Weather Forecasting Symbols

It only makes sense to start with the elements most widely associated with weather forecasts,
which are, off-course, the weather symbols. Let's take a look at the most commonly used ones
and what they mean.
As you will soon see, the same symbols can be displayed to describe different weather
conditions by various applications and services. This can be very confusing, so I attempt to
the most important weather conditions associated with them.

Sunny Conditions
The most well-known of all the weather symbols. This symbol, indicating sunny conditions and
clear skies, is also pretty straightforward and rarely used in any other way than to display exactly
these conditions.

Partly Cloudy (Day)

The day will be mostly sunny with patches of cloud cover during the day. The cloud cover may
grow larger or dissipate throughout the day, depending on future atmospheric conditions, or
simply put, "the way the weather is headed in".

Partly Cloudy (Night)

The night will be mostly clear with patches of cloud cover during the day. The cloud cover may
grow larger or dissipate throughout the night, depending on future atmospheric conditions, or
simply put, "the way the weather is headed in".

Cloudy
The day/night will be mostly overcast, with no or very little clear skies visible. The light color of
the symbol normally indicates that no rainfall is imminent (yet).
Overcast
An indication that heavy cloud cover is expected throughout the day/night. This dark symbol is
often an indication that rainfall may be possible but not expected.

Cloudy With Light Showers

This symbol normally indicates cloudy conditions with light showers scattered throughout the
day. These conditions may continue to persist, dissipate, or grow into heavier rainfall later on.

Cloudy With Showers

Slightly heavier and more persistent showers are associated with this symbol. Normally these
conditions also last longer and can be expected to last the duration of the day, depending on the
season and type of weather system.

Cloudy With Heavy Showers

As the symbol and description indicate, heavy, persistent showers can be expected. As with
normal showers, its duration will largely depend on the season and type of weather system.
Attention should be paid to additional information, like storm and flood warnings, as these
conditions can occur during very heavy downpours.

Partly Cloudy With Light Showers / Cloudy With Light

Showers (Day)
These are one of the first symbols that can be very confusing, hence the dual
description. Usually, it means the weather will be partly sunny, with some cloud cover & light
showers to be expected.
Some weather services are now using this symbol to indicate cloudy conditions with light rain
and use the sun to show that the conditions occur during the day. (In this instance, no distinction
is made between cloudy and partly cloudy weather.)
The best advice to follow when you see this symbol is to read the short forecast summary
that usually accompanies any weather symbol.

Partly Cloudy With Light Showers / Cloudy With Light

Showers (Night)
Another symbol with a confusing dual personality. Usually, it indicates a partly clear night
sky, with some cloud cover & light showers to be expected.
Some weather services are now using this symbol to indicate cloudy conditions with light rain
and use the moon to show that the conditions occur during the night. (In this instance, no
distinction is made between cloudy and partly cloudy weather.)
Follow the same advice that was given in the previous section when you see this symbol.

Partly Cloudy With Showers / Cloudy With Showers (Day)

And yet another symbol with a confusing dual personality. Usually, it means the weather will
be partly sunny, with some cloud cover & showers to be expected.
Some weather services are now using this symbol to indicate cloudy conditions with rain and use
the sun to show that the conditions occur during the day. (In this instance, no distinction is made
between cloudy and partly cloudy weather.)
Follow the same advice that was given in the previous section when you see this symbol.
Partly Cloudy With Showers / Cloudy With Showers (Night)
Another symbol with a confusing dual personality. Usually, it indicates a partly clear night
sky, with some cloud cover & showers to be expected.
Some weather services are now using this symbol to indicate cloudy conditions with rain and use
the moon to show that the conditions occur during the night. (In this instance, no distinction is
made between cloudy and partly cloudy weather.)
Follow the same advice that was given in the previous section when you see this symbol.

Thunderstorm
Thunderstorms with strong winds, lightning, and heavy rain can be expected. These are one of
the symbols that you should not ignore, simply due to the dangerous conditions that accompany a
weather event.

Hail Storm
This symbol indicates a hail (water in its frozen form) storm. Hail is very often associated with
thunderstorms due to the similar weather conditions that produce both. If you are interested, you
can read more about hail in this article.

Light Snow Shower

A light shower of snow (a cluster of ice crystals) is expected to fall. In areas familiar with
regular snowfall, this won't cause any concern.
If it takes place in a region that very seldom experiences any snowfall, care should be taken to
account for conditions that normally accompany snowfall, including a sudden drop in
temperature and slippery conditions.
Heavy Snow Shower
A heavy shower of snow (a cluster of ice crystals) is expected to fall. Regardless of the location
of familiarity, care should be taken to account for the potentially dangerous conditions that
accompany heavy snowfall.

Mist
Mist is nothing more than a high concentration of micro water droplets in the air near the surface
of the ground. When mist is forecasted, this usually indicates damp conditions with variable
degrees of low visibility. You should take this into account, especially when you plan on
traveling.

Drizzle
When a drizzle is predicted, it usually means a very fine form of rain will occur. The water
droplets can be very small, almost unnoticeable. It should not be ignored, however, as it is often
very persistent and can thoroughly drench you over time.

Sleet
When sleet is forecasted, it usually means a combination of rain and snow, and even small ice
pellets are expected to fall.

The formation of sleet is a little more complex than you may think. For a complete explanation,
you can read more about its formation and characteristics in this article. (Simply search for
"sleet" in the text.)
Tropical Storm
A tropical storm is destructive. However, a tropical storm can quickly turn into a hurricane.