Ambient Weather Support

If the forecast cloudy icon is flashing rain, this means there was a rapid drop in barometric pressure, indicating a storm is in the forecast 24-48 hours in advance. When the pressure rises again or stabilizes, the forecast icon will stop flashing.

In general, if the rate of change of pressure increases, the weather is generally improving (sunny to partly cloudy). If the rate of change of pressure decreases, the weather is generally degrading (cloudy, rainy or stormy). If the rate of change is relatively steady, it will read partly cloudy.

The reason the current conditions do not match the forecast icon is because the forecast is a prediction 24-48 hours in advance. In most locations, this prediction is only 70% accurate and it is a good idea to consult the National Weather Service for more accurate weather forecasts. In some locations, this prediction may be less or more accurate. However, it is still an interesting educational tool for learning why the weather changes.

The National Weather Service (and other weather services such as Accuweather and The Weather Channel) have many tools at their disposal to predict weather conditions, including weather radar, weather models, and detailed mapping of ground conditions.