The power of weather intelligence

For us, it means we can empower the public, government and industry to make smarter decisions with serious impact.

And how do we do that? Well, the Met Office is more than a weather forecaster. We are a world leader in weather and climate innovation. We continuously invest in ground-breaking technologies, including enhanced super-computing and AI-powered forecasting, to provide more accurate, reliable and useful weather intelligence.

Our innovation-led expertise drives economic growth, strengthens UK resilience, keeps people safe and supports a thriving society. We’re not just forecasting the future, we are shaping it.

This impact is backed by evidence: an independent study estimates the Met Office will deliver £56 billion in value over the next decade - a return of £18.80 for every £1 invested!

Here are some of the ways we use the power of weather intelligence to support our stakeholders and customers…

Monitoring space weather impacts

As one of only a handful of 24/7 space weather prediction centres around the globe, we monitor space weather to mitigate potential impacts of solar storms on critical infrastructure. As we become more reliant on technology and systems such as satellites, GPS, and radio communications this is critical to keep services connected when it matters most. Learn more about space weather impacts and how forecasts can make a difference.

Intelligence: The Met Office Space Weather Operations Centre (MOSWOC) tracks solar storms in space - delivering advance forecasts to communications networks before they hit.

Decision: Satellites can plan accordingly to minimise connection disruption.

Impact: Keeps services connected when they matter most.

Supporting energy operations

Our accurate weather forecasts and climate information enables us to support energy operations both on- and offshore. One example is our partnership with the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO), who use our data to forecast solar energy. This enables energy operators to make smarter calls on when to use, store, or boost clean energy. And results in greater operational efficiency, improved resilience and reduced costs. Find out more about our work in the energy sector.

Intelligence: Met Office data used to forecast solar energy. 

Decision: Energy operators make smarter calls on when to use, store, or boost clean energy. 

Impact: Greater operational efficiency, improved resilience and reduced costs. 

Saving lives in a heatwave

By working together with the UK Health Security Agency to improve heat health alerts that can forewarn health professionals of the impacts of hot weather, we can help health services to plan effectively and provide patient advice. In turn, this results in reduced pressure on the health care system, saved lives and an estimated saving of £110m in public health costs.

Intelligence: Improved heat health alerts* forewarn health professionals of the impacts of hot weather 

Decision: Health services can plan effectively and provide patient advice  

Impact: Reduces pressure on the health care system, saves lives and saves £110m in public health costs.

Supporting aviation fuel efficiency

A partnership with AVTECH Sweden AB incorporates our high-resolution aviation weather forecasts into the company’s real-time flight optimisation software. This results in flight path optimisation and fuel efficiency with savings of 1.44% per flight. Find out more about this project.

Intelligence: Hourly wind speed forecasts accurate to a 10km resolution help power AVTECH’s Flight Level Optimisation technology. 

Decision: Pilots can adjust flight paths, optimising fuel efficiency in the air. 

Impact: 1.44% of fuel saved per flight. 

What we do is not just about weather forecasts.  It’s about stronger resilience, smarter operations, and a safer, more sustainable future.  

 That’s the power of weather intelligence.