Precipitation forecast — how to read it

The precipitation map shows the forecast rate of water actually reaching the ground in mm/h, from the DWD ICON-D2 model — rain, snow and ice combined into a single intensity field.

How to read the intensity scale

• Below 0.1 mm/h: dry or barely-there drizzle.
• 0.1 to 1 mm/h — light: light rain or light snow, visibility usually still fine.
• 1 to 5 mm/h — moderate: steady rain; expect wet runways, reduced visibility, and possible turbulence in convective cells.
• 5 to 20 mm/h — heavy: heavy rain or heavy snow. Runway conditions matter; braking action can degrade fast.
• Above 20 mm/h — very heavy: tropical-style downpours, usually associated with thunderstorm cores. Avoid, don't traverse.

Precipitation vs. simulated radar

Precipitation type: use significant weather

This map does not distinguish rain from snow from freezing rain — it all shows as a single "water equivalent" rate. For the type of precipitation (which is what actually drives icing and runway decisions), see the Significant Weather layer.

When it matters for VFR

• Trip planning: where along the route will you be dodging showers?
• Runway condition awareness: steady moderate rain for six hours before your slot means a wet runway on arrival.
• Shower density judgment: is it "one cell to route around" or "a solid line to wait out"?