Weather symbols are small pictures that show the expected weather at a glance: a sun for clear skies, clouds for cloudy, drops for rain, snowflakes for snow and a lightning bolt for thunderstorms. Each symbol maps to one condition, so you can read the forecast in one look, without reading the details.

Why are symbols used?

Symbols are a universal, fast way to convey the weather. Instead of reading a sentence for every hour, one small picture immediately tells you whether you need an umbrella, a thick jacket or sunglasses. In the hourly and daily forecast, symbols make comparison easy: you can see where the sun gives way to cloud or rain.

What does each symbol mean?

Below are the main conditions you will meet in the forecast, and what they mean.

Clear

A clean or nearly clean sky, without significant cloud. A sunny, settled day: the symbol is a sun.

Partly cloudy

A mix of sun and cloud. Part of the sky is covered, but there are clear spells too. The symbol is usually a sun partly behind a cloud.

Cloudy

The sky is mostly or fully covered with cloud, with little or no sun. Grey, but not necessarily rainy.

Fog

Reduced visibility caused by tiny water droplets near the ground. Common in the valleys, especially in the morning and in winter. The symbol shows horizontal lines or a hazy sky.

Light rain

Light, sparse precipitation. An umbrella is often enough, and outdoor plans remain possible. The symbol is a cloud with a few drops.

Rain

Stronger and steadier precipitation than light rain. The symbol is a cloud with more drops: a sign you will need proper protection.

Snow

Precipitation falling as snow, when it is cold enough. The symbol is a cloud with snowflakes. At altitude, snow is more frequent and lasts longer than in the lowlands.

Thunderstorms

Unstable weather with thunder and lightning, possible intense but brief downpours and gusts of wind. The symbol is a cloud with a lightning bolt. Thunderstorms are most common on warm summer afternoons.

How to read the symbols together with the numbers

The symbol gives the overall picture, but the details are in the numbers next to it: the temperature, the chance of rain and the wind. For example, a rain symbol with a low probability means rain is possible but not certain. So read the symbol and the numbers together.

If you want to understand what the "chance of rain" itself means and how a forecast comes to be, see the guide on how forecasts are made.