How to read a weather forecast

This guide explains what each block of data on Aether Weather represents, how to use it, and which numbers are easiest to misread. Everything comes from forecast models and public APIs — understanding their limits usually matters more than memorising a single value.

Three forecasts, three jobs

Current conditions

“Current” is the latest model value, refreshed roughly every 15 to 30 minutes. It answers “what is it like right now”: temperature, feels-like, wind, humidity, pressure and visibility. Check it before leaving, but treat it as an interpolated grid value rather than an official station reading.

Hourly forecast

The hourly view lists temperature, precipitation probability, wind and UV for the next two days. Use it to plan a specific part of the day — a run at 7 a.m., or the window between showers. The further out an hour is, the less certain it becomes, so read it as a trend rather than a timetable.

10-day forecast

The 10-day view gives daily highs, lows and rain probability, enough to judge clothing and travel plans for the week. Beyond about day seven, focus on direction — turning colder, a wet spell — instead of exact degrees.

What the metrics actually mean

Feels-like temperature

Feels-like combines air temperature with humidity, wind and sunlight. On a humid summer day it runs above the air temperature; on a windy winter day it runs below. It is closer to what you experience outdoors than the raw thermometer value.

Dew point and humidity

The dew point is the temperature air must cool to before moisture starts condensing. The closer it is to the air temperature, the muggier it feels; a clearly lower dew point means dry, crisp air. Relative humidity changes with temperature, so the percentage alone is easy to misread.

Chance of rain

Precipitation probability is the likelihood of measurable rain in that area during that period. It is not a rainfall amount, and it does not mean it will definitely rain. A 60% chance means an umbrella is worth taking, not that 60% of the rain will fall.

UV index

From UV 3 upwards, sun protection is advisable; at 6 or above, avoid long exposure around midday. UV can still be high under cloud, especially at altitude or where snow reflects sunlight.

Air quality

The site shows both the European and US AQI scales; lower values mean cleaner air. Sensitive groups should cut back on prolonged outdoor activity once levels reach “moderate” or above. AQI is a health reference, not a visibility reading.

Visibility and pressure

Low visibility usually comes from fog, haze, heavy rain or dust. A steadily falling pressure often signals an approaching weather system, with more cloud or wind to follow. A single reading means little; the trend over a few hours is more useful.

Sunrise, sunset and moon phase

Sunrise and sunset affect how the day feels, your commute and outdoor safety. Moon phase is mainly a reference for night-time plans. Both are calculated astronomically and do not change with cloud cover.

Using this site

  1. Search or locate: type a city into the search box to look up weather worldwide. The location button uses your browser’s coordinates and only reads them after you grant permission.
  2. Switch units: toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit with one tap; the whole page updates without reloading.
  3. Let it refresh: data updates silently every 30 minutes, and choosing a new city fetches fresh data immediately.
  4. Add to home screen: if you check often, add the site to your phone’s home screen and open it like an app.

Common misconceptions

A forecast is not a promise

A forecast is the most likely future state given current data. Small changes in a weather system can move rain earlier or later, so a “cloudy” day can still bring a passing shower.

Models disagree

Different agencies use different models, resolutions and initial data, so two forecasts for the same hour can legitimately differ. Rather than asking which one is “right”, check whether they point to the same trend.

Extreme weather: follow official warnings

For typhoons, heavy rain, heatwaves and other extremes, follow the warnings issued by your local meteorological service. This site is for everyday planning, not a substitute for official alerts or professional advice.

Back to live weather Data sources and FAQs

This page is written to help you interpret weather data; it is not professional meteorological advice.