Maps interpretation
-
Hi everyone.
I'd like to better understand the difference between the "Weather Radar" and "Clouds and Precipitation" maps.
I'm reasonably familiar with the underlying theory, but I can't quite grasp the differences between the two attached images, which are of the same area and at the same time.
This is "Weather Radar" map:
And this is "Clouds and Precipitation" map:
For example, in the first image, it appears raining at my location and in the second image, it does not.
-
Hello, and thank you for your question.
The key difference is that one map is observed and the other is modelled.
The "Weather Radar" map displays near real-time radar observations of actual precipitation — rain, snow, hail, showers — showing the distribution of precipitation over the last few hours, updated every few minutes. (The menu also offers a short +2h precipitation forecast for Europe and America.)
The "Clouds and Precipitation" map, by contrast, comes from our numerical weather models. It shows the modelled amount of precipitation over a given interval (e.g. one hour) together with cloud cover, rather than a direct measurement. Even for the current hour, it represents the model's best physical estimate of conditions.
That's why your two images, for the same area and time, don't match exactly: the radar shows what was actually detected, while the model shows what it computes. Some differences are entirely expected — radar can miss very light precipitation or be affected by terrain blockage, while the model output reflects forecast assumptions. As a rule of thumb: use the radar for what's happening right now, and the Clouds and Precipitation map for a coherent, gap-free picture and anything in the forecast hours.
We hope this answers your question and wish you pleasant weather with meteoblue. -
Hi and thanks for your reply.
Your explanation is very clear.
Thanks -
No worries :) pls let us know if we can help you with further questions :)
