DataPoint 2025 retirement FAQs
Met Office DataPoint will be retired on 1 December 2025. Please see below the most recent frequently asked questions (FAQs) about this change.
Why has the Met Office stopped new customer registrations to the DataPoint service?
The Met Office has taken the decision to stop new customer registrations to the DataPoint service. This is because the product has a planned retirement on 1 December 2025. To support this process we need to stop new customer registrations to manage the retirement process with our existing users.
Also, DataPoint is an unsupported service, therefore stopping new users from accessing the service reduces the risk of potential issues causing customer impacts.
Any potential customers looking to access Met Office data products see our weather and climate data page.
Existing users can obtain their DataPoint API Key on the API webpage and, if already subscribed, click the DataPoint icon once logged in to Met Office login.
Is there a replacement service for DataPoint?
There is no like-for-like replacement for the DataPoint service. The Met Office has a range of weather and climate data for customers to access via various channels. More information is available on our data webpages or in the FAQ’s below.
Can I access the same product as I do through DataPoint?
There is no like-for-like replacement for the DataPoint service. Therefore, you will be unable to access the same product in the same format or under the same pricing model. In these FAQ’s we have provided the most suitable alternative for each product currently on DataPoint.
Why does the Met Office charge for access to some data services?
More information can be found on the Met Office pricing policy webpages.
Following the retirement of DataPoint will the Met Office still comply with all applicable policies and regulations on making meteorological and public data available?
The Met Office has a wide range of services that enable access to data for re-use, in line with our Open Data Policy. These include Weather DataHub and new access to our data via open data platforms.
How can I access UK site-specific forecast data?
Global site-specific forecast data is available on Weather DataHub. The products available include Global Spot Data and Site-Specific Blended Probabilistic Forecast Data. Weather DataHub offers access to detailed and customisable weather data and has a range of flexible plans and payment tiers.
How can I access UK site-specific observation data?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the UK site-specific observation data. However, a new observation data service is currently under-development and will be delivered via an open data platform in Summer 2025. There are differences in the parameters that will be available via the new product compared to the DataPoint product - see below table for data availability. This is a product that will continue to evolve and new parameters may be available in the future depending on demand.
| Parameter | New data platform | DataPoint |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Yes | Yes |
| Humidity | Yes | No |
| Mean sea level pressure | Yes | No |
| Pressure tendency | Yes | Yes |
| Weather code | Yes | No |
| Wind direction | Yes | Yes |
| Wind speed | Yes | Yes |
| Wind gust | Yes | Yes |
| Visibility | Yes | Yes |
| Dew point | No | Yes |
| Screen relative humidity | No | Yes |
| Weather type | No | Yes |
| Pressure | No | Yes |
How can I access UK daily weather extremes (observations) data?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the UK daily extremes data. Once DataPoint is retired this product will only be available to view on our weather extremes webpages.
How can I access Surface Pressure imagery?
Surface Pressure imagery is available on Weather DataHub, our data API service. This product is called ‘Pressure reduced to mean sea level’ and is available as part of our Map Images offering. Weather DataHub offers access to detailed and customisable weather data and has a range of flexible plans and payment tiers.
How can I access Radar composite imagery?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the Datapoint Radar Composite API. However, Met Office does make radar composite available via our Data Provisioning Team for a charge. To find out more please contact our Data Provisioning Team via email.
How can I access Regional Text Forecasts?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the Regional Text Forecasts API. Once DataPoint is retired this product will only be available to view on our UK forecast web pages. From the UK page scroll down to find the link to every UK region we produce the written forecast for.
How can I access Infrared and Visible Satellite imagery?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the infrared or visible Satellite imagery API’s. However, Met Office does make satellite imagery and data available via our Data Provisioning Team for a charge. To find out more please contact our Data Provisioning Team via email.
How can I access Temperature imagery?
Temperature imagery is available on Weather DataHub, our data API service. This product is called ‘Temperature at the surface’ and is available as part of our Map Images offering. Weather DataHub offers access to detailed and customisable weather data and has a range of flexible plans and payment tiers.
How can I access Total Cloud Cover imagery?
Total cloud cover imagery is available on Weather DataHub, our data API service. This product is called ‘Total cloud cover’ and is available as part of our Map Images offering. Weather DataHub offers access to detailed and customisable weather data and has a range of flexible plans and payment tiers.
How can I access Precipitation Rate imagery?
Precipitation Rate imagery is available on Weather DataHub, our data API service. This product is called ‘Precipitation rate’ and is available as part of our Map Images offering. Weather DataHub offers access to detailed and customisable weather data and has a range of flexible plans and payment tiers.
How can I access Total Cloud Cover and Precipitation Rate overlaid imagery?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the total cloud cover and precipitation rate overlaid imagery API. Please refer to separate answers on how to access total cloud cover and precipitation rate imagery once DataPoint is retired.
How can I access marine observations data?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the marine pbservations API. However, Met Office does make marine observations data available via our Data Provisioning Team for a charge. To find out more please contact our Data Provisioning Team via email.
How can I access Atlantic layer imagery?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the Atlantic layer imagery. However, several imagery layers are available on Weather DataHub, our data API service, as part of our Map Images offering. Weather DataHub offers access to detailed and customisable weather data and has a range of flexible plans and payment tiers.
How can I access lightning imagery?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the Lightning imagery API. However, Met Office does make lightning data available via our Data Provisioning Team for a charge. To find out more please contact our Data Provisioning Team via email.
How can I access Mountain Weather data?
There is no like-for-like replacement service for the Mountain Weather API. Once DataPoint is retired this product will only be available to view on our mountain forecast webpages. If you are looking to use this information on your own website there is also a Mountain Weather Widget available.