Weather Symbols
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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Policyline weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
What do the weather symbols mean?
Each symbol combines a base condition (sun, cloud, rain, snow, fog) with intensity or timing. A full sun means clear skies; a sun behind a cloud indicates partly cloudy. Rain symbols vary from a single drop (light rain) to multiple drops (heavy rain) or a cloud with lightning for thunderstorms. Snowflakes show snow, and horizontal lines represent fog or mist. Many UK weather apps and the Met Office use a consistent weather symbols chart so you can quickly interpret the weather symbols and meanings at a glance.
How are weather symbols used on apps and forecasts?
Smartphone apps, including those on iPhones, display weather symbols on weather app home screens and lock screens. The same weather symbols with names appear on the weather symbols on iphone default app, though some third-party apps may use slightly different icons. For children learning the forecast, many schools provide a weather symbols with names and pictures chart. The weather symbols uk set follows Met Office conventions, so a symbol showing a cloud with a sun behind it means “partly cloudy” across all 10-day forecasts.
What does a symbol with a sun behind a cloud mean?
It means partly cloudy – some sunshine but also cloud cover. The exact balance isn’t shown by the icon alone; check the text or percentage cloud cover in the live forecast above for detail.
Why do different apps show different weather symbols?
Apps may use custom icon sets, but the underlying meaning is the same. For example, a “sun/cloud” symbol might be drawn differently on an iPhone compared to a third-party app, but both indicate partly cloudy conditions.
Are weather symbols the same in the UK and the US?
No. The UK uses Celsius and Met Office symbols; US forecasts often use Fahrenheit and different icons (e.g., a “sun” may be yellow with rays, while UK symbols are simpler). Always check the key on the app or website.
