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Weather and your health

The Met Office has been involved in health forecasting for more than eight years. We combine our skill in forecasting the weather with knowledge about how health conditions are affected by climatic conditions.

A middle-aged couple walking along a country road.

Healthy Outlook®

Healthy Outlook® helps people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, during the winter.

Healthy Outlook®
A young woman looking pensive.

Brighter Outlook™

Brighter Outlook™ helps people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, make a positive difference to their mental health.

Brighter Outlook™
A family playing in the sea.

Public health

We have developed a cold weather warning service, heatwave plan and UV service for the Department of Health.

Services for public health
A petri dish with bacteria.

Climate change and health

There is growing evidence that climate change could pose increasing risks to health.

Climate change and health

Health forecasting is about:

  • identifying who is at risk;
  • finding out when and where they are at risk;
  • using this information to trigger preventative care to help keep people well.

Through working with health professionals, academics, other experts and patients, we have developed a number of services to help reduce the impact of weather on healthcare services and individuals’ health.