Tonye Brown

November 06, 2023

 • 3 min read

What do the different weather symbols mean?

We've all seen the arrays of symbols scattered across weather reports and forecasts. But unless you're a meteorologist, decoding what the different icons actually indicate can get confusing!

We’ve all seen the arrays of symbols scattered across weather reports and forecasts. But unless you’re a meteorologist, decoding what the different icons actually indicate can get confusing!

To clear up their meanings for everyone, we’ll unravel the mysteries behind common weather shorthand symbols - from suns to snowflakes and everything in between. Read on for visual symbol guides plus plain language translations for fast references whenever those weather pictograms pop up.

Symbol Basics

Before jumping to specifics, let’s cover some fundamental aspects of meteorological symbols:

• Simplicity - With forecast graphics and reports needing to convey much information very visually, symbols stay simple in their depictions. You won’t find extremely intricate icon details.
• Symbolism - Icons aim to directly represent weather elements and conditions through symbolic shorthands people intuitively recognize. So snowflake shapes indicate winter precipitation, for instance.
• Uniformity - While some minor styling variations exist, symbols stay relatively consistent across reporting outlets for clarity. A sun image always references warmth and sunniness.

Now that we know the method to the symbols madness, let’s break down common icons section by section!

Sky Cover Symbols

One major component forecasts aim to predict relates to cloud coverage and sky conditions. Various sky symbols help set expectations:

Sunny/Clear Sky

The sun, often including slight wavy lines depicting light heat radiation, signals sunny cloudless days ahead. Enjoy the bright forecast!

☀️

Partly Cloudy

An iconic circled sun partially covered by a detached cloud indicates partly cloudy skies with a mix of sun and passing clouds expected.

☀️

Mostly Cloudy

When an isolated cloud overlaps the majority of the sunshine portions in icon sun/cloud symbols, mostly cloudy conditions should materialize with limited brighter bursts.

☀️

Overcast

An overcast forecast arises when sun icons disappear altogether behind engulfing cloud coverage unbroken. Expect gray gloominess throughout!

☁️

And that covers the major sunny/cloudy symbol translations in common circulation!

Precipitation Symbols

Beyond sky conditions, much intrigue surrounds if and when rainfall or frozen precipitation enters the picture too. Various symbols help decode wet weather expectations:

Rain

The simple light raindrop streaks signify showers and general rainfall in the forecast for the timeframe shown. Umbrellas up! ☂️

🌧️

Freezing Rain/Ice

Jagged shapes suspended underneath raindrops icons represent freezing rain conditions with rain that falls as liquid but freezes on contact with surfaces. Icy! ❄️

🌧️

Snow

The classic white snowflake shape against a sky blue background confirms winter weather with snowfall in the forecast during those blocks! Fires up those snowblowers. ☃️❄️

❄️

Wintery Mix

When shown together amidst rainy icons, snowflake and frozen rain symbols represent an expected wintery mix with icy blending into eventual accumulated snow possible.

🌨️

Thunderstorms

For storms packing more electrical punch, lightning bolt imagery amidst rain icons implies thunderstorms anticipated - a noisy, flashy forecast! ⚡️

⛈️

Now you can spot a multitude of common precipitation symbols with ease!

Atmospheric Symbols

Rounding out symbolic insights, icons denoting atmospheric qualities like humidity, wind, pressure and visibility aids complete the forecast details:

Humidity

The moisture content of air symbolized by vertical wavy lines helps signal muggy, sticky conditions when abundant versus crisper comfier climes when scarce. ☀️💧

💧

Wind

Curlicue arrow shapes represent wind direction and intensity expectations. Lengthier arrows or multiple symbols shown together imply louder blustery conditions. 💨

💨

Atmospheric Pressure

The loops with flat bases and circular tops characterize air pressure systems influencing other weather factors. More closely stacked lines mean higher pressure.

Visibility

The jagged ridged half circles approximates visible distance through atmosphere clarity or obstructions like fog and haze. More wavy lines cut visibility substantially in reports.

👀

Handy Symbol Reference Table

For easy future symbol sleuthing reference, here’s a handy table matching icons to weather meaning:

Scan for any of those symbols, cross-reference to that table for quick translations, and forecasts reveal their secrets!

Decoding Forecasts Clearly

In summary, while weather pictogram symbols may seem cryptically puzzling initially, hopefully breaking down the simple meanings demystifies them into fast visual references!

Consult the guide above whenever symbols pop up in reports and unlock plain language translations for sky cover, precipitation forms, humidity factors plus more atmospheric insights they aim to convey.

So next time your local forecast contains a set of weather icons that leaves you confused and questioning…simply come back to this symbol glossary cheat sheet for handy interpretations at a glance!

If you’re looking for a unique way to explore the weather (and get personalized suggestions for what to do based on the forecast), check out Optic Weather’s AI system for personalized suggestions and guidance (it can also recommend activities for a rainy day, snowy day, etc.). Happy exploring!