Description

Fine

Weather in which the sun casts a shadow for most of the time or night skies are relatively cloud free.

Partly Cloudy

When the sky is partly covered by cloud at any given location.

Cloudy/Mostly Cloudy

Predominantly more cloud than clear sky. Cloud expected to cover approximately 70 to 100% of the sky for the majority of the day.

Few Showers

Not many, relatively short-lived periods of precipitation. Often, but not always, separated by blue sky.

Showers

Usually begin and end suddenly. Relatively short-lived, but may last half an hour. Often, but not always, separated by blue sky.

Rain

In contrast to showers, rain is steadier and normally comes with cloudy or overcast skies. Liquid water drops greater than 0.5 mm in diameter.

Drizzle

Consists of very small water droplets (less than 0.5 mm in diameter) very close to one another

Fog

Suspension of very small water droplets in the air, reducing visibility at ground level to less than a kilometre.

Snow

Precipitation composed of white or translucent ice crystals. The distinction between "snow" and “snow showers” is similar to the distinction between "rain" and "showers". A “snow flurry” is a concise term describing a light snow shower where the snow does not stay/accumulate on the ground.

Wind

Occasionally the wind speed is the most important aspect of the weather. In these cases the wind icon is used to highlight that.

Wind & Rain

Strong or gale force winds accompanied by rainfall.

Thunder

One or more convective (cumuliform) clouds in which electrical discharge can be seen as lightning and heard as thunder.

Hail

Precipitation in the form of balls or irregular lumps of ice, usually produced by convective (cumuliform) clouds.

Frost

When the air temperature is forecast to drop below 0°C and no precipitation is expected