Blog | What does the percentage mean on the weather app? (2024)

Table of Contents
The percentage on a weather app typically refers to the probability or chance of a particular weather event occurring. What affects the accuracy of a weather forecast Some examples of weather events often expressed as a percentage Why do weather apps use percentage values? How to calculate the percentage of various weather events Share this article FAQs

Tonye Brown

January 02, 2023

•

7 min read

The percentage on a weather app typically refers to the probability or chance of a particular weather event occurring.

Table of Contents
  • What affects the accuracy of a weather forecast
  • Some examples of weather events often expressed as a percentage
  • Why do weather apps use percentage values?
  • How to calculate the percentage of various weather events

Weather apps often include percentage values as a way to communicate the probability or likelihood of a particular weather event (say rain or snow) occurring. For example, if the percentage of rain is 80%, it means that there is an 80% chance of rain occurring at the location and time specified. The percentage is usually based on the weather forecast, which is a prediction of what the weather will be like in the future. It DOES NOT necessarily reflect the accuracy or confidence level of the forecast itself.

Forecasts are created using data from a variety of sources, including weather satellites, radar, and computer models, and are intended to provide a general idea of what to expect.

Including percentage values in the weather forecast can help users to understand the uncertainty or confidence level of the forecast. For example, a forecast with a high percentage (such as 90% chance of rain) indicates a higher level of confidence that the event will occur, while a forecast with a low percentage (such as 30% chance of rain) indicates a lower level of confidence. This can be helpful information for users as they plan their activities and make decisions about what to wear or how to prepare for the weather.

What affects the accuracy of a weather forecast

  1. The quality and reliability of the data sources used to create the forecast
  2. The complexity and variability of the weather patterns being predicted, and
  3. The skill and experience of the meteorologists or other experts who create the forecast

In general, the more data sources used to create the forecast, the more accurate the forecast will be. However, the more data sources used, the more complex the forecast becomes, and the more difficult it is to accurately predict the weather - yes it’s a bit of a catch-22. This is why it’s always a good idea to refresh your weather app every few hours to get the most up-to-date forecast.

Some examples of weather events often expressed as a percentage

  1. RainThe percentage of rain refers to the probability of rain occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 80% rain means that there is an 80% chance of rain.

  2. SnowThe percentage of snow refers to the probability of snow occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 50% snow means that there is a 50% chance of snow.

  3. ThunderstormsThe percentage of thunderstorms refers to the probability of thunderstorms occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 30% thunderstorms means that there is a 30% chance of thunderstorms.

  4. Cloud coverThe percentage of cloud cover refers to the amount of the sky that is covered by clouds. For example, a forecast of 80% cloud cover means that 80% of the sky is expected to be cloudy.

  5. HumidityThe percentage of humidity refers to the amount of water vapor in the air. For example, a forecast of 70% humidity means that the air is holding 70% of the water vapor it can hold at the current temperature.

  6. UV indexThe percentage of the UV index refers to the strength of the ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. For example, a forecast of 10% UV index means that the UV radiation is expected to be low.

  7. Wind speedThe percentage of wind speed refers to the speed of the wind. For example, a forecast of 50% wind speed means that the wind is expected to be blowing at 50% of its maximum speed.

  8. VisibilityThe percentage of visibility refers to the distance at which objects can be seen clearly. For example, a forecast of 50% visibility means that objects can be seen clearly at 50% of the distance they would normally be seen.

  9. PrecipitationThe percentage of precipitation refers to the probability of precipitation occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 40% precipitation means that there is a 40% chance of precipitation occurring.

  10. SnowfallThe percentage of snowfall refers to the probability of snowfall occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 20% snowfall means that there is a 20% chance of snowfall occurring.

  11. FogThe percentage of fog refers to the probability of fog occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 50% fog means that there is a 50% chance of fog occurring.

  12. IceThe percentage of ice refers to the probability of ice occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 40% ice means that there is a 40% chance of ice occurring.

  13. Freezing rainThe percentage of freezing rain refers to the probability of freezing rain occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 30% freezing rain means that there is a 30% chance of freezing rain occurring.

  14. SleetThe percentage of sleet refers to the probability of sleet occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 20% sleet means that there is a 20% chance of sleet occurring.

  15. Wind gustsThe percentage of wind gusts refers to the probability of wind gusts occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 10% wind gusts means that there is a 10% chance of wind gusts occurring.

  16. TornadoThe percentage of tornado refers to the probability of tornado occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 5% tornado means that there is a 5% chance of tornado occurring.

  17. HurricaneThe percentage of hurricane refers to the probability of hurricane occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 1% hurricane means that there is a 1% chance of hurricane occurring.

  18. HailThe percentage of hail refers to the probability of hail occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 3% hail means that there is a 3% chance of hail occurring.

  19. BlizzardThe percentage of blizzard refers to the probability of blizzard occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 2% blizzard means that there is a 2% chance of blizzard occurring.

  20. DustThe percentage of dust refers to the probability of dust occurring at the location and time specified. For example, a forecast of 4% dust means that there is a 4% chance of dust occurring.

Why do weather apps use percentage values?

The use of percentage values in weather apps is a useful way to communicate the probability or likelihood of weather events and to provide users with a general idea of what to expect. If you’re looking for a weather app (we think we’re the most accurate weather app) that includes percentage values, check out Optic Weather!

How to calculate the percentage of various weather events

  • How do I calculate the percentage of rain or snow?
    The percentage of rain or snow is calculated by dividing the amount of rain or snow by the total amount of precipitation. For example, if there is 10mm of rain and 30mm of snow, the percentage of rain is 25% (10/40) and the percentage of snow is 75% (30/40).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of cloud cover?
    The percentage of cloud cover is calculated by dividing the amount of cloud cover by the total amount of sky. For example, if there is 50% cloud cover and 50% clear sky, the percentage of cloud cover is 50% (50/100) and the percentage of clear sky is 50% (50/100).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of humidity?
    The percentage of humidity is calculated by dividing the amount of water vapor in the air by the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at the current temperature. For example, if the air is holding 10g of water vapor and the maximum amount of water vapor the air can hold at 20°C is 20g, the percentage of humidity is 50% (10/20).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of UV index?
    The percentage of the UV index is calculated by dividing the strength of the UV radiation from the sun by the maximum strength of the UV radiation from the sun. For example, if the UV radiation is 2 and the maximum strength of the UV radiation from the sun is 10, the percentage of the UV index is 20% (2/10).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of wind speed?
    The percentage of wind speed is calculated by dividing the speed of the wind by the maximum speed of the wind. For example, if the wind is blowing at 10m/s and the maximum speed of the wind is 20m/s, the percentage of wind speed is 50% (10/20).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of visibility?
    The percentage of visibility is calculated by dividing the distance at which objects can be seen clearly by the maximum distance at which objects can be seen clearly. For example, if objects can be seen clearly at 10km and the maximum distance at which objects can be seen clearly is 20km, the percentage of visibility is 50% (10/20).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of precipitation?
    The percentage of precipitation is calculated by dividing the probability of precipitation occurring by the total probability of precipitation occurring. For example, if there is a 10% chance of rain and a 20% chance of snow, the percentage of precipitation is 33% (10/30) and the percentage of precipitation is 67% (20/30).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of snowfall?
    The percentage of snowfall is calculated by dividing the probability of snowfall occurring by the total probability of snowfall occurring. For example, if there is a 10% chance of snow and a 20% chance of sleet, the percentage of snowfall is 33% (10/30) and the percentage of snowfall is 67% (20/30).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of fog?
    The percentage of fog is calculated by dividing the probability of fog occurring by the total probability of fog occurring. For example, if there is a 10% chance of fog and a 20% chance of freezing rain, the percentage of fog is 33% (10/30) and the percentage of fog is 67% (20/30).

  • How do I calculate the percentage of ice?
    The percentage of ice is calculated by dividing the probability of ice occurring by the total probability of ice occurring. For example, if there is a 10% chance of ice and a 20% chance of sleet, the percentage of ice is 33% (10/30) and the percentage of ice is 67% (20/30).

Overall, the use of percentage values in weather apps is a useful way to communicate the probability or likelihood of weather events and to provide users with a general idea of what to expect. If you’re looking for a weather app (we think we’re the most accurate weather app) that includes percentage values, check out Optic Weather!

Share this article

Blog | What does the percentage mean on the weather app? (2024)

FAQs

Blog | What does the percentage mean on the weather app? ›

It's not chance of rain

chance of rain
Probability of precipitation (PoP) is a commonly used term referring to the likelihood of precipitation falling in a particular area over a defined period of time, which is commonly a day, half day, or hour.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Probability_of_precipitation
. The percentage means How much of your current area will see rain. If you're in NYC and it's says 99% then all of NYC will have rain today. If it instead says 10% then only a small part of NYC will see rain. It's more a measure of how big the rain clouds are.

Get More Info Here ›
Does 20% chance of rain mean 20% of the area? ›

It means that there's only a twenty percent chance of rainfall in the entire area wherever it's indicated. For example if it says that there's a 100% chance of rain, that means that it is raining outside. This has nothing to do with a percentage of area, but of the entire area that's indicated.

Explore More ›
What does 80% chance of rain mean? ›

An “80% chance of rain” means an 80% chance that rain will fall somewhere within the forecasted area. Rain refers to 0.01 inch or more of water falling from the sky.

Show Me More ›
What does percent mean on the weather app? ›

For example, a 20% chance of rain means there's an 80% chance of dry weather. On the other hand, an 80% chance of rain means there's only a 20% chance of dry weather. An isolated thunderstorm is seen dumping rainfall on one location while surrounding areas are dry.

Learn More ›
What does the percentage on the weather forecast mean? ›

Chance of precipitation

For example, a 70% chance of rain represents a 7 in 10 chance that precipitation will fall at some point during that period. Chance of precipitation represents how likely it is that rain (or other precipitation: sleet, snow, hail, drizzle etc.) will fall from the sky over a certain time period.

Discover More Details ›
Does 40% chance of rain mean 40% of the area? ›

Some people think that if you see 40% next to expected precipitation in the forecast then you have a 40% chance of rainfall or thunderstorms. This is actually not the case. Nor is it the case that rain will fall in 40% of your area.

Discover More Details ›
Does 60% chance of rain mean it will rain? ›

Closer look at percentages

Let's use 60% as the rain chance in the forecast. That means 60% of the entire area (Central Florida) could see measurable rain at some point in the day, while the other 40% won't. That goes beyond the city that you live in.

See More ›
Will it rain if there is a 70 percent chance? ›

Look at it this way, 70% chance of rain means that there is a 30% chance it WILL NOT RAIN. There is a 7 out of 10 chance it will rain.

Learn More ›
Does 100% chance of rain mean all day? ›

Often if a viewer sees a 100% chance of rain, they assume it is going to pour buckets all day long. That may not be the case. 100% of the area may get rain, but maybe it will only last a few hours, if it's a fast-moving front.

Read On ›
What does the percentage of rain mean today? ›

Let's look at an example of what the probability does mean. If a forecast for a given county says that there is a 40% chance of rain this afternoon, then there is a 40% chance of rain at any point in the county from noon to 6 p.m. local time.

Find Out More ›

What does 80% mean on the weather? ›

An 80 percent chance of rain (or of any other kind of precipitation) means the weather forecaster believes there will be an eight in ten chance (or 80 chances out of 100) of measurable precipitation (0.01 inch or more) in the area under consideration during the time interval that is specified in the weather forecast ( ...

Explore More ›
What does 70% rain on the weather app mean? ›

A chance of rain refers to a probability between 30% and 50%. A likely chance of rain would be between 60% and 70%. And with any probability of precipitation higher than 75%, the forecaster has the option of describing it as “periods of rain,” “occasional rain” or simply “rain,” Blier said.

Get More Info ›
How to read a weather forecast? ›

Some common examples include:
  1. Sun: Clear skies and bright sunshine.
  2. Cloud: Overcast or partly cloudy conditions.
  3. Raindrop: Indication of rain showers.
  4. Snowflake: Signifies snowfall or wintry precipitation.
  5. Thunderstorm: Represents the potential for thunderstorms.
  6. Wind: Depict wind direction and speed.
Apr 23, 2024

Discover More Details ›
What does 90 percent chance of rain mean? ›

The percent chance of rain (or snow or thunderstorms) is called the “Probability of Precipitation,” or PoP. The figure refers to the chance that the forecast area will see at least 0.01 inches of rain, according to the National Weather Service.

Find Out More ›
What does the rain mean in the Bible? ›

In the Bible, rain is seen as a symbol of God's blessings and provision. Additionally, in many spiritual belief systems, rain is viewed as a symbol of cleansing and purification, as it is believed to wash away impurities and bring about a new beginning.

Continue Reading ›
Does 10% chance of rain mean? ›

If there are 100 days in which the forecast for rain is 10%, then it should rain on 10 of those days and not rain on the other 90. So if you hear a forecast of 10% chance of rain, and it rains, it doesn't mean that the forecast is wrong, it just happens to be one of those rainy days.

Continue Reading ›
What does it mean when a local weather forecast says that there is a 20 chance of rain tomorrow? ›

To understand what a 20% chance of rain means, imagine that the same meteorological conditions are repeated 100 times. In 20 of those instances, it would rain, and in the remaining 80, it would not rain.

Explore More ›
What does 70% chance of rain mean? ›

A chance of rain refers to a probability between 30% and 50%. A likely chance of rain would be between 60% and 70%. And with any probability of precipitation higher than 75%, the forecaster has the option of describing it as “periods of rain,” “occasional rain” or simply “rain,” Blier said.

Get More Info Here ›
Top Articles
How Much Will Your Portfolio Grow if You Invest $50 a Week?
Is My Money Safe In The Bank?
Fuego Azteca Mexican Bar And Grill Live Oak Photos
8 plekken waar je heen moet in Milaan + beauty shoptips - Make Me Blush
Fallout Season 1 - watch full episodes streaming online
[.WATCH!.] Civil War 2024 FULLMOVIE FREE ONLINE ON 123MOVIES
The Menu Showtimes Near Regal Edwards Ontario Mountain Village
Jenai Name Meaning, Origin, History, And Popularity
NVIDIA Brings AI Assistants to Life With GeForce RTX AI PCs
Introduction to Git in Visual Studio Code
How to easy extract game files from NSP & XCI
Febby Twigs Scat
Latest Posts
How to Earn Money from your Application
NFL experts: Jalen Carter is best player on Georgia’s team, ‘he destroys them all’
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 6273

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.