The Weather Project · Cycling & outdoor sport
Better weather windows for cycling and outdoor sport
A ride before work, a weekend run or an afternoon on the sports field: find when the weather looks more conducive to getting outside. The Cyclist Comfort Index brings regional conditions into a simple guide to sporting comfort.
Lower score. More favourable conditions.
The published index runs from 0 to 100 and is grouped into three categories. Lower values indicate more favourable sporting conditions; higher values indicate less favourable conditions. It is a criteria-based index designed around cycling—not a percentage chance of good weather. Read the category key on each map.
Is it a good time to get outside?
Built around the ride
Use the maps to compare the relative appeal of different daylight periods and nearby areas. Rather than deciding from temperature alone, start with the overall comfort signal, then check the wind, rain and temperature forecasts for your route.
Useful beyond cycling
The same outlook can help runners, walkers, outdoor training groups and social sports players find more comfortable weather windows. The scoring remains cycling-based: effort, duration, clothing, exposure and personal preferences will change what feels suitable for your activity.
Daylight forecasts, in sequence
The GFS product provides 51 sequential daylight maps across the 10-day forecast window. Night-time periods are deliberately omitted. Frame 12 means the twelfth published image, not forecast hour 12; playback can jump overnight. Read the local valid date and time printed on the map.
Comfort is one part of the decision
A favourable index does not certify that a ride, match or event is safe. Check current observations, rainfall, wind gusts, thunderstorm guidance and official warnings separately. Road surfaces, visibility, UV, smoke, lightning and local exposure also matter; do not assume the index screens every hazard.
See the map format
Use the legend to interpret the three categories and the valid time to identify the forecast period. Select the image to view it at full size. This is a format example, not a current recommendation to ride.
Choose your state or territory
Open the dedicated sports-comfort sequence, or use the combined state viewer to compare comfort with temperature, wind, rain and storms. In the viewer, select Cyclist / sports comfort.
| Region | Sports comfort maps | Compare other weather |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
| Victoria | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
| Queensland | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
| South Australia | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
| Western Australia | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
| Tasmania | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
| Northern Territory | Standalone forecast → | State viewer → |
A practical way to use the outlook
- Choose your location and daylight period. Read the model run and local valid time, rather than using the frame number as an hour.
- Compare nearby windows. Look for the more favourable category, then check wind, gusts, rain and temperature over the full time you expect to be outside.
- Recheck closer to departure. Longer-range forecasts are planning guidance. Confirm with recent observations and warnings, and adjust for your route, ability and activity.
Common questions
Does a score of 20 mean a 20% chance of bad weather?
No. It is a normalised, criteria-based index. Use it to compare conditions and read the category legend; it is not a calibrated weather probability.
Can I use it to decide whether to hold a sporting event?
It can help identify more favourable periods, but it should only be one input. Check the actual forecast variables, local conditions and your event’s own weather procedures. A cycling-based comfort category cannot account for every sport or participant.
Why are there gaps between forecast times?
Only daylight frames are published. The sequence deliberately skips night-time hours. It runs in image order from 1 to 51; use the valid date and local time printed on each image.
How local is the guidance?
The product uses terrain-corrected GFS fields. Finer terrain adjustment does not resolve every valley, street, exposed ridge or shower. Use nearby observations and local knowledge for the final decision.
Complete your weather check
Independent model guidance from The Weather Project. Published outlooks and regional availability depend on successful data updates. Check the timestamp on the product you are using.