The method
- Open the original page and select the relevant place. Distinguish observation, forecast and warning information; they answer different questions.
- Record date, time, covered period and stated phenomenon. Read associated details and instructions rather than inferring everything from a colour or icon.
- Connect the information to your plan and retain a way to recheck it. For a particular activity, also consult the organiser or relevant local service’s information.
Fictional worked example
A fictional screenshot received on Saturday shows a map updated Friday for a period ending Saturday morning. Your outing is planned for Saturday evening. The sheet records the mismatch and prompts a current check rather than applying the old status to the whole day.
Compare two times with their UTC offsets
Identical displayed times can refer to different instants. Enter the date, time and offset stated by each source.
Fictional example: 02:30 at +02:00 is 00:30 UTC; 02:30 at +01:00 is 01:30 UTC. The second instant is 60 minutes after the first.
Method: convert each time to UTC, then subtract the first instant from the second. Use the offset applicable on that date; this tool does not determine a city’s daylight-saving rules.
Local calculation to the minute. Entries are neither sent nor saved. A time difference cannot establish the actual order of events if their source dates are wrong. Dates and time zones explained · W3C ↗
The record to keep
Keep link, place, period and consultation time. “Recheck before leaving” is more useful than an unexplained screenshot.
Your record, step by step
For your own situation, record the following information. Check a field when it is documented; missing information still needs verification. The boxes are a reminder within this page.
This checklist does not validate your project. No entries are sent or saved.
Fictional worked case. A fictional bulletin is published at 08:00 for 12:00–18:00. It is accessed at 15:00.
| Element | Observation in the case | Interpretation or next check |
|---|---|---|
| Publication | 08:00 on the stated day | When the bulletin was produced |
| Validity | 12:00–18:00 for the stated area | Period covered by the information |
| Access | 15:00 on the same day | When the reader opens the bulletin |
| Outside scope | A nearby town is outside the described area | Find information applying to that town |
What this method can establish
This reading creates no forecast and certifies no activity’s safety. Consult updated information and official instructions.
Useful questions before you start
Is an old screenshot enough before an outing?
It records a past state. Revisit the official source for the relevant period and area, together with applicable local instructions.
Supporting documentation
These references support the method. Each source shows its language and consultation date; an available directory record explains its purpose.
- Météo-France — vigilance météorologique FR ↗
Documentation consulted on
An editorial method, a fictional example and references for further reading.