured. Check the Moderate Rainfall Warning page for official alerts when snow is forecast.