MAVIS FAQs

To access MAVIS, please visit mavis.metoffice.gov.uk and complete the sign-up process. MAVIS is in beta which means it is operational and ready to use whilst we continue to improve and expand the service based on user feedback.

Can I use my existing account?

If you already use Met Office services like Hazard Manager, you can log in to MAVIS with those credentials. If your account is only for an aviation service that MAVIS replaces, please create a new Met Office account on the MAVIS login page.

Is MAVIS operational and safe to use?

Yes. MAVIS is operational and safe to use. We continue to improve and expand the service based on user feedback.

What is happening to my existing services?

ABS, Helibrief and OpenRunway have been discontinued and no longer function from 24 March 2026. These services are now available through the Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation service.

What is happening with Aviation Briefing Service (ABS) premium?

Currrently a premium service is not offered in MAVIS to replicate Aviation Briefing Service (ABS) Premium. Development is planned for 2026, but a specific timeline is not yet set. If you have questions about your existing subscription or concerns about what you can access, please contact [email protected].

Can I pay to access the other features in MAVIS?

MAVIS is merging several services, which may allow you to access data that was previously unavailable. If your organisation has previously used OpenRunwayTM, or if you're a new organisation interested in MAVIS's products, please get in touch with your account manager or send an email to [email protected].

MAVIS seems to log me out regularly. Is it possible to make login easier or remember my session?

MAVIS automatically logs users out after one hour of inactivity for security reasons. We understand this can be inconvenient and are working to safely extend session timeouts. Although a solution has not yet been finalised, improving the login process remains a key focus.

Can I set a default home location or opening page?

We understand that users have preferred starting points, whether that's a particular airfield or geographic region. While MAVIS does not currently save individual preferences on login, we are working on adding a 'home base' feature so you can choose a default location or page to open with. Improving this function is a priority, as we want to deliver an enhanced user experience from the beginning of each session. If there are other default settings you would find useful, we invite you to share your feedback.

Can I get a mobile app or better offline access?

While a native application is not available in the App Store or Google Play, MAVIS is offered as a Progressive Web App (PWA). A PWA is essentially the website in a format that can be installed on your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to launch MAVIS directly from your home screen and experience functionality like a native app. The PWA version of MAVIS is optimised for usability, it can cache data to enable faster loading times and will continue to display critical information even during brief connectivity interruptions. Although it does not provide complete offline access, it represents significant progress toward improved reliability in areas with limited network coverage. To install the MAVIS PWA, go into settings on MAVIS and click on ‘install MAVIS as a progressive web app on your Android or Apple device.

Will the cloud, fog and precipitation map layer be made available in MAVIS?

The combined cloud, fog and precipitation map layer is not yet available in MAVIS. For the first iteration of MAVIS (pre-March 2026), only single map layers were prioritised. Cloud Base and Precipitation Rate are available now, and Fog will appear in the next few weeks. We have received a lot of feedback from users highlighting the necessity of the combined map layer to their operations/decision making and we have taken this onboard. As such, it’s being treated as ‘high priority’ and something we aim to develop as soon as we can. In addition, we have been asked by users if cloud base below 1000ft can be shown in increments, a feature that has not been available before. As such, the cloud base map layer is also being refreshed and will be available to users in early April.

The surface visibility map layer is a useful alternative map layer to understand where in the UK there is reduced visibility, due to fog or low cloud and should be used.

Why can I not see all the data, products or locations I am used to?

MAVIS is currently in Beta, so some data, map layers, locations, and features may be unavailable. Full functionality and data will be provided once development is complete.

Why can I see map layers that I am not used to seeing?

As the service is under development, you may see more data or map layers than usual. This is due to access management development and does not guarantee continued access. The Met Office may limit or alter the access to data hosted within MAVIS at any time.

Why are some data layers missing?

Some users have noticed that certain layers from our previous systems aren't showing in MAVIS. Our objective is to make all essential layers available in MAVIS, and we've already added many map layers for different user groups and organisations. Please log in with your organisation's account, as some layers are only accessible to specific groups. If you need a layer that hasn't been added yet, please contact us via email or through the feedback form. We'll do our best to help you locate it or ensure it's included. Your feedback guides us in deciding which layers to add next.

Can I see multiple weather layers combined?

We're actively collecting feedback on useful layer combinations. We understand many users want to view multiple weather layers at once, like cloud, fog, and precipitation, as provided in some legacy tools. We're developing this feature for MAVIS and making it a priority, despite its complexity. Look out for updates and keep sending your preferred layer combinations.

Can I set my own weather thresholds?

We recognize that standard Red/Amber/Green alerts aren’t ideal for everyone. Different users have varying definitions for alert levels, like VFR versus IFR flying or day versus night operations. We're developing a MAVIS feature that allows organizations to set custom weather thresholds, offering more control over alert statuses. If you have specific requirements, please contact us.

Can you add more airfields?

MAVIS is designed to include all major airfields and sites necessary for our user groups, though we acknowledge that some locations may still be missing or require updates. Currently, sites displayed in grey indicate that we are awaiting data, whereas if it’s black, the site does not produce TAFs/METARs; these can be toggled off if they are not needed. MAVIS is still in beta, so we are continually adding more sites and data. If a required airfield or location is absent, please notify us so we can try and include it in future updates.

Can you let us pin custom locations?

The option to pin custom locations is now available. The customisation section of the user guide, located within the MAVIS product, shows how to pin locations.

What do the map’s colours mean? I can’t find any legend or key for the color-coded layers.

Users have expressed concerns about the visibility of a legend for colour-coded layers. In response to this feedback, we have enhanced the accessibility of the map legend. After selecting a weather layer, you will find a Map Key toggle positioned at the top-right corner of the map (replacing the previous ‘i’ information icon). By clicking this toggle, the complete colour legend will be displayed. Should you require further clarification, please contact us. We are committed to ensuring the map remains clear and informative.

Users have raised concerns regarding the visibility of legends for colour-coded map layers. In response, we have improved legend accessibility. Upon selecting a weather layer, a Map Key toggle will now appear at the top-right corner of the map, replacing the previous ‘i’ information icon. Clicking this toggle reveals the full colour legend. For any additional clarification, please contact us. We remain dedicated to maintaining a clear and informative map experience.

Can METARs/TAFs be easier to read? A decoded or better formatted output would help.

Many users have requested an easier-to-read version of METARs and TAFs. We are actively working on a feature to display METAR/TAF information in a more user-friendly format, adhering to Civil Aviation Authority guidelines to ensure accuracy. If there are specific aspects of these codes that you find challenging to interpret, please let us know as your feedback will help us determine which areas to simplify first.

Can I get a better visual for wind data?

We have received feedback indicating that the current wind arrows can be challenging to interpret, particularly when precise wind speeds or directions are needed. We understand the importance of clarity and recognise that displaying numerical values alongside the arrows would greatly improve usability. We are actively investigating enhancements to MAVIS wind data visuals, including options for presenting numeric information. This improvement is under consideration as part of our ongoing efforts to make the tool more intuitive and beneficial for decision-making.

Can I click the map to get actual values? It’s hard to interpret just colours.

We understand the value of enabling users to interact with the map for exact values, as relying solely on colour gradients can be challenging. We intend to provide this feature; however, it requires substantial changes to the underlying MAVIS infrastructure, particularly in how map layers and server data are managed. This is a significant undertaking, and our team is currently evaluating efficient approaches that will not hinder progress on other key priorities. The feature is included in our development roadmap, though its completion will require additional time to ensure accuracy and reliability. We appreciate your patience and encourage continued feedback, as understanding which values are most important to our users informs the design of an effective solution.

How can I easily print or save the official charts (e.g. F214/F215)?

MAVIS now features a one-click download option for these charts. When viewing an F214 or F215 report in MAVIS, simply select the download button located at the top right corner to save the chart as a PDF for offline reference or printing. We hope this update enhances your pre-flight planning experience. Please try the new feature and share any feedback regarding its functionality. If there are any additional charts or documents you would like easier access to, we welcome your suggestions.

Where is the page listing all METARs/TAFs for a region?

We understand the importance of regional METAR/TAF summaries and ‘print packs’ offered in previous helicopter products, which provided users with a clear overview of conditions across an area. We are actively working to incorporate similar functionality into MAVIS. Our aim is to provide easy access to regional METARs and TAFs for quick and complete situational awareness. In addition, customisable briefing packs are included in our development roadmap. If you have preferences regarding specific regions or formats to be considered, please share your feedback. Your insights are instrumental in shaping this feature to best meet your operational needs.

Is there a guidance document I can refer to?

There is a user guide with the MAVIS service. Click on the drop down menu (top left) within MAVIS to access the guide.

What do I do if I need additional help/support?

Please contact t [email protected] for additional support.

Where can I report a problem?

To report a problem with the MAVIS service, please primarily use the inbuilt functionality in the main menu of the application. If you have issues with this functionality, access, or any other issue preventing you from using this mechanism, please contact t [email protected].

Where can I provide feedback?

There is an inbuilt feedback mechanism in the main menu in the MAVIS application. Please primarily use this to provide feedback, however if you are having issues with this functionality, or feel it more appropriate to provide your feedback directly, please contact t [email protected].

Is MAVIS named after Mavis Hinds?
While MAVIS stands for Met Office Aeronautical Visualisation Service, we're proud that the name also echoes Mavis Hinds, a pioneering programmer who worked at the Met Office in the early 1950s. Mavis helped revolutionise weather forecasting by pioneering the use of computers in numerical weather prediction, turning calculations that took hours into processes that ran in minutes. Like our platform today, her work transformed complex data into valuable insights. You can read Mavis's own account of her groundbreaking work in Met Mag in our own archives (pages 61-89) and learn more in this article about her contribution to UK IT.

Do you have a document that I can share with my team or in our intranet?

Yes, you can download a PDF with concise information about MAVIS to share with your team and on your intranet here.

Are the Met Office providing refunds for ABS Premium Subscriptions?

ABS Premium users may be eligible for a refund for their ABS subscription if they purchased this before 4^th August 2025. Any purchases made after this date, would not qualify for a refund. This is because the Met Office altered the pricing after the 4^th August and confirmed ABS would be retired at the end of March 2026.

Do you have an offering for rotary aircraft?

Any user is welcome to register and use MAVIS, however the information previously supplied to HeliBrief users, is now in MAVIS.

Provided by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), this level of information ensures operational safety and is tailored for rotary aircraft.

Designed with user and CAA consultation, it offers compliant, reliable, and up-to-date information 24/7, 365 days a year.

Accessible on desktop/laptop PCs, mobile, and tablet devices, it provides flexible viewing options for the following helicopter sectors:

Offshore helicopter operators

UK Search & Rescue (SAR) operations

UK police air service operations

UK Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operators

How are the wind gust values, in the ballooning forecast, derived?

The wind gust values used in the ballooning forecast are calculated from a high-resolution model and should give a good guide to gusts in the type of light wind conditions that balloonists are interested in.

However, there are a few things to be aware of:

When the mean wind speed is greater than 15kts the gust speeds shown tend to be higher than is realistic. Please note that where you see gust speeds elsewhere on Met Office products they calculate gust speeds in a different way, which gives more accurate values at higher mean wind speeds. (It is recognised that balloons do not normally fly when the surface mean wind speed is greater than 15 kts; the forecast model chosen should give a good guide to gusts when mean wind speed is below 15 kts.)

The high resolution model used to calculate the gust speeds uses a modelling methodology called ‘Best Data’. Best Data is used to forecast the most likely meteorological conditions for a particular location and at specific times, including gusts, showers and other elements. The gusts forecasts provided are therefore influenced by the other meteorological parameters also being forecast for that same time/location. For example, if a forecast for Bath at 1400 coincides with a forecast shower at that time and location, the gust from the associated downdraught would be presented in the forecast. If that shower did not materialise (or occurred just a few kilometres away), the actual gustiness at the balloon location at that time would likely be lower than forecast.

Showers/thunderstorms may not always form in the exact location shown in the forecast, and the potential for these stronger gusts will move with it. While appreciating the weather sensitivity of balloons and, given the inherent uncertainties of site specific forecasting, it is important to recognise the value of airmanship and observation when planning, to account for these uncertainties.

What are the wind/temperature profile validity and issue times? (Applies to ballooning only)

The graphics are valid for:

0600 and 1800 UTC between 15 March and 30 September

0900 and 1500 between 1 October and 14 March

Both will be updated around 0230, 0830, 1430 and 2030 UTC.

What are the text forecast validity and issue times? (Applies to ballooning only)

All times are UTC

Updated forecasts will be displayed shortly after the time of issue

(Summer) 15 March until 30 September

Morning forecast

Issue time:  8.30pm the previous day

Period of validity: 4am to 10am

Outlook: 3 hour period to dusk

Morning forecast

Issue time: 2.30am

Period of validity: 4am to 10am

Outlook: 3 hour period to dusk

Afternoon/evening forecast

Issue time: 8.30am

Period of validity: 3pm to 9pm

Outlook: Dawn to 3 hours after dawn the next day

Afternoon/evening forecast

Issue time: 2.30pm

Period of validity: 3pm to 9pm

Outlook: Dawn to 3 hours after dawn the next day

(Winter) 1 October until 14 March

Morning forecast

Issue time: 8.30pm the previous day

Period of validity: 5am to 11am

Outlook 3 hour period to dusk

Morning forecast

Issue time: 2.30am

Period of validity: 5am to 11am

Outlook: Midday to dusk

Afternoon/evening forecast

Issue time: 8.30am

Period of validity: 12pm to 6pm

Outlook: Dawn to midday the next day

Afternoon/evening forecast

Issue time: 2.30pm

Period of validity: 12pm to 6pm

Outlook: Dawn to midday the next day

Summary of site-specific data available to balloonists

The following table describes the forecasts that balloonists are able to view at any given time.

All times are UTC

Updated forecasts will be displayed shortly after the time of issue

Examples:

at 0830, the full current AM and PM forecasts will be issued, along with site specific model data for following morning

by 2030, the full current PM and tomorrow’s AM forecasts will be issued, along with site specific model data for tomorrow afternoon.

‘Full forecast’ contain all site specific model and forecaster data

‘Data only’ contains just site specific model data

TIME	AM TODAY	AM TOMORROW	PM TOMORROW
00:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
00:30	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
01:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
01:30	Full forecast	data only (updated)	not applicable
02:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
02:30	Full forecast (updated)	data only	not applicable
03:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
03:30	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
04:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
04:30	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
05:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
05:30	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
06:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
06:30	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
07:00	Full forecast	data only	not applicable
07:30	Full forecast	data only	data only (issued 0745)
08:00	Full forecast	data only	data only
08:30	Full forecast	Full forecast (issued)	data only
09:00	Full forecast	Full forecast	data only
09:30	Full forecast	Full forecast	data only
10:00	Full forecast	Full forecast	data only
10:30	Full forecast	Full forecast	data only
11:00	Full forecast	Full forecast	data only
11:30	Full forecast	Full forecast	data only
12:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
12:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
13:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
13:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only (updated)
14:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
14:30	not applicable	Full forecast (updated)	data only
15:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
15:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
16:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
16:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
17:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
17:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
18:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
18:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
19:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
19:30	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
20:00	not applicable	Full forecast	data only
20:30	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast (issued)
21:00	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast
21:30	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast
22:00	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast
22:30	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast
23:00	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast
23:30	not applicable	Full forecast	Full forecast

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