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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 13 June 2026 by the Insight Britain weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
Live data from Open-Meteo · updates automatically ·
The live forecast above shows the hourly chance of rain for London. For your exact location, check your local town page: rain timing is most reliable for the next few hours, best viewed on a rain radar for the next 1–2 hours.
How accurate are hourly rain forecasts?
Hourly rain forecasts are most reliable up to about six hours ahead. Beyond that, the precise timing of rain becomes increasingly uncertain because small changes in atmospheric pressure can shift rain bands by tens of miles. The Met Office weather model updates every few hours, so the time you see in the live forecast above may change as fresh data arrives. For the next 1–2 hours, a rain radar — which shows actual precipitation moving across the UK weather map 7 days a week — gives you the most accurate answer to “what time will it rain?”.
What does a 60% rain probability actually mean?
A rain probability of 60% means that, in similar weather patterns, rain occurred at that location six times out of ten. It does not mean 60% of the area will get wet or that it will rain for 60% of the hour. “Scattered showers” — a term often used in UK weather forecasts — typically deliver rain to less than half of a region, with dry spells in between. That is why the chance of rain can feel lower than the percentage suggests: the timing and exact location of each shower remain uncertain.
How to use a rain radar for the next 1–2 hours
Rain radar shows you where rain is falling right now and where it is heading. It is the most practical tool for answering “what time will it rain?” over the next couple of hours. Our UK weather hub includes a live radar layer: zoom into your area and watch the movement. You will see a band of rain approaching — for example, if it is 30 minutes away, you can expect rain around that time. Radar is less useful beyond three hours because rain bands can break up or change direction suddenly.
What time will it rain tomorrow?
For a general idea of tomorrow’s rain timing, the 10-day forecast provides broad time windows (morning, afternoon, evening) but not exact hours. The UK weather forecast 14 days shows longer trends, though precise timing multiple days ahead is unreliable. If a storm is expected to hit Britain this weekend, check the UK weather warnings page for urgent Met Office weather warning updates. These warnings highlight periods when heavy rain is likely, but the exact start time can shift up to 12 hours.
Why does the rain timing in the forecast keep changing?
Forecast models are constantly updated with new observations from weather stations, satellites, and aircraft. A rain band that looked on course for 3pm may slow down or speed up as data refreshes. This is normal — always check the live forecast above for the latest hour-by-hour rain probability.
What is a “scattered shower”?
A scattered shower is a rain event that affects scattered locations rather than a whole region. You could be dry while a few miles away it is pouring. This makes the timing harder to predict for a specific street. The percentage chance in the forecast reflects the likelihood of rain at your location, not the intensity or duration.
Should I trust a rain forecast for this weekend if there is a storm warning?
Yes, but only for the general risk period. A Met Office weather warning for a storm to hit Britain this weekend will specify broad time windows (e.g. Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning). For exact minutes, wait until the day before and check the live rain radar. Warnings update daily – see our warnings page for the latest.