Did the London Eye Predict the Weather? The Truth Behind the Colours
Wait — Did the London Eye Really Predict the Weather?
You’ve probably seen it:
The London Eye glowing an eerie blue one evening… then pulsing red another.
You pause, wonder what it means, then move on. But here’s the twist —
At one point, the London Eye actually did forecast the weather.
Seriously.
For a brief but brilliant window in the 2010s, one of London’s most iconic landmarks became a real-time weather beacon — and almost no one noticed.
Let’s unravel the truth behind the Eye’s mysterious colours, the tech that made it possible, and whether it still offers clues about the weather today.
A Giant Observation Wheel — And a Sky-Watching Gadget?
Launched in 2000 as part of London’s millennium celebrations, the London Eye quickly became one of the city’s top attractions. Standing 135 metres tall, it offers 360° views of the capital — and thanks to its lighting system, it’s also visible across the skyline at night.
But starting in 2012, the Eye’s lights weren’t just decorative.
They were part of a live weather prediction experiment, powered by cutting-edge technology from EDF Energy and BT.
The London Eye as a Weather Beacon (2012–2014)
For about two years, the London Eye displayed a colour-coded weather forecast every evening at 8 PM, using a clever system of lights and movement.
How it worked:
The Eye pulled real-time weather data from the Met Office.
It used a custom lighting algorithm to predict the weather for the next day.
The lights changed colour and motion to match what was coming.
What the colours meant:
Blue – Clear skies
Green – Cloudy or overcast
Red – Rain
White/pulsing – Snow or fog
Sometimes the lights would scroll upward or downward depending on the expected temperature change — a unique blend of art and science.
Why Don’t People Remember It?
Simple: it was a quiet experiment.
The weather light show happened daily, but there was no major promotion, and tourists often assumed the lights were just for show.
It wasn’t publicised loudly, and many Londoners didn’t realise what they were seeing.
Even those who noticed the colours rarely connected them to a real forecast.
Who Created It?
The project was run by:
EDF Energy – then the official sponsor of the London Eye
In partnership with BT
Using live feeds from the UK Met Office
It was part of EDF’s push for energy awareness and interactive public tech — and honestly, it was way ahead of its time.
Why Did It Stop?
In 2014, EDF ended its sponsorship of the Eye.
After that, the weather forecasting system was quietly retired. The lighting system was handed over to Coca-Cola, Lastminute.com, and now Riverside Group — none of whom continued the live weather colours.
Since then, the lights are used for:
Holidays (e.g., red & green for Christmas)
Events (e.g., Pride rainbow in June)
Brand campaigns
Special causes (e.g., NHS blue during the pandemic)
Could It Work Again?
Yes — technically, the lighting rig is still there, and could easily be programmed to run weather-based colours again.
But it would take:
A sponsor willing to fund it
Public interest
Clear signage or social engagement so people know what the colours mean
Until then, the Eye remains colourful — but not meteorological.
So… What Do the Colours on the London Eye Actually Mean Now?
The London Eye doesn’t predict the weather anymore — but it still changes colours, and each shade sends a message:
Blue lights typically represent support or unity. It’s often used during awareness campaigns or moments of solidarity — for example, NHS tribute nights or national remembrance events.
Red is a bold, attention-grabbing colour that usually signals celebration or urgency. It’s often used for big sporting victories (like when England wins a major match), national holidays, or London Pride.
Green usually appears during environmental campaigns or sustainability-themed events, such as Earth Hour or World Environment Day.
Pink or Rainbow colours are often linked to LGBTQ+ celebrations, especially during Pride Month or major inclusivity campaigns in the city.
Purple is reserved for commemorative occasions — think royal milestones, memorial tributes, or events like Remembrance Sunday.
White lighting is often used for elegance or neutrality — it’s the default when no special event is happening, but also used for formal occasions or moments of silence.
Did People Really Use It for the Forecast?
Surprisingly, yes — for a while.
Some Londoners began to trust the Eye more than their app.
If it was red at night, they’d bring an umbrella.
If it glowed blue, sunglasses came out.
It was unofficial, but oddly accurate — because it pulled real Met Office data.
The Legacy of the London Eye Forecast
The weather-light experiment may have ended, but it left a quiet legacy:
It proved public landmarks can be functional, not just pretty
It inspired other cities to experiment with data-driven lighting (e.g., Berlin, Singapore)
It made Londoners briefly more weather-aware — even if they didn’t know why
It also shows how much London hides in plain sight:
Even something as massive as the London Eye can quietly do science while tourists queue below.
Final Thoughts: Look Up. Ask Questions.
Next time the Eye glows an unfamiliar colour, don’t just take a photo and scroll on.
Ask:
What does it mean?
Is there a story?
Could it be trying to tell you tomorrow’s forecast — or something more?
Because in London, even the skyline has secrets.
Save this post for your next riverside stroll
Share it with a friend who loves a good urban mystery
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