Met Office

Help using this site

Questions and answers

1. 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.

2. The weather forecast pictures don't match the text.

Firstly, ensure you are looking at the latest picture by pressing Ctrl+F5 (or Ctrl+Shift+R for Linux). The graphic/text will be updated when there is a significant change in the forecast. The weather symbols are valid for the time shown above the map. The associated text should always be read as this will expand and amplify the graphic.

3. I cannot get the charts to animate.

You need to ensure that JavaScript is switched on.

How to do this in Internet Explorer:

  1. From the Tools menu select Internet Options.
  2. From the Security tab 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.

How to do this in Opera:

  1. From the Tools menu select Quick preferences and make sure Enable JavaScript is ticked.

How to do this in Firefox:

  1. From the Tools menu select Options.
  2. From the Content tab make sure the Enable JavaScript checkbox is ticked.

How to do this in Safari:

  1. From the Safari menu select Preferences.
  2. From the Security tab make sure the Enable JavaScript checkbox is ticked.

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

4. I keep getting JavaScript error messages.

You need to ensure that JavaScript is switched on.

How to do this in Internet Explorer:

  1. From the Tools menu select Internet Options.
  2. From the Security tab 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.

How to do this in Firefox:

  1. From the Tools menu select Options.
  2. From the Content tab make sure the Enable JavaScript checkbox is ticked.

How to do this in Safari:

  1. From the Safari menu select Preferences.
  2. From the Security tab make sure the Enable JavaScript checkbox is ticked.

How to do this in Opera:

  1. From the Tools menu select Quick preferences and make sure Enable JavaScript is ticked.

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

5. The font is too small to read.

See our Accessibilitypage for instructions on how to make text larger in your browser.

6. When I look at TAFs and METARs on the aviation service, some time groups are displayed as phone numbers with country flags.

This is caused by some phone software packages (e.g. Skype) replacing numeric strings, which resemble phone numbers, with a phone number and country code flag. You will have to look in your software package or use Google to find out how to disable this.

7. 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 11 on how to clear your cache.

8. Can we have a link on your links page?

If you receive a data feed from the Met Office, we will place a link to you on our links page. For information on how to receive a data feed, please email the Customer Centre.

9. 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 Firefox 3

  1. Go to Tools Options
  2. Click on Privacy tab
  3. Either click 'Accept cookies from sites' or click Exceptions button and add our site to the list

To enable cookies in Internet Explorer 7

  1. Go to Tools/internet options
  2. Click on the Privacy tab.
  3. Click on advanced
  4. Select 'Override automatic cookie handling'
  5. Click Accept (or prompt) First Party cookies

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

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

Note that firewalls such as ZoneAlarm may have settings that may have to be changed to allow cookies.

10. 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 9 for instructions about enabling cookies.

11. How do I clear my browser's cache?

Every web browser stores information on recently or regularly visited web pages to improve the browser's performance, and this may include images and other downloaded content on the computer. This storage space is called the browser's cache. Clearing it occasionally or regularly can protect your privacy with regards to login details and passwords; free-up valuable space in your computer, or occasionally solve problems with time sensitive data loading incorrectly. See www.wikihow.com/Clear-Your-Browser's-Cache about clearing cache in various browsers.

12. Is there a list of products and services?

Yes, on ourServices A-Zpage

13. 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.

14. What is a weather gadget?

Gadgets are a category of mini-application designed to provide information or enhance an application or service on your PC. The Met Office has developed weather gadgets for Windows Vista, Mozilla Firefox and iGoogle. A weather gadgets guide is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/gadgets/

The weather gadgets are due to be retired September 2011. To replace these, we have a Desktop Widget  for your Windows, Mac or Linux computer, and a Weather Widget for your website or blog.

15. What are RSS feeds?

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a format for distributing and sharing web content. You can view news feeds from various sources in one location as soon as they're published without having to visit the website you took the feed from. An RSS feeds guide is available at www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/rss/help.html

16. Can I download Met Office pages to my mobile device?

Although the whole Met Office website has not been specifically designed to enable downloads to mobile devices you can get some information specifically designed for mobile. For the rest of the site, as various mobile devices use different browsers and have different levels of JavaScript support, the appearance and functionality of our website experienced on your mobile device may not be the same as experienced on your home computer. See our Mobile Weather page.

17. How do I restore 'My latest weather' and 'My forecast' to the default on the homepage?

On the Met Office homepage, expand the 'Customise Homepage weather' menu by clicking on the + symbol, then click the link below entitled 'Restore defaults'.
Alternatively, click the link below to restore the defaults to London(Heathrow) and UK.
Restore the homepage defaults

18. Why do I need Cookies to use the customising features on the home page?

Cookies are used to save your settings for features such as the 'Customise my weather' and page display options on our website. If you have specifically chosen to clear Cookies when you exit your browser, these settings will be lost.

19. Why am I seeing a big white space at the top of some pages?

Some IE browser may default to 'comparability view' setting. Click on the comparability view button next to the the address bar.

20. What does BETA mean?

Beta is sometimes used on new products to indicate that they are subject to more change than other products. While a product is in Beta we are especially keen to gather your comments and feedback about ways in which the product could be improved. We aim to support Beta products to the same level as non-Beta products, but there may be times when the application or data is unavailable for a little longer than normal. Products with a Beta badge are subject to development as we incorporate feedback from users.

Last Updated: 9 December 2011

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