A forecast helps you prepare for a scenario
A forecast describes the most plausible future state of the atmosphere according to the data and models available when it was produced. Forecast temperature, wind, precipitation and thunderstorms are not measurements from the future: they are estimates with uncertainty, especially for fast-developing local events.
For planning, always check the valid time, geographic area, latest update and provider. The hourly sequence and changes between updates are more informative than a single icon: a persistent signal gains consistency, while frequent changes indicate that the scenario remains uncertain.
An observation shows what instruments have detected
Weather stations, radar, satellites and lightning networks observe different parts of the current situation. Every dataset has a timestamp, coverage and limitations: radar detects signals associated with precipitation, while a station measures conditions at its specific location.
Observations help confirm whether an event is beginning, intensifying or moving, but they cannot describe every place and moment perfectly. A radar gap, missing reading or area far from sensors does not prove the absence of danger, and a thunderstorm can develop between two updates.
A warning guides protective decisions
An official warning is not simply a stronger forecast. Competent authorities assess expected or ongoing hazards together with possible impacts, local thresholds and the vulnerability of the affected area. The same weather phenomenon can therefore produce different warning levels in different places.
Always read the issuing authority, issue time, validity period, area, hazards and recommended actions. Meteo Interactive maps and forecasts provide context but do not replace official bulletins or instructions. If danger is imminent, follow local authorities and emergency services without waiting for confirmation from the app.
Sources and method
Practical example on Meteo Interactive
Use radar in Current conditions as a recent observation and the forecast as a future scenario; always consult the competent authority’s warnings for safety decisions.
This guide is explanatory content kept separate from operational weather data. It was checked against the public sources listed below and against the labels, units and times actually shown on the site. The review checks clarity, consistency and the distinction between observations, forecasts and official warnings; the text is updated when a source or the interface changes.
If you find an error or an outdated reference, report it to the editorial team.
Forecasts describe likely scenarios and do not replace alerts or official authority communications.