Weather forecasting is not really an exact science, but wouldn't it be good to know the latest forecasts at any time for the area you're in?

A new website, Netweather.tv, claims to do just that. It is offering subscribers SMS text warnings of imminent downpours for specific UK locations.

Type "SW19" into the search engine on the website before setting off for Wimbledon on a sunny day and while you are on your way, the service will send you a text message with the latest weather updates.

The forecasts are sensitive to within a few miles and are updated as often as every 15 minutes. Those that should potentially benefit from using the service include farmers, mountaineers, festival goers and ticket holders to outdoor events such as the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

"If you're putting the washing out to dry, or thinking of having a barbeque, a text message rain warning could make your life a lot easier," said Paul Michaelwaite, managing director of Netweather.tv.

The website receives updates every quarter of an hour from the Met Office's network of 14 radar stations, which senses rain in the sky and gauges its intensity.

Once users have entered a postcode, weather-watchers can request alerts when rain is still 30 miles away. The monthly subscription fee is likely to be about £4.50 for unlimited alerts.