Weather Guide
Learn to understand and interpret weather forecasts
Introduction
Understanding weather forecasts allows you to better plan your daily activities and make informed decisions. This guide explains how to interpret the different information displayed on AuroWeather and what it means for you in practice.
Weather forecasts are based on complex scientific models that analyze millions of data points from satellites, weather stations and radars to predict how the weather will evolve.
Temperature
Current temperature
This is the temperature currently measured at the selected location. It is expressed in degrees Celsius (°C) and comes from real weather stations.
Feels like
The feels-like temperature takes into account several factors that influence your perception of temperature:
- Wind : cools the skin (wind chill effect)
- Humidity : increases the sensation of heat in summer
- Sunshine : can increase the sensation of warmth
Tip: Use the feels-like temperature rather than the actual temperature to choose your clothing. For example, 10°C with wind can feel like 5°C.
Min/Max temperatures
These values indicate the lowest and highest temperatures forecast for the day. They help you anticipate temperature variations between morning and afternoon.
Weather conditions
Clear sky
No clouds or cloud cover below 10%. Ideal for outdoor activities. Caution: risk of sunburn in summer, remember sun protection.
Cloudy
Presence of clouds partially or totally covering the sky:
- Few clouds : 10-25% coverage
- Partly cloudy : 25-50% coverage
- Mostly cloudy : 50-90% coverage
- Overcast : more than 90% coverage
Rain
Liquid precipitation. Intensity can vary:
- Drizzle : fine droplets, low intensity
- Light rain : less than 2.5 mm/h
- Moderate rain : 2.5 to 10 mm/h
- Heavy rain : more than 10 mm/h
Good to know: The precipitation percentage (e.g. 60%) does not mean it will rain 60% of the time, but that there is a 60% chance of rain at some point in the forecast area.
Wind
Wind speed
Speed is displayed in kilometres per hour (km/h). Here's how to interpret these values:
Wind direction
The direction indicates where the wind comes from (not where it is going). For example:
- North wind : comes from the North, blows toward the South
- West wind : comes from the West, blows toward the East
In general, westerly winds bring mild, humid air from the ocean, while northerly winds bring cool, dry air.
Humidity
Relative humidity represents the amount of water vapor in the air relative to the maximum amount the air can hold at that temperature. It is expressed as a percentage (%).
Interpretation
Impact on comfort: High humidity (>70%) in summer increases the sensation of heat by preventing sweat evaporation. In winter, very dry air (<30%) can irritate the respiratory tract.
Atmospheric pressure
Atmospheric pressure is the weight of the air above us. It is measured in hectopascals (hPa) and greatly influences the weather. Normal pressure at sea level is about 1013 hPa.
Interpretation
Trend to watch: More important than the absolute value, watch the trend. Rising pressure indicates improving weather, while a rapid drop often signals rain or wind.
Visibility
Visibility indicates the maximum distance at which you can clearly distinguish an object. It is expressed in kilometres (km) and can be reduced by fog, rain, snow or pollution.
Road safety: When visibility is below 1 km, reduce your speed and use fog lights. Visibility below 50 metres requires extreme caution.
Air quality
The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the concentration of atmospheric pollutants harmful to health. It is expressed on a scale of 1 to 5.
Sensitive groups: Elderly people, children, pregnant women and people with respiratory or cardiac conditions should be particularly vigilant when the index is 3 or above.
Tips for using AuroWeather
1. Check several times a day
Forecasts are updated regularly. Check them in the morning to plan your day and again during the day if needed.
2. Look at the 6-day forecast
Short-term forecasts (1-3 days) are more reliable than long-term ones. Use them to anticipate but stay flexible.
3. Combine multiple indicators
Don't rely on temperature alone. Take wind, humidity and precipitation into account for a complete picture.
4. Use geolocation
Enable "Use my location" to automatically get forecasts for your current location — useful when travelling.