What the first answer means
GO means the complete visit you selected is a good measurable weather fit: rain stays below the market caution limits, and wind, gusts, apparent temperature, UV and severe-weather checks do not force the answer lower. WAIT means the visit is mixed or a later complete window is meaningfully better. NOT TODAY means a serious weather signal or poor whole-window fit makes the exposed visit unreliable.
The first screen stays simple: verdict, Outdoor Market, best practical time and one memorable line. Open the supporting details for the measured rain, wind, gust, temperature and UV facts. The same shared calculation is used on this page, in activity rankings, in the natural-language Planner, and when a saved routine is checked again.
How the Outdoor Market score works
An outdoor market visit usually involves walking, browsing and waiting at stalls, not one perfect forecast moment. GoodDayTo measures apparent temperature, rain probability, predicted precipitation, average wind, gusts, UV, daylight, severe-weather codes and every forecast hour in the duration you choose. A dry arrival cannot hide rain near the end of the selected visit.
The one-, three- and five-hour controls are real complete-block checks. One hour suits a quick collection or a small neighbourhood market. Three hours allows time to browse, queue and eat. Five hours can represent a large craft fair, food market or seasonal event. GoodDayTo does not silently shorten your requested visit to manufacture a better score.
- Complete market visit
- Rain probability
- Predicted precipitation
- Apparent temperature
- Wind & gusts
- UV exposure
- Daylight
- Severe-weather signals
- Nearby marketplace context
Rain limits across the whole market visit
GoodDayTo adds predicted rain across all selected hours and checks the highest hourly precipitation probability. At least 0.5 mm total rain, or 70% rain probability in any selected hour, caps the answer at NOT TODAY (45). At least 0.1 mm, or 40% probability, caps it at WAIT (70). These are conservative planning guardrails for an exposed visit—not universal event-cancellation rules.
Probability and amount answer different questions. The National Weather Service describes precipitation probability as the chance of measurable precipitation at a specific forecast point; it is not the percentage of the day that will be wet. GoodDayTo keeps the probability and predicted amount visible instead of blending away uncertainty. See the official NWS precipitation-probability explanation.
A practical example
Imagine a three-hour farmers market visit where 09:00 and 10:00 are mild and dry, but 11:00 reaches 72% rain probability. Averaging those hours can make the trip look acceptable even though you may still be walking between uncovered stalls when rain arrives. The complete-window rule caps that plan at NOT TODAY. A highest hourly probability of 45% would cap it at WAIT. If every selected hour stays below 40%, predicted rain totals below 0.1 mm and the other conditions are favourable, the rain rule does not prevent GO.
Wind, temperature and UV still matter
Exposed market streets and squares can become unpleasant when wind rises. Gusts may also affect temporary signs, awnings and lightweight displays. The model uses both average wind and gusts rather than treating every dry forecast as suitable. It cannot know whether a market is sheltered, which stalls are anchored correctly, or the manufacturer limits of any canopy. The organiser and vendors remain responsible for their structures and operating decisions.
Browsing can mean a long period outdoors, so apparent temperature influences the result even on a dry day. Very hot or cold conditions can lower the score. UV is shown because exposed queues and slow walking can add up to substantial sun time. GoodDayTo cannot see shade between buildings or stalls, nor individual age, mobility, health, hydration, medication or clothing.
Choose a cooler complete window when possible, carry water and use suitable sun protection. Follow local heat, wind and severe-weather warnings. If conditions at the site are worse than forecast, stop relying on the score and respond to what is actually happening.
Lightning requires a real shelter plan
Thunderstorm signals independently cap the recommendation. The National Weather Service says no place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area: when thunder is heard, move immediately to a substantial building or an enclosed metal-topped vehicle and stay sheltered for at least 30 minutes after the last thunder. Read the official NWS lightning safety guidance.
A covered stall, open-sided tent or awning may keep off light rain but is not a safe lightning refuge. Before visiting a large or remote market, make a lightning safety plan: know where a substantial building or enclosed vehicle is and follow organiser instructions. GoodDayTo cannot track lightning in real time, assess evacuation routes or guarantee that shelter has capacity.
Local Fit is context, not proof a market is operating
Where mapping data is available, Local Fit may show a nearby place tagged as a marketplace in OpenStreetMap. This can help connect the weather answer to a plausible location, but it does not prove a farmers market, street market, craft fair or seasonal market is open today. Mapping coverage varies, and temporary events may not be mapped at all.
GoodDayTo cannot verify opening days, trading hours, cancellation notices, vendor attendance, tickets, pet rules, food availability, toilets, cash machines, step-free routes, parking, public transport or crowd levels. Confirm the organiser’s current information before travelling. If Local Fit finds nothing, the weather result is still valid for the location you entered; the absence of a map result is not evidence that no market exists.
Covered areas, crowds and travel are outside the score
GO does not certify a market site. A venue may be partly covered, completely exposed or moved indoors without the weather feed knowing. The score does not know whether paths drain well, whether wet paving is slippery, whether mobility routes remain usable, or whether an awning is safe in the forecast wind.
GO also does not predict footfall, queues, prices, stock, atmosphere or how enjoyable a particular market will be. Travel conditions can differ from the market location, so check the route separately when driving, cycling or using public transport. Never infer facilities or accessibility from a nearby-place badge.
Better-later behavior and alternatives
If the selected visit is mixed but a later complete market window scores substantially better, GoodDayTo can return WAIT and show the better option. That comparison uses whole blocks rather than cherry-picking a single attractive hour. Forecasts can still change, so recheck shortly before leaving and follow current official warnings.
If the market closes before the suggested later window, the later suggestion is not usable—GoodDayTo does not know the real schedule. Choose a shorter duration only when that is your honest plan. Do not select one hour while expecting to spend five hours outside. For a different outing, compare Garage & Yard Sale, Sightseeing, Outdoor Dining, Fruit Picking or BBQ & Picnic.
Assumptions and limitations
Forecast inputs are hourly and location based. A small shower can miss the forecast point, and conditions can change after the result loads. GoodDayTo does not measure ground condition, drainage, air quality, pollen, insects, road safety, surface grip, shelter quality or emergency response. Local Fit depends on third-party mapping and can be incomplete or out of date.
Use the duration that covers the real outdoor visit, then combine the answer with current official warnings, organiser updates and direct observation. GO, WAIT and NOT TODAY are planning guidance, not a guarantee of safety, accessibility, opening, comfort or a successful event.
Frequently asked questions
How does GoodDayTo check rain across an outdoor market visit?
Every hour in the selected one-, three- or five-hour visit is checked. At least 0.5 mm total rain or a 70% hourly probability caps the result at NOT TODAY; at least 0.1 mm or 40% caps it at WAIT.
Which duration should I choose?
Choose one hour for a quick visit, three hours for browsing and food, or five hours for a large market or seasonal event. Include travel between exposed areas when it is part of the outdoor plan.
Does GoodDayTo know whether the market is open?
No. GoodDayTo checks weather and may show mapped marketplace context, but opening days, hours, cancellations and vendor attendance must be confirmed with the organiser.
What if no marketplace is found nearby?
That does not prove none exists. OpenStreetMap coverage varies, temporary markets may be unmapped, and the weather result remains useful without a nearby-place match.
Does a covered stall make rain, wind and lightning safe?
No. GoodDayTo cannot verify coverage, anchoring or wind ratings, and an open-sided canopy is not a safe lightning shelter. Follow organiser instructions and use a substantial building or enclosed metal-topped vehicle during thunderstorms.
What does WAIT mean for an outdoor market?
WAIT means the selected visit has a caution or a later complete window looks meaningfully better. Moving or honestly shortening the visit may produce a more comfortable plan.