Understanding how weather affects communities and everyday life.
Forecasting, with a purpose.
Weather shapes the places we live, the communities we belong to and the decisions we make every day.
From agriculture and transport to local economies and public safety, its impacts extend far beyond the atmosphere. As our climate changes, extreme weather can expose existing inequalities and affect communities differently depending on their geography, resources and ability to prepare.
At IMBER, we believe access to reliable weather information should not be a privilege. Our mission is to make meteorological data more open, accessible and understandable, helping people make informed decisions and communities build resilience in a changing world.
Better forecasting isn't just about understanding the weather. It's about understanding what it means for people.
Supporting decisions that reduce exposure and improve preparedness.
Helping everyone explore and reuse meteorological information.
WHY FORECASTING MATTERS
Forecasts can make a difference beyond the weather.
Useful forecasts can give people and organisations time to prepare, especially when information is communicated clearly and paired with practical action. IMBER wants to contribute by making open weather data easier to understand and use.
Flood preparedness
Early information can support protective measures and local planning ahead of heavy rainfall.
Transport
Advance warnings of wind, rain or ice can inform safer and more reliable journeys.
Agriculture
Weather guidance can inform planting, harvesting, frost preparation and livestock care.
Health & heat
Clearer information can support planning for heat exposure and vulnerable people.
Infrastructure
Weather-sensitive services can plan maintenance and prepare for disruption.
These are examples of where effective forecasting can help. They are not claims of measured impact by IMBER; official weather warnings and emergency advice should always be followed.
OPEN DATA, MADE USEFUL
From observation to understanding.
Much valuable meteorological data is publicly available, but it can be difficult to locate, interpret and compare. We're developing tools that help bridge the distance between technical datasets and the people who depend on them.
01 / SOURCEOpen meteorological dataWeather models and radar observations
02 / INTERPRETIMBER processingClear units, provenance and limitations
03 / EMPOWERPeople & communitiesAccessible forecasts, maps and APIs
BUILDING WITH COMMUNITIES
Weather is local. Its impacts are not equal.
Coastal communities, cities, rural households and farmers may experience the same weather system in very different ways. Geography, infrastructure and access to resources all influence the capacity to respond.
As IMBER grows, we want feedback from communities, researchers, businesses and developers to shape tools that are useful in real places — not just impressive on a screen.
Our ambition
To help bring the benefits of meteorological science to more people, through transparent forecasting, open data and technology designed around practical needs.
OUR ROOTS & FUTURE
Independent by design.
IMBER was founded in 2026 by Benjamin Raisanen, building on the experience of St Nicholas Weather, an independent weather-observation project established in the Vale of Glamorgan in 2021. The project connects an interest in meteorology with human geography — the relationship between environmental conditions, people and place.
Today, IMBER uses openly available Met Office model data and radar observations to provide UK forecasts and rainfall visualisations. Future ambitions include broader model comparison, more useful community-focused tools and expanded data access. Features still in development will be identified as such.
FOUNDER & OPEN DEVELOPMENT
Built openly, led independently.
IMBER was founded and is led by Benjamin Raisanen, founder and lead developer. Follow project development through our public GitHub repository.
The public repository currently contains WordPress plugin source and historical versions; it does not include every component of the forecasting infrastructure.
Website development
IMBER's website has been developed with assistance from OpenAI's GPT-6.0 for coding, design and technical development. The project remains independently managed, with human review of changes.
Forecast information and safety
IMBER is an independent weather information service, not an official warning provider. Forecasts have uncertainty and may not represent conditions at a precise location. For severe weather, follow official Met Office warnings and local emergency guidance.