How GoodDayTo judges dry laundry weather
Outdoor laundry dries best when several small weather advantages line up: little or no rain, lower humidity, a useful breeze and enough warmth or sunshine to move moisture away from fabric. GoodDayTo evaluates every hour in the selected one-, three- or five-hour block instead of treating one good-looking hour as the whole answer.
- Rain probability and actual precipitation
- Relative humidity
- Wind speed
- Air temperature
- Daylight conditions
🌞 Make the most of the good window
- Give heavier towels and denim the longest part of the dry window.
- A moderate breeze helps, but very strong wind can make outdoor drying impractical.
- If the best score is late in the day, leave enough time before evening humidity rises.
How to use the laundry score in real life
A strong score is most useful when several drying signals line up at the same time: little or no rain risk, lower humidity, some airflow and enough warmth or daylight to keep evaporation moving. A breezy 18°C afternoon can sometimes dry laundry better than a warmer but very humid, still day. If GoodDayTo shows WAIT, check the best upcoming window rather than assuming the whole day is poor; a damp morning can turn into a much better drying afternoon.
For thick towels, bedding or heavy cotton, give yourself more time than the score window suggests because these items hold moisture longer. Lightweight shirts and sportswear usually need less time. Bringing washing in before evening humidity rises can also make a noticeable difference.
How the full drying window changes the verdict
If the selected block contains at least 0.1 mm of forecast precipitation, or any hour reaches a rain probability of 70% or more, the whole block is capped at NOT TODAY. If rain probability reaches 40% without crossing the stronger threshold, the block is capped at WAIT. GO remains possible only when the complete block stays below those rain thresholds and the other drying signals are favourable. These are conservative planning guardrails, not a promise that a very local shower will miss your line.
What the laundry score cannot know
GoodDayTo does not know whether your line is in shade, under a roof, between buildings or exposed to direct sun. It also cannot see the fabric type, spin-cycle dryness, local pollen, smoke, dust or a tiny shower that develops between forecast updates. Treat the score as a weather-quality guide for outdoor drying, then apply what you know about your own drying space.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can clothes dry outside when it is cold?
Yes. Cold air does not stop evaporation, but drying is usually slower. A dry breeze can still make a cool day useful, while damp, still air may leave clothes wet for much longer.
How much does wind help outdoor laundry?
A light or moderate breeze usually helps move humid air away from the fabric. Very strong wind is not automatically better because it can make pegs, lines and lightweight items harder to manage.
Why does humidity matter if it is not raining?
High humidity means the air is already carrying a lot of moisture, so water leaves the fabric more slowly. That is why a dry-looking but muggy day can score lower than a breezy, less humid one.
What does WAIT mean for drying clothes outside?
WAIT means the complete selected block is mixed and a better drying window may be available later. Even if the first hour is dry, a rain probability of 40% or more anywhere in the block prevents GO; humidity, weak airflow or fading daylight can also make another period more useful.
Does a GO score guarantee the washing will be fully dry?
No. Fabric type, load size, spin speed, shade, how closely items are hung and your exact garden or balcony conditions all affect drying time. GO only means the forecast looks favourable.