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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 20 June 2026 by the Edinburgh Wire weather desk. Data from national met services via Open-Meteo.
Weather symbols are the icons on forecasts that show sun, cloud, rain or snow at a glance – the live forecast above gives Edinburgh’s conditions using these standard graphics. On the east coast and across the Lothians, they help you judge whether to take an umbrella or sunglasses before heading out.
What do the most common weather symbols mean?
A bright yellow sun means clear skies; a sun half-hidden by a grey cloud signals partly cloudy conditions. A single rain cloud with vertical lines indicates light showers, while two cloud layers with slanted dashes mean heavier rain. Snow is shown as a cloud with stars or dots, and thunder as a cloud with a lightning bolt. These symbols appear on apps, websites and TV forecasts across the UK, and the Edinburgh Wire UK weather hub uses the same Met Office–style icons. For a full weather symbols chart with names and pictures, the Met Office website is the most reliable reference for British conditions.
How do weather symbols on your phone differ?
Apple’s iPhone weather app uses a minimalist set: a small sun for fair, layered clouds for overcast, and raindrops for precipitation. Android phones and third‑party apps may show additional symbols – such as a crescent moon for clear nights or a thermometer for temperature extremes. The meanings are consistent, but the design varies: some apps use cartoonish icons, others realistic photographs. If you are checking weather symbols on your iPhone while planning a walk in Edinburgh’s Pentland Hills, always check the accompanying text for wind speed and visibility.
What does a sun with a cloud mean in a forecast?
It means partly cloudy skies – the sun is out but there are also clouds moving across. In Edinburgh this often appears during spring mornings when patches of cloud drift in from the Firth of Forth before burning off.
Why do different apps show different symbols for the same weather?
There is no worldwide standard. The Met Office, BBC Weather and app developers each design their own icons. However, the underlying weather data comes from the same national sources, so conditions are consistent even if the pictures vary.
Are weather symbols the same in every country?
No – many countries use local variations. The UK follows Met Office conventions, which show snow as a star‑shaped symbol, while some US apps use a snowflake. Always check the legend or text description when using foreign forecast sites.
Sources
For more local forecasts, see Glasgow Weather and 10 Day Weather Forecast UK.