How scores work

Each hour of the forecast is scored on eight factors: air temperature, feels-like temperature, precipitation probability and amount, wind speed and gusts, UV exposure, air quality, daylight and the general sky condition.

Every factor produces a 0–100 sub-score. Sub-scores are combined using per-activity weights, so the same hour can be excellent for photography and mediocre for running.

Running prefers cooler air and gives air quality more weight. Outdoor dining prefers mild temperatures with little wind and almost no rain. Cycling applies a stronger wind and precipitation penalty. Photography rewards daylight and partial cloud cover. Sightseeing balances temperature, rain, wind and daylight. Beach scoring requires genuinely warm, dry conditions and surfaces UV and wind warnings prominently.

Beach scores appear only for cities we have verified as coastal. Inland cities never receive one.

85–100 is Excellent, 70–84 Good, 50–69 Fair, 30–49 Challenging and 0–29 Poor. The recommended window is the consecutive stretch of daylight hours with the highest average score.

All thresholds and weights live in a single configuration file and can be adjusted as we learn more. Scores describe comfort, not safety: severe weather, local alerts and personal health conditions always take precedence.