Weather

Read a 7-day forecast like a local

Forecasts are full of numbers that look precise but are often misread. Here's how to interpret the ones on every Live.City dashboard so you pack the right things and pick the right days.

"40% chance of rain" doesn't mean what most people think

Probability of precipitation is the chance that measurable rain falls at a given point during the forecast period. It doesn't say how much rain, or for how long. A 40% chance could mean a short shower that's certain to hit part of the city, or a band of rain that may miss entirely. Look at the daily icon and the hourly trend together: a high probability with a "showers" icon usually means brief interruptions, not a washed-out day.

Feels-like temperature is the one to dress for

"Feels like" (also called apparent temperature) combines air temperature with humidity and wind. On a humid day the body struggles to cool by sweating, so 30°C can feel like 36°C. On a windy winter day, 2°C can feel well below zero. If the two numbers differ by more than a few degrees, plan around the feels-like value.

The daily high happens mid-afternoon

Daily highs usually arrive between about 2 pm and 5 pm local time, and lows just before sunrise. If you're scheduling an outdoor walk in a hot city, the 24-hour temperature line on each dashboard shows exactly when the heat builds and eases.

UV index: high doesn't need hot

UV depends on the sun's angle, altitude and cloud cover, not temperature. A cool, clear day at high altitude or near the equator can carry a very high UV index. As a rule of thumb, UV 3–5 calls for sunscreen and sunglasses around midday, 6–7 for shade during peak hours, and 8+ for limiting direct exposure between late morning and mid-afternoon.

Wind changes everything

Wind speed shapes how cold a day feels, how comfortable a ferry or rooftop will be and how quickly pollution clears. Above about 30 km/h, umbrellas become unreliable and cycling becomes hard work. Coastal and hill cities are especially sensitive to wind direction.

Forecasts get less certain further out

Forecasts for the next one to three days are generally reliable for temperature and broad conditions. By days five to seven, treat the numbers as a trend rather than a promise — use them to spot a warm-up, a cold snap or a wet spell, then re-check closer to the date. Live.City refreshes forecasts every time you visit.

Daylight is a planning tool

Daylight hours vary enormously by latitude and season. A winter day in a northern city may give you fewer than eight hours of light, while summer evenings can stretch past 9 pm. Check the sunrise, sunset and daylight figures on a city's dashboard when you plan sightseeing, photography or a first week in a new city.

A quick routine

1. Glance at the current conditions and feels-like temperature.
2. Check the 24-hour line for when heat or cold peaks.
3. Scan the week for rain probability and trends.
4. Check UV and air quality before long outdoor plans.

Try it now on the London or Singapore dashboard. For safety-critical decisions, always rely on your national weather service's warnings.