Best UK Weather Apps

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Discover the best weather apps for trail and fell running in the UK — the most accurate mountain forecasts for safer days on the summits.

No single app or data provider is close to 100% accurate. The most reliable approach is to use two or three sources to cross-check forecasts and make an informed decision.

This guide outlines the most useful weather tools for UK trail and fell runners – and how to use them effectively.

For help interpreting wind speed, cloud base and freezing levels, see my guide on How to Read a Mountain Weather Forecast.

Why You Should Use More Than One Weather App

Weather forecasts are model-based predictions. Different platforms use different models and update cycles. By checking more than one source, you:

If you’re planning to run in the mountains, it’s important to dress correctly and pack appropriately, so weather insight is crucial.

These are the best weather apps for UK mountain terrain – and a suggested workflow of how you can use them.

1. Met Office Mountain Forecast – Your Foundation Forecast

–iOS + Android– –Free–

The Met Office Mountain Forecast provides region-specific forecasts for UK upland areas and National Parks.

It includes:

This should be your starting point for any mountain run.

It gives a clear, structured overview of expected conditions across major areas such as the Lake District, Snowdonia and the Scottish Highlands, with the ability to drill down and get localised forecasts for many individual peaks.

It provides forecasts seven days ahead, although it is obviously more accurate within a shorter-term window.

Use this to make your initial go / no-go judgement.

2. MWIS – Mountain Weather Information Service

–Android + Website– –Free–

MWIS provides a three-day forecast with concise summaries and a clear narrative aimed at outdoor enthusiasts. The service covers 10 UK mountain regions and is updated multiple times a day.

It’s particularly useful for:

The written summaries often explain how conditions will evolve through the day, which can be helpful if you’re planning a longer route.

Use MWIS alongside the Met Office forecast to reach a consensus.

3. Windy – Best for Visualising Weather Fronts

–iOs + Android– –Free–

Windy is particularly useful for visual learners and it also contains a comprehensive amount of weather data and customisation options.

It allows you to:

For particularly exposed routes, Windy helps you assess how cumulative factors – including wind direction – may affect your run.

This can be useful when choosing between two routes in the same region or deciding whether it would be easier to run a route in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction.

4. Rain Radars – A Short Term Decision Tool

For decisions close to departure time, radar tools are valuable. There are many options available, including the Met Office App, Windy and Zoom Earth to name a few.

They allow you to:

Rain radars are particularly useful for fine-tuning your departure times on the day. After all, it’s easier to get wet and cold near the end of your run than ten minutes after you set off.

Radar should never replace a mountain forecast, but it can inform short-term decisions.

5. Webcams and Real-World Verification

Before committing to a run, check live visual sources where available.

These can show:

In winter, webcams are especially valuable for confirming the snowline and ice presence. They provide real-world context that forecasts alone cannot.

MWIS links to a selection of live webcams for mountain locations across the UK, and many additional sources can be found with a quick Google search.

A Simple Pre-Run Weather Routine

A practical system can look like this:

1. Check Met Office Mountain Forecast
2. Read MWIS regional summary
3. Check Windy for wind strength and timing
4. Check rain radar 1–2 hours before departure
5. Review webcam or recent local reports

This process only takes a few minutes but significantly improves decision quality.

Summary

Mountain weather in the UK can change quickly and will always intensify with elevation.

Using multiple reliable sources – and interpreting them correctly – allows you to plan with clarity rather than assumption.

Weather awareness is not about avoiding a challenge. It’s about fully understanding it.