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In recent days our WeatherRadar resolution has been upgraded, here's what's new.

There is now a finer gradation in our WeatherRadar and RainfallRadar! Previously we displayed six different levels to show the intensity of precipitation, graduating from light blue to purple.

Now, there are nine levels, which doesn't just mean more colour, but more detail! This is especially important and interesting for highlighting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

Both intensity and type determine the colour. Rain is shown in blue, but when heavy rainfall is forecast or occurring, the colour darkens to a purple hue.

Snow is light to dark pink, depending on the snowfall rate, while ice pellets and freezing rain is a reddish-orange colour.

The TemperatureRadar and WindRadar have also been upgraded with new geo-information, as you may have already noticed. The orography of hills, mountains and valleys are now displayed in these two layers.

This new display will be very helpful if you like to visit mountainous regions such as the Alps, also complimented by our new and improved Mountain & Ski feature.

Take a look inside our app now to check it out, and let us know what you think!

Last autumn we went behind the scenes to investigate the effect of our record-breaking summer on British vineyards, but how does the winter impact our wine?

Despite much of the bad news that comes with unprecedented hot weather, it comes with a rare benefit for British vineyards, who are trying to run in the big leagues.

Our autumn and winter followed remained above average in terms of temperatures, but largely still below average with precipitation. The exception being our cold spell in early December and again in early March.

A warm, dry winter can confuse the vine though, because it will begin to believe it is time to break and bloom, and if it does too soon, it becomes vulnerable, especially to any late-season frost.

A mild winter followed by a cool, wet spring is a particular concern, so the next few weeks could be vital for determining the quality of this year's harvest.

Natural sunlight is also a huge factor to the plants health and growth, and thankfully we've had quite a sunny winter, with January amounting to the second sunniest on record after 2022.

When the weather brings wet, inclement and foggy weather though, this reduces the amount of sunlight reaching the grapes, which can then impact their ripeness.

So will this year's harvest be as good as the last? Well, that all depends on the coming months. With a brief, upcoming cold spell at the end of the month, farmers will want to keep watch on their vines.

It feels like a natural part of life for us that clocks change twice a year, but it wasn’t always so.

The decision to implement daylight savings was first introduced in 1916, although Benjamin Franklin mused a similar thought back in 1784.

Historically, the change was made to provide greater length to the day by shifting an hour of sunlight to the evening. This helped farmers work longer, while also reducing energy use and allowing for greater time spent outdoors.

Today, modern forms of lighting are more energy efficient but reducing consumption remains one reason for maintaining the change. In the average home, 25% of energy use is spent on lighting during the morning and nights.

One of the primary arguments against ditching the idea altogether though, is safety. Especially in the mornings where school children would be left travelling in the dark.

A three-year trial in Scotland which implemented BST all year round saw a net increase in the number of people killed or injured while farmers worked for hours in the dark.

Some experts have called for an end to the initiative and the European Parliament voted in 2019 to end the practice across the continent.

But for now it persists, so be sure to check your clocks and watches to avoid being caught out!

The price of our olive oil is on the rise and it's because of the weather. Here's why.

The drought and heatwaves from summer of 2022 have led to a dramatic reduction in the olive harvest across regions that we rely on for production.

This led to smaller harvests for many, and with a lower supply, cost gets higher with a 30% to 50% price increase expected in the liquid gold in our supermarkets.

In Spain, where they produce approximately half the world's olive oil, production is down 50%, while in Italy it is expected to be down 37%.

Additionally in Italy, there has been a reduction in sunflower oil due to the war in Ukraine. Ukraine produces half the world's sunflower oil, so it's not just olive oil that will be on the rise.

Unfortunately, a large proportion of our crops are facing uncertainty due to the weather's increasing volatility in the face of climate change.

The clocks change overnight and while many of us love the extra daylight hours some may struggle with the change thanks to spring fatigue.

The exact cause of spring fatigue has not been scientifically classified. It is suspected that hormones, blood pressure, and nutrition play a major role.

Greater amounts of sunlight in spring activates the production of the mood-boosting hormone serotonin in the morning, while at the same time melatonin, which is responsible for sleep, is still highly active placing stress on the body.

The rising temperatures also impacts body temperature and therefore blood pressure. When it gets warm, blood vessels dilate and blood pressure drops. The result is fatigue.

Whatever the causes behind springtime fatigue, the symptoms can be actively counteracted. What the body lacked in winter can be given back to it in spring: Sun, fresh air, exercise and a vitamin-rich diet.

There is no quick fix for kicking your body into the new season but short walks and extra nutrition helps as does maintaining a regular sleep pattern in spite of the brighter mornings.