Met Office

Media Resources

This section includes useful resources for journalists on some of the most commonly covered subjects including forecasting, climate change and our supercomputers.

Who we are

A TV weather forecast

Who we are and where we come from.

  1. Founded in 1854 as part of the Board of Trade, until 2011 a Trading Fund within the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
  2. 2011 become part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
  3. One of the world's leading weather forecast centres.
  4. World leader in climate-change research.
  5. Annual turnover of more than £170 million a year.
  6. Cutting-edge researcher of science of weather.

What we do

A list of just some of the things we do at the Met Office.

Portable offices in the desert

  1. Provide the National Severe Weather Warning Service and plays a central role in the Flood Forecasting Centre for England and Wales.
  2. Key advisors to United Kingdom and world governments on climate change, including the Nobel Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
  3. One of two World Area Forecast Centres for civil aviation.
  4. Provides weather information for the government, military, public and business.
  5. Commercial customers include: transport, utilities, media, health, agriculture, insurance, telecoms, retail, manufacturing, construction.

You can find out more information in the About us area of the website.

If you can't find what you are looking for here then you can contact the Press Office or check some of the useful links to other related organisations.

Images on this website are for use of the Met Office only, please do not download. If you require images please contact the Press Office.

  • Our team of regional PWS Advisors work with the emergency planning community

    Essential Guide to the Weather

    We have teamed up with the Telegraph to produce two stunning guides to the weather, free inside The Telegraph on 9 & 10 March 2013.

  • Ice and snow affecting the UK

    Our role

    As the UK's official weather service we play a vital role in helping the country be aware of, and cope during, times of extreme weather.

  • Big Ben

    Appraisal of Met Office science at Commons review

    Throughout this autumn the Science and Technology Select Committee at the House of Commons has been carrying out a review into the role of the Met Office and its science. After hearing extensive evidence the committee is now preparing a detailed report.

  • Ongoing dry weather can have an impact on water resources in the UK

    Drought

    What is a drought? Who is responsible for what during a drought. Droughts and climate change.

  • Richardson first put forward the idea of creating a weather forecast using dynamic equations

    Supercomputers

    Supercomputers have become fundamental to modern forecasting.

  • River Thames flood barrier

    Climate change strategies

    Dr Vicky Pope discusses how climate science information should be used to help decision-makers.

  • You often see rainbows when the weather is showery

    The science of 'probability of precipitation'

    Even as world leaders in forecasting, there are sometimes limitations to what we can predict. Instead we highlight the confidence in a weather forecast to give people a clear picture of any uncertainties.

  • Countries with Met Office publication co-authorship (click to see interactive map)

    Globally connected

    The Met Office works with international partners around the world to maintain its world leading science and research.

  • 1953 east coast flood

    1953 east coast flood

    The 31 January marks the 60th anniversary of the East coast floods - described as the worst national peacetime disaster to hit the UK.

  • 2012 weather summary infographic

    Weather highlights from 2012 including the hottest day, wettest month and deepest snow.

Last Updated: 31 January 2013

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