Atmospheric symbols Rainfall Wind UV Index

FAQ and Help

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On this page you can find the meaning of the different icons used in the portal in an informative way. They can be used as a complement to the recorded temperatures and data.

Here you can consult information on atmospheric symbols, wind, UV indices and our main recommendations for your safety.

Atmospheric symbols

day Night
  • Clear Clear
  • High clouds High clouds
  • Scattered clouds Scattered clouds
  • Partly cloudy Partly cloudy
  • Overcast Overcast
  • Dust haze with clear skies Dust haze with clear skies
  • Dust haze with cloudy skies Dust haze with cloudy skies
  • Mist Mist
  • Fog Fog
  • Dry thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies Dry thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies
  • Dry thunderstorm with cloudy skies Dry thunderstorm with cloudy skies
  • Light rain with partly cloudy skies Light rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Light rain with cloudy skies Light rain with cloudy skies
  • Moderate rain with partly cloudy skies Moderate rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Moderate rain with cloudy skies Moderate rain with cloudy skies
  • Dust rain with partly cloudy skies Dust rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Dust rain with cloudy skies Dust rain with cloudy skies
  • Freezing rain with partly cloudy skies Freezing rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Freezing rain with cloudy skies Freezing rain with cloudy skies
  • Rain and snow with partly cloud skies Rain and snow with partly cloud skies
  • Rain and snow with cloudy skies Rain and snow with cloudy skies
  • Dust rain and snow with partly cloudy skies Dust rain and snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Dust rain and snow with cloudy skies Dust rain and snow with cloudy skies
  • Snow with partly cloudy skies Snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Snow with cloudy skies Snow with cloudy skies
  • Dust snow with partly cloudy skies Dust snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Dust snow with cloudy skies Dust snow with cloudy skies
  • Heavy rain with partly cloudy skies Heavy rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Heavy rain with cloudy skies Heavy rain with cloudy skies
  • Heavy Rain and snow with partly cloudy skies Heavy Rain and snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Heavy Rain and snow with cloudy skies Heavy Rain and snow with cloudy skies
  • Heavy snow with partly cloudy skies Heavy snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Heavy snow with cloudy skies Heavy snow with cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies Thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with cloudy skies Thunderstorm with cloudy skies
  • Hail with partly cloudy skies Hail with partly cloudy skies
  • Hail with cloudy skies Hail with cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with hail and partly cloudy skies Thunderstorm with hail and partly cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with hail and cloudy skies Thunderstorm with hail and cloudy skies
  • Dust storm Dust storm
  • Blizzard Blizzard
  • Clear skies Clear skies
  • High clouds High clouds
  • Scattered clouds Scattered clouds
  • Partly cloudy Partly cloudy
  • Overcast Overcast
  • Dust haze with clear skies Dust haze with clear skies
  • Dust haze with cloudy skies Dust haze with cloudy skies
  • Mist Mist
  • Fog Fog
  • Dry thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies Dry thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies
  • Dry thunderstorm with cloudy skies Dry thunderstorm with cloudy skies
  • Light rain with partly cloudy skies Light rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Light rain with cloudy skies Light rain with cloudy skies
  • Moderate rain with partly cloudy skies Moderate rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Moderate rain with cloudy skies Moderate rain with cloudy skies
  • Dust rain with partly cloudy skies Dust rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Dust rain with cloudy skies Dust rain with cloudy skies
  • Freezing rain with partly cloudy skies Freezing rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Freezing rain with cloudy skies Freezing rain with cloudy skies
  • Rain and snow with partly cloud skies Rain and snow with partly cloud skies
  • Rain and snow with cloudy skies Rain and snow with cloudy skies
  • Dust rain and snow with partly cloudy skies Dust rain and snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Dust rain and snow with cloudy skies Dust rain and snow with cloudy skies
  • Snow with partly cloudy skies Snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Snow with cloudy skies Snow with cloudy skies
  • Dust snow with partly cloudy skies Dust snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Dust snow with cloudy skies Dust snow with cloudy skies
  • Heavy rain with partly cloudy skies Heavy rain with partly cloudy skies
  • Heavy rain with cloudy skies Heavy rain with cloudy skies
  • Heavy Rain and snow with partly cloudy skies Heavy Rain and snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Heavy Rain and snow with cloudy skies Heavy Rain and snow with cloudy skies
  • Heavy snow with partly cloudy skies Heavy snow with partly cloudy skies
  • Heavy snow with cloudy skies Heavy snow with cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies Thunderstorm with partly cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with cloudy skies Thunderstorm with cloudy skies
  • Hail with partly cloudy skies Hail with partly cloudy skies
  • Hail with cloudy skies Hail with cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with hail and partly cloudy skies Thunderstorm with hail and partly cloudy skies
  • Thunderstorm with hail and cloudy skies Thunderstorm with hail and cloudy skies
  • Dust storm Dust storm
  • Blizzard Blizzard

Rainfall

symbol
80 % 2.4 mm
Chance of precipitation
Accumulated Rainfall

Accumulated precipitation` is defined as the amount of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail) falling during a given time period (1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, etc.). It can be measured in litres per square metre (l/m²) and expressed in the equivalent unit millimetres (mm). 1 litre of precipitation falling into 1 square metre would have a depth of 1 mm (the water would rise 1 mm from the ground). It can also be expressed in inches (in), the following relationship exists between all these units:

1 l/m2 = 1 mm = 0.039 in

´Chance of precipitation` represents the probability of any type of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, hail) during a given time period (1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, etc.) It should be noted that the ´chance of precipitation` is not related to the amount of ´accumulated precipitation`, that is to say, a greater amount of ´accumulated precipitation` does not represent a greater ´chance of precipitation`.

Wind


17 - 45 km/h
Maximum gusts Average wind speed

Wind is defined as the movement of air with respect to the surface of the Earth due to differences in atmospheric pressure between different locations. ´Average wind speed` represents the average speed of the wind over a given time period (1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, etc.) while ´maxiumum gusts` represents the maximum wind speed during the same time period.

Wind Direction
  • Northwest NW Northwest
  • North N North
  • Northeast NE Northeast
  • West W West
  • 4
  • East E East
  • Southwest SW Southwest
  • South S South
  • Southeast SE Southeast
Wind Speed
Calm
0 to 1 km/h: Calm
Calm, the smoke rises vertically
Weak wind
2 to 5 km/h: Weak wind
The smoke indicates the wind direction
Weak wind
6 to 11 km/h: Weak wind
The leaves of the trees begin to fall, the mills in the field begin to turn
Weak wind
12 to 19 km/h: Weak wind
The leaves shake, the flags wave
Moderate wind
20 to 28 km/h: Moderate wind
Dust and papers blow around, tree tops shake
Moderate wind
29 to 38 km/h: Moderate wind
Small movements of trees, wavy lake surfaces
Moderate wind
39 to 49 km/h: Moderate wind
Tree branches move, difficult to keep the umbrella open
Strong wind
50 to 61 km/h: Strong wind
Large trees move, difficult to walk against the wind
Strong wind
62 to 74 km/h: Strong wind
Tree tops break, difficult for people to move around
Very strong wind
75 to 88 km/h: Very strong wind
Damage to trees, impossible to walk against the wind
Very strong wind
89 to 102 km/h: Very strong wind
Trees uprooted, structural damage to buildings
Hurricane wind
103 to 107 km/h: Hurricane wind
Destruction everywhere, heavy rains, floods
Hurricane wind
>= 118 km/h: Hurricane wind
Cars, trees, houses, roofs and people flying around, can generate a hurricane or typhoon

UV Index

What is the UV Index?

The UV index is a measure of the intensity of ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the Sun at the level of the Earth's surface. It serves to guide us in avoiding overexposure to the Sun and possible skin lesions.

The sun emits energy at different wavelengths. Part of it comes in the form of ultraviolet waves harmful to life. Some of this energy is absorbed by the ozone layer at high levels, another part reaches the surface of the Earth. The UV index measures the component that reaches the surface of our planet.

What is SPF?

The SPF or Sun Protection Factor is a value that gives us an idea of ​​how long it would take to burn if we have used sunscreen. For example, a cream of SPF 15 would indicate that it would take 15 times longer to burn than in those same conditions without using cream.

According to the World Health Organization, it is recommended that all persons, regardless of race and skin type, use a photoprotective product with an SPF of at least 15 (blocks 93% of UV radiation B) and that, in addition, offers broad spectrum (also blocks the UVA radiation) protection.

What does the intensity of UV radiation depend on?

  • The height of the Sun: The higher the sun in the sky, the more intense the UV radiation. Thus, the intensity of UV radiation varies according to the time of day and the time of year. Outside the tropics, the highest intensities of UV radiation occur when the sun reaches its maximum height, around solar noon during the summer months.
  • Latitude: The closer to the equator, the more intense the UV radiation.
  • Cloudiness: The intensity of UV radiation is maximum when there are no clouds, but can be high even with clouds. The dispersion can produce the same effect as reflection by different surfaces, increasing the total intensity of UV radiation.
  • Altitude: At higher altitude the atmosphere is thinner and absorbs a lower proportion of UV radiation. With every 1000 meter increase in altitude the intensity of UV radiation increases by 10 to 12%.
  • Ozone: Ozone absorbs part of the UV radiation that could reach the earth's surface. The concentration of ozone varies throughout the year and even the day.
  • Ground reflection: Different types of surfaces reflect or disperse UV radiation to varying degrees; For example, recent snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation; dry sand on the beach about 15% and the foam of sea water about 25%.

UV Index

What scale regulates the UV Index?

According to the World Health Organization, the UV Index is classified by the following scale.
uv 1
uv 2
Low No protection necessary Remain outside without risk!
uv 3
uv 5
Moderate Protection needed
SPF 6 - 10 Avoid direct sunlight during the middle hours of the day. Keep skin covered, use sun glasses, a hat and sun protection (SPF).
uv 6
uv 7
High Protection needed
SPF 15 - 25 Avoid direct sunlight during the middle hours of the day. Keep skin covered, use sun glasses, a hat and sun protection (SPF).
uv 8
uv 10
Very High! Protection needed
SPF 25 - 50 Avoid going outside in the middle hours of the day. Seek shade. It's important to stay covered, use sunglasses, a hat and sun protection (SPF).
uv 11+
Extreme! Protection needed
SPF 50+ Avoid going outside in the middle hours of the day. Seek shade. It's important to stay covered, use sunglasses, a hat and sun protection (SPF).