More than 80 outdoor attractions across the UK have joined forces to call for a simple but powerful change to the way weather forecasts are displayed on popular apps, arguing that current forecast icons can unintentionally discourage visitors from planning days out.
The coalition of attractions – including major wildlife parks, zoos and theme parks – has backed a joint letter led by Chester Zoo and marketing agency Navigate Agency, urging the Met Office to rethink how daily weather summaries are shown.
The Problem With the “Raincloud Icon”
Many widely used weather apps currently display a single icon to represent the entire day’s forecast.
However, attractions say this can be misleading. A raincloud symbol summarising a 24-hour period may appear to signal a day-long washout, even when rain is only forecast for a short window and most of the day will remain dry.
For families deciding whether to visit an outdoor attraction, that small icon can have a big impact.
According to operators, it can lead to thousands of pounds in lost visits, as potential guests postpone or cancel trips based on a forecast that appears worse than the reality.
A Call for Clearer Forecasting
The group of attractions is asking for a clearer and more accurate way to summarise daily forecasts, such as better representing when rain is actually expected during the day.
They believe that if forecasts more accurately reflected short bursts of rain rather than an all-day downpour, families would feel more confident about planning trips.
The request has been directed to the Met Office, the UK’s national weather service and one of the most trusted authorities on forecasting.
With its influence across weather services and data providers, the attractions say the organisation has the ability to set a new industry standard for clearer daily weather summaries.
Why It Matters for Attractions
For outdoor attractions, visitor numbers are closely tied to the weather.
Theme parks, wildlife parks and zoos rely heavily on spontaneous day-trip decisions, especially during weekends and school holidays. A forecast that appears overly pessimistic can dramatically reduce attendance.
The initiative also highlights a wider impact: many participating attractions contribute to conservation and wildlife protection, meaning visitor numbers help support ongoing environmental work.
A Small Change With a Big Impact
Supporters of the campaign stress that the request is not about changing the weather forecast itself, but simply improving how it is displayed and interpreted by the public.
By presenting daily weather more clearly, they hope to empower families to plan confidently and enjoy more days out.
Campaign organisers say the change could ultimately benefit visitors, attractions and conservation efforts alike.
As the joint letter puts it, it’s a small change that could make a big difference – helping people make the most of their day while supporting the outdoor attractions they love.
