meteoblue Community

rainSPOT

The rainSPOT is a unique meteoblue visualisation showing regional precipitation around a selected location. It provides a quick overview of how rainfall is distributed in the hours preceding the indicated time.

It visualises:
• Precipitation totals for the chosen interval (e.g. a 3-hour rainSPOT at 11:00 shows precipitation from 08:00–11:00).
• Precipitation intensity with colour-coded shading.
• Spatial distribution of rainfall around the chosen location, always centred in the middle grid cell.
• Precipitation types (rain, drizzle, hail, ice, snow).

How it works

• rainSPOT aggregates forecast grid cells: the chosen location is always placed in the central grid cell.
• The radius of the outer circle is indicated on the left side of the diagram.
• meteoblue models allow global coverage, including mountainous and offshore regions.
• Resolution varies by region:
– 3–4 km in Europe and North America for the first 3 days.
– 12 km for days 4–7, or in other global regions.
• rainSPOT works in combination with the pictocast, where additional details such as amount, timing, and probability are shown.

Limitations

• In mountainous regions, precipitation can be highly localised (e.g. only on a slope or summit), while the grid cell covers a wider area.
• A forecast of 1 mm in a 10x10 km cell may represent uniform rain, patchy showers, or even localised heavy downpours.
• Radar or satellite adjustments are applied where available, but local variations may still occur.
• Forecast accuracy decreases for longer lead times and complex terrains.

Best use cases

• Identifying whether precipitation will be widespread, showery, or localised.
• Tracking thunderstorm activity and precipitation fronts.
• Recognising persistent rain events (monsoon, low-pressure systems).
• Supporting outdoor planni

The Meteogram 7-Day is a multi-purpose forecast tool providing hourly weather data for the next 7 days. It is available with a point+ subscription.

Display Overview
• Shows four stacked diagrams with different weather variables.
• Light yellow background = daylight.
• White background = nighttime.
• Valid for the selected location, anywhere on Earth.
• Updated whenever accessed, with nowcasting data included.
• Local time is used; dashed vertical line = current time.
• Most recent model update time = bottom left corner.

Weather Variables

1. Temperature
   • Hourly temperature curve for the next 7 days.
   • Area under the curve shaded with layered colour bars for readability.
   • Daily min/max values shown as numbers.
   • Weather pictograms displayed above the curve.
2. Precipitation
   • Vertical blue bars = precipitation amount (mm or inches).
   o Dark blue = total precipitation.
   o Light blue = showers.
   • Symbols indicate type:
   o Rain = no symbol
   o Snow = *
   o Frozen mix = x
   o Freezing rain = ▼
   • Purple curve = precipitation probability (from 20-member model ensemble).
   • Blue curve = relative humidity (%).
   • Probability is based on model consensus for a 50×50 km grid cell.
3. Clouds
   • Cloud cover shown by grey shading at various altitudes (km).
   • Brown bar = average altitude of surrounding terrain.
   • 0% = clear sky, 50% = half covered, 100% = overcast.
   • Low-level shading at ground level can indicate fog.
   • Example patterns:
   o Cold front: gradual build-up of low clouds.
   o Thunderstorm: clear morning → rapid afternoon build-up → evening clearing.
4. Wind
   • Light blue curve = mean wind speed (10 m above ground).
   • Dark green curve = wind gusts.
   • Arrows (3-hour intervals) = wind direction:
   o Arrow up = South wind
   o Arrow right = West wind, etc.

The MultiModel meteogram compares forecasts from several weather models, showing how they differ over time. It is an addition to the standard meteogram, using data from the altitude of each model’s grid cell — meaning temperature values can vary from strictly local measurements. Its purpose is not precise local forecasting, but to visualise how model predictions can diverge. For detailed local temperatures, use the meteogram All-in-One. Predictability offers more on forecast uncertainty.

How it works

Colour coding: Each model has its own colour, used across all diagrams. The legend lists model names, spatial resolution (in km), and colours.

Temperature diagram: Shows predicted temperatures from each model. Sunrise–sunset is marked with a light yellow background. The dashed line is the average across models.

Precipitation bars: Blue bars show hourly accumulated precipitation. Darker bars mean more models agree on rain.

Weather icons & cloud cover: Icons display predicted conditions, with background colours: light blue (clear), light grey (scattered clouds), dark grey (dense clouds).

Wind speed: Same format as temperature diagram, with average wind speed as a dashed line.

Wind direction: Each dot is a model prediction for a specific time. Vertical axis starts with southbound winds at the bottom, rotating clockwise 360°.

Relative humidity: Shown as a percentage for each model, from 0% (dry air) to 100% (fully saturated).

Note: The number of models varies by region — some are only available in specific domains.

The MultiModel Ensemble meteogram is available on the meteoblue website for either 7- or 14-day forecasts. It compares predictions from multiple high-resolution models with those from a traditional ensemble to show uncertainty more clearly.

Why it matters

Traditional ensembles (e.g. GFS) often underestimate forecast uncertainty in the first 3–5 days, giving a false sense of confidence.

They run at lower resolution, missing some local weather patterns visible in high-resolution models.

All members of a traditional ensemble have the same likelihood of being correct — there is no early way to know which will perform best.

High-resolution models vary in accuracy depending on location and weather conditions.

How to read it

Temperature graph:

Yellow lines = high-resolution models

Green lines = GFS ensemble members (same model run multiple times with varied initial conditions)

Black line = average of all forecasts

Dashed line = meteoblue consensus forecast

Precipitation: Accumulated totals from today onwards; blue bars show hourly amounts.

Cloud cover: Light blue = high-resolution models, green = GFS ensemble members, in %.

Wind forecast: Light blue = high-resolution models, green = ensemble members. A wind rose shows daily wind direction probability — large segments mean higher likelihood. Many evenly sized segments indicate uncertainty; two opposite segments often signal thermal wind circulation (different daytime vs night-time winds).

Behind the data

meteoblue high-resolution models cover most populated areas (3–10 km grid) and the whole world at moderate resolution (30 km).

Forecasts combine multiple weather models, statistical analysis, measurements, radar, and satellite telemetry for the most probable outlook.

Weather models simulate atmospheric physics in grid-cells 4–40 km wide, 100 m–2 km high, with 60 vertical layers reaching into the stratosphere (10–25 hPa / up to 60 km altitude).The MultiModel Ensemble meteogram is available on the meteoblue website for either 7- or 14-day forecasts. It compares predictions from multiple high-resolution models with those from a traditional ensemble to show uncertainty more clearly.
Why it matters
• Traditional ensembles (e.g. GFS) often underestimate forecast uncertainty in the first 3–5 days, giving a false sense of confidence.
• They run at lower resolution, missing some local weather patterns visible in high-resolution models.
• All members of a traditional ensemble have the same likelihood of being correct — there is no early way to know which will perform best.
• High-resolution models vary in accuracy depending on location and weather conditions.
How to read it
• Temperature graph:
o Yellow lines = high-resolution models
o Green lines = GFS ensemble members (same model run multiple times with varied initial conditions)
o Black line = average of all forecasts
o Dashed line = meteoblue consensus forecast
• Precipitation: Accumulated totals from today onwards; blue bars show hourly amounts.
• Cloud cover: Light blue = high-resolution models, green = GFS ensemble members, in %.
• Wind forecast: Light blue = high-resolution models, green = ensemble members. A wind rose shows daily wind direction probability — large segments mean higher likelihood. Many evenly sized segments indicate uncertainty; two opposite segments often signal thermal wind circulation (different daytime vs night-time winds).
Behind the data
• meteoblue high-resolution models cover most populated areas (3–10 km grid) and the whole world at moderate resolution (30 km).
• Forecasts combine multiple weather models, statistical analysis, measurements, radar, and satellite telemetry for the most probable outlook.
• Weather models simulate atmospheric physics in grid-cells 4–40 km wide, 100 m–2 km high, with 60 vertical layers reaching into the stratosphere (10–25 hPa / up to 60 km altitude).

@Crabman-2 said in 7-day forecast day help popup showing incorrect predictability description:

the white icons indicate our ability co correctly forecast the weather, whereas the grey icons indicate the lack thereof

Yes I got that part, the issue is in the first screenshot where the description in the help popup incorrectly (as I understand it) indicates that the forecast is reliable when all icons are grayed out, and likely to change when they are all white.

The issue does seem to be dark mode only, in light mode the description in the popup shows the correct icons.

Hi, you are right, in dark mode the colours are inverted and that is an error. We're already working on fixing it.

@SoCalPilot said in Difficult to Read (because of font color):

In the attached image, the precipitation percentage values (for the higher percentages) are very difficult to read because of the purple font on a black background. I've circled those values in red in the screenshot...

Difficult to read font color screenshot...

Thank you for the feedback, passing this on :)

@Lenc said in Precipitation Probability:

Hello,

I really miss the "Precipitation Probability" feature in the iOS app (paid version). As an amateur cyclist who likes to travel with a bike and bags, this feature would be very helpful because if I saw that there was a high probability of precipitation in a certain area, I would avoid it. This feature would also come in handy in the mountains or at sea.
Is there an option to upgrade?

Best regards, Aleš Leban

Hi Aleš,

Thank you so much for reaching out and for your support! It’s great to hear how you use meteoblue to plan your bike-packing adventures—that sounds like an amazing way to travel.

Actually, the Precipitation Probability feature is already available directly within the iOS app! You can find it in two places:

7-Day Forecast: It is shown as a percentage for each day in the main overview.

Hourly View: If you tap on a specific day, you will see the hourly probability breakdown, which is perfect for timing your rides.

Safe travels on your next trip!

@sm4rk0 said in Do you provide real measurement data, and what are the limitations or reliability issues of such data?:

Do you plan to include it?

Yes, working on it :)