How GoodDayTo judges running weather
Running comfort changes quickly through a day. A warm afternoon can be much less appealing than an early morning, while a windy hour can feel very different from the temperature alone. GoodDayTo compares upcoming hours and shows the strongest running window rather than giving one all-day label.
- Apparent temperature
- Rain probability
- Wind speed
- UV index
- Daylight
🌞 Make the most of the good window
- Use the score to choose a comfortable time, then adjust for your fitness and training plan.
- Hydration and heat precautions still matter even when the weather score is good.
- In low light, choose visible clothing and an appropriate route.
Using the running score for different workouts
Easy runs, intervals and long runs do not place the same demands on the body, so use the score as a weather guide rather than a training prescription. Comfortable apparent temperature, low rain risk and moderate wind help the score. Strong UV, heat, heavy rain or gusts push it down. A WAIT result often means an early-morning or evening window is materially more comfortable than the current hour.
For a hard session or long run, favour the cooler end of the good window and consider the whole route exposure. For a short recovery run, you may personally accept conditions that GoodDayTo rates as mixed. Hydration, clothing and route choice can change how the same weather feels.
What the running score cannot know
The tool does not know your fitness, health, acclimatisation, pace, elevation, trail condition or access to shade and water. It does not replace heat, lightning or air-quality warnings. If you have a medical reason to limit exertion in heat or cold, follow professional guidance rather than the activity score.
What the score means
GO means the weather signals we can measure look favourable. WAIT means conditions are mixed and a better hour may be nearby. NOT TODAY means the forecast currently contains enough unfavourable signals that this activity is unlikely to be a good weather choice. These are planning recommendations, not safety clearances.
Running example: comfort can change faster than rain risk
A dry afternoon may still be a weaker running choice when apparent temperature and UV peak, while a cooler morning or evening can score better with similar rain risk. GoodDayTo searches the upcoming hours for that trade-off. It does not know your pace, fitness, hydration, route shade or medical needs, so adjust the recommendation to the intensity and conditions of your own run.
Frequently asked questions
Why does GoodDayTo use apparent temperature for running?
Apparent temperature gives a better indication of how conditions may feel than air temperature alone. That helps the score react more sensibly to very hot or cold-feeling conditions.
Can light rain still be good running weather?
Yes. A small shower risk does not automatically create a NOT TODAY result. The score drops progressively as rain becomes more likely or heavier.
How much does wind affect the running score?
Moderate wind may still be fine, but stronger wind can make exposed routes harder and less comfortable. Very strong gusts or severe-weather signals can sharply reduce the score.
Why can a sunny afternoon score lower than the morning?
Heat and UV can make a bright afternoon less comfortable than a cooler morning. GoodDayTo compares upcoming hours and can recommend the time that gives the best overall balance.
Does a GO result mean it is safe for me to run?
No. It is a weather-planning score, not a medical or route-safety clearance. Your health, fitness, traffic, air quality, surface conditions and local warnings remain separate checks.