This Cookie Policy explains how our website, powered by Concrete CMS (also known as Concrete 5), utilises cookies, Google Analytics 4 (GA4), and embedded content from Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram.

What are cookies?
Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your device (computer or mobile device) when you visit a website. They serve various purposes, including remembering your preferences, analysing site traffic, and providing personalised content.

Are all cookies the same?
No. Cookies may differ depending on their function, duration and source. Cookies can originate from different sources:

First-party cookies. Created by the website you are visiting.
Third-party cookies. Created by third-party vendors and placed by the website owner for different purposes.

There are 2 types of duration for cookies:

Session cookies. Temporary and will only be stored in the memory of your browser while it is open. As soon as the browser is closed, the cookie will be removed from your history.
Persistent cookies. Have an expiration date stuck to them. These cookies are not removed when the browser is closed but are removed after the expiry date is reached. These durations are set in accordance with the purpose served by the cookies. You can also manually delete these cookies.

You can find more information about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set on your device and how to manage and delete them, at www.aboutcookies.org and www.youronlinechoices.eu.

How we use cookies
When someone visits the website we collect standard internet log information and details of visitor behaviour patterns. We do this to find out things such as the number of visitors to the various parts of the site. We collect this information in a way which does not identify anyone. We do not make any attempt to find out the identities of those visiting the website. We will not associate any data gathered from this site with any personally identifying information from any source. If we do want to collect personally identifiable information through our website, we will be upfront about this. We will make it clear when we collect personal information and will explain what we intend to do with it.

Essential cookies
These cookies are necessary for the functioning of our website. They enable core functionality such as page navigation and access to secure areas. You cannot opt out of these cookies, as the website would not function properly without them.

Web server identification cookie (CONCRETE5).
This cookie is generated so that the web server can identify users of the site and their behaviour on the site. This cookie is temporary and expires when you close your browser.

Content Management System cookie (CONCRETE5).
This cookie is set by our Concrete CMS content management system. It stores basic information for a user to maintain the website. No personal information is stored, and it is encrypted. This cookie is temporary and expires when you close your browser.

Content Management System cookie (all start ccm).
These cookies are set by our content management system and are used to remember user-activated settings.

Analytics Cookies (Google Analytics 4)
These cookies will be introduced should you accept the use of cookies by ticking the box in the information bar that was delivered at the start of your website session. Performance cookies collect information about how visitors use a website. These cookies do not collect information that identifies a visitor. Any information collected by these cookies is anonymous. We only use such information to improve our website.

Google Analytics (_utma, _utmb, _utmc and _utmz).
These cookies are used to collect information about how visitors use our site. We use the information to compile reports and to help us improve the site. The cookies collect information in an anonymous form, including the number of visitors to the site, where visitors have come to the site from and the pages they visited.

For an overview of privacy at Google, visit www.google.com/policies/privacy.

Embedded Content Cookies
Our website may contain embedded content, such as videos from YouTube, tweets from Twitter (X), and posts from Instagram. These platforms may use cookies to track your interaction with the embedded content. We have no control over the cookies set by these third-party platforms. Please refer to their respective cookie policies for more information.

You Tube (APISID, HSID, PREF, SAPISID, SID, SSID, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE).
These cookies are needed for playing videos on our website. They are used by YouTube to store user preferences when viewing pages containing embedded video content within our website. They also collect anonymous information, e.g. how often a video is played and whether it is shared by our visitors.

For an overview of privacy at Google, visit www.google.com/policies/privacy.

Removing cookies
Some of the cookies we use are essential for parts of the site to operate and they are in place at the start of your website session. You can control and/or delete cookies as you wish. Most web browsers allow some control of most cookies through the browser settings.

To find out more about cookies, including how to see what cookies have been set and how to manage and delete them, visit www.allaboutcookies.org.

To opt out of being tracked by Google Analytics across all websites visit http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Updates to this policy We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We encourage you to review this policy periodically for any updates.

If you have any questions about the cookies that appear on the website, please contact enquiries@metoffice.gov.uk.

Last updated: April 2024.