New SunSoak multiselect UTCI modifiers pulldown
Linked new SunSoak to profiles
Updated content to match new changes
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<meta charset="UTF-8" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<title>About SunScope · The True Temperature</title>
<meta name="description" content="SunScope uses the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and an original soak-factor formula to show how the weather will really feel on your body — including the effect of rain, snow, wind, solar radiation, air quality, pollen, and visibility." />
<meta name="description" content="SunScope uses the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and its original SunSoak index to show how the weather will really feel on your body — including rain, snow, wind, solar radiation, environment type, air quality, pollen, and visibility." />
<meta name="robots" content="index, follow" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://sunscope.net/about.html" />
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<meta property="og:title" content="About SunScope · The True Temperature" />
<meta property="og:description" content="What is UTCI? How does the SunScope soak-factor work? Learn how SunScope calculates urban concrete heat, vehicle interior temperatures, and gives you a more honest outdoor comfort forecast." />
<meta property="og:description" content="What is UTCI? How does SunSoak work? Learn how SunScope calculates felt temperature across different environments — forest, alpine, beach, desert and more — plus urban heat, vehicle temperatures, and an honest outdoor comfort forecast." />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://sunscope.net/about.html" />
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@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
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<meta name="twitter:title" content="About SunScope · The True Temperature" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="What is UTCI? How does the SunScope soak-factor work? Learn how SunScope calculates urban heat, vehicle interior temperatures, and gives you a more honest outdoor comfort forecast." />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="What is UTCI? How does SunSoak work? Learn how SunScope calculates felt temperature across different environments — forest, alpine, beach, desert and more — plus urban heat, vehicle temperatures, and an honest outdoor comfort forecast." />
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@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@
"@type": "WebSite",
"name": "SunScope",
"url": "https://sunscope.net",
"description": "SunScope is a free outdoor thermal comfort forecast using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and the SunScope soak-factor for precipitation."
"description": "SunScope is a free outdoor thermal comfort forecast using the Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) and the SunSoak index — combining precipitation, environment modifiers, and mean radiant temperature into a single honest felt-temperature number."
}
</script>
<script type="application/ld+json">
@@ -70,10 +70,10 @@
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is the SunScope soak-factor?",
"name": "What is the SunScope SunSoak index?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "The SunScope soak-factor is an original precipitation penalty formula that reduces the UTCI felt-temperature value based on rain intensity, snowfall, and wind speed — reflecting the extra chill of wet clothing and skin that standard UTCI does not account for. The result is shown as UTCI+P."
"text": "SunSoak is SunScope's signature felt-temperature index. It starts from UTCI — the biometeorological standard combining air temperature, humidity, wind, and solar radiation — then layers three extra dimensions on top: a rain and snow penalty (wet clothing can drop felt temperature by up to 8 degrees C), an environment modifier that adjusts the solar load for where you actually are (forest canopy, alpine altitude, lakeside reflection, shaded riverbank, desert ground heat), and the full radiant heat from surrounding surfaces. The result is a single number that honestly answers: what will my body actually feel out there?"
}
},
{
@@ -244,9 +244,13 @@
peer-reviewed biometeorological standard developed by
<a href="https://utci.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Bröde et al. (2012)</a>
and used globally in heat-health warning systems and urban planning. On top of that, SunScope
layers its own <strong>soak-factor</strong> precipitation penalty — because UTCI alone doesn't
account for the extra chill of rain soaking through your clothes on a windy day. The combined
result is the <strong>UTCI+P</strong> score: a more honest, real-world comfort number.
builds its own <strong>SunSoak</strong> index — because UTCI alone doesn't account for the full
picture of where you actually are and what the weather is actually doing to you. SunSoak layers
three extra dimensions on top of UTCI: a <strong>rain and snow penalty</strong> for the chill of
wet clothing and skin; an <strong>environment modifier</strong> that adjusts the solar and
thermal load for your surroundings (forest canopy, alpine altitude, lakeside glare, shaded
riverbank, desert ground heat); and the full radiant heat absorbed from surrounding surfaces.
One number that honestly answers: <em>what will my body actually feel out there?</em>
</p>
<p>
Forecast data is sourced in real time from <strong>Open-Meteo</strong>, a free and open-source
@@ -322,7 +326,7 @@
<p>
<strong>Day strip weather and temperatures.</strong> Each day tab in the date selector shows the
day's forecast at a glance: a weather icon representing the dominant daytime conditions (sun,
cloud variants, or precipitation), plus the day's high and low UTCI+P felt temperatures in
cloud variants, or precipitation), plus the day's high and low SunSoak felt temperatures in
warm and cool colours. The icon uses the actual daytime solar elevation and cloud category data
so it reflects the real character of the day rather than a generic symbol.
</p>
@@ -341,17 +345,38 @@
it also appears as a banner above the forecast table alongside the weather alerts.
</p>
<h2>What is the SunScope soak-factor?</h2>
<h2>What is SunSoak?</h2>
<p>
Standard UTCI does not account for precipitation — it tells you how cold the wind and sun make
you feel, but not the extra chill of rain soaking your clothing or snow settling on your skin.
The <strong>SunScope soak-factor</strong> fills that gap with an original penalty formula.
Standard UTCI is calculated assuming open, unshaded conditions with no precipitation — it tells
you how the wind and sun affect your body, but not the full picture of where you actually are or
what the weather is actively doing to you. <strong>SunSoak</strong> fills those gaps with three
layers of original calculation stacked on top of the UTCI foundation.
</p>
<p>
Light drizzle (under 1 mm/hr) reduces the felt temperature by roughly 12 °C. Heavy rain
combined with strong wind can push it down by 78 °C. Snowfall carries an additional penalty
on top of any rain adjustment. The result is shown in the <strong>UTCI+P</strong> column —
a more honest, real-world comfort score for anyone heading outdoors.
<strong>The precipitation penalty.</strong> Rain and snow are not in UTCI. The soak-factor
formula adds an original penalty based on rain intensity, snowfall rate, and wind speed —
reflecting the extra chill of wet clothing and skin. Light drizzle (under 1 mm/hr) reduces the
felt temperature by roughly 12 °C. Heavy rain combined with strong wind can push it down by
78 °C. Snowfall carries an additional penalty on top.
</p>
<p>
<strong>The environment modifier.</strong> UTCI assumes you are standing in the open. SunSoak
adjusts the solar radiation load and air temperature for six distinct environments, selectable
from a dropdown on the SunSoak column: <em>Open / Exposed</em> (the UTCI default);
<em>Forest / Woodland</em> (canopy reduces direct radiation by ~85%, evapotranspiration
cooling lowers apparent air temperature); <em>High Altitude / Alpine</em> (thinner atmosphere
increases radiation dose by ~15% at 2,000 m); <em>Beach / Lakeside</em> (water and sand
reflection increases effective solar load); <em>River / Riverbank</em> (partial canopy and
strong evaporative cooling from the water surface); and <em>Desert / Arid</em> (extreme
radiation from high-albedo ground, with significant ground-level heat adding to felt
temperature). Selecting a Place or Activity profile automatically sets the most appropriate
environment for that context — but you can always override it manually.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Mean radiant temperature.</strong> The full radiant heat load from surrounding surfaces
— ground, walls, sky, and direct sun — is calculated as Mean Radiant Temperature (Tmrt) and
fed into the UTCI polynomial. On a sunny day this alone can add 2030 °C to the felt
temperature compared to a shaded reading.
</p>
<h2>Forecast profiles</h2>
@@ -370,9 +395,9 @@
<p>
The default view — clean and uncluttered, showing the essentials for any outdoor situation.
<strong>Air temperature</strong>, <strong>wind speed</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>,
<strong>visibility</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>UTCI+P</strong> — the adjusted felt temperature
that combines sun, wind, humidity, and rain into a single honest number. The right starting
point for most people most of the time.
<strong>visibility</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>SunSoak</strong> — the
felt-temperature index that combines sun, wind, humidity, rain, and your environment into a
single honest number. The right starting point for most people most of the time.
</p>
</div>
@@ -409,7 +434,7 @@
heating. <strong>Wind speed</strong> is included because it matters significantly for
high-sided vehicles and caravans. <strong>Cloud cover</strong> and <strong>air
temperature</strong> give context, <strong>precipitation</strong> covers driving
conditions, and <strong>UTCI+P</strong> tells you what it will feel like when you step
conditions, and <strong>SunSoak</strong> tells you what it will feel like when you step
outside. <strong>Soil moisture</strong> is included specifically for motorhome and caravan
users — values above 40% indicate saturated ground where pitching or manoeuvring
is likely to cause problems.
@@ -431,7 +456,7 @@
it back long after sunset, and the lack of vegetation means there's no evaporative
cooling. Columns: <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>wind speed and direction</strong>,
<strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>visibility</strong>, <strong>air quality index</strong>,
<strong>UV-A index</strong>, <strong>burn time</strong>, <strong>UTCI+P</strong>,
<strong>UV-A index</strong>, <strong>burn time</strong>, <strong>SunSoak</strong>,
<strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>concrete surface temperature</strong>.
</p>
<p>
@@ -442,14 +467,14 @@
makes hot beach days feel muggy, <strong>wind speed and direction</strong> matters for
comfort and sea state, and <strong>sun elevation</strong> tells you when the UV load
peaks. <strong>Visibility</strong> is included for sea-state and horizon conditions.
<strong>UTCI+P</strong> and <strong>precipitation</strong> round out the picture.
<strong>SunSoak</strong> and <strong>precipitation</strong> round out the picture.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Events</strong> — for general outdoor gatherings: markets, sports fixtures, open-air
concerts, and public events. Focuses on the crowd comfort picture: <strong>air
temperature</strong>, <strong>wind speed and direction</strong> (useful for exposed
grandstands and open sites), <strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>UV-A</strong> and
<strong>burn time</strong> for daytime events, <strong>UTCI+P</strong> for overall felt
<strong>burn time</strong> for daytime events, <strong>SunSoak</strong> for overall felt
comfort, <strong>precipitation</strong>, <strong>pollen</strong> (important for
allergy-sensitive attendees), and <strong>concrete surface temperature</strong>
— relevant for anyone standing or sitting on sun-exposed hard standing for extended periods.
@@ -458,7 +483,7 @@
<strong>Park / Picnic</strong> — a lighter view for casual outdoor time in green spaces.
Shows the essentials without the urban or specialist columns: <strong>air temperature</strong>,
<strong>wind speed</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>burn time</strong>,
<strong>UTCI+P</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>pollen</strong>
<strong>SunSoak</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>pollen</strong>
— useful for anyone with hay fever deciding whether to head out.
</p>
<p>
@@ -470,7 +495,7 @@
</p>
<p>
<strong>Festival · Extra</strong> — multi-day outdoor events live or die by two things: the
weather comfort and the state of the ground. Focuses on <strong>UTCI+P</strong> for how
weather comfort and the state of the ground. Focuses on <strong>SunSoak</strong> for how
cold and wet conditions will actually feel, <strong>wind speed and direction</strong> for
tent and stage exposure, <strong>dew point</strong> for overnight condensation,
<strong>UV-A</strong> and <strong>burn time</strong> for daytime sun protection,
@@ -486,7 +511,7 @@
for working at height and crane operations), <strong>cloud cover</strong>,
<strong>visibility</strong>, <strong>air quality index</strong> (dust and diesel
particulates compound background pollution), <strong>UTCI</strong> for heat stress on
workers, <strong>UTCI+P</strong> for wet-weather comfort, and <strong>precipitation</strong>.
workers, <strong>SunSoak</strong> for wet-weather comfort, and <strong>precipitation</strong>.
</p>
</div>
@@ -504,7 +529,7 @@
<strong>dew point</strong> (critical for frost risk and disease pressure on crops),
<strong>wind speed and direction</strong> (essential for safe spraying windows),
<strong>cloud cover</strong> and <strong>sun elevation</strong> for light levels,
<strong>UTCI+P</strong> for heat stress on the person working outdoors,
<strong>SunSoak</strong> for heat stress on the person working outdoors,
<strong>precipitation</strong>, <strong>air quality index</strong> and <strong>pollen</strong>
(relevant for outdoor workers and spray-window planning), and the three soil columns:
<strong>surface soil temperature</strong>, <strong>soil temperature at 6 cm</strong>
@@ -516,7 +541,7 @@
factor: headwinds add significant effort, crosswinds affect handling, and gusts are a
safety concern on open roads. Shows <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>wind speed
and direction</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>burn time</strong>,
<strong>UTCI+P</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>visibility</strong>
<strong>SunSoak</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>visibility</strong>
— useful for road cycling in low-light or foggy conditions.
</p>
<p>
@@ -524,14 +549,14 @@
Shows <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>relative humidity</strong> (sweat
evaporation is less effective in humid air, raising heat stress faster),
<strong>wind speed</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>UTCI</strong> for raw
heat stress, <strong>burn time</strong>, <strong>UTCI+P</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>,
heat stress, <strong>burn time</strong>, <strong>SunSoak</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>,
and <strong>pollen</strong> — relevant for asthma and hay fever sufferers pacing their
outdoor training.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Dog Walking</strong> — focused on the comfort and safety of both owner and dog.
Shows <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>wind speed</strong>, <strong>cloud
cover</strong>, <strong>UTCI+P</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and
cover</strong>, <strong>SunSoak</strong>, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and
<strong>pollen</strong>. The Vehicle profile's concrete surface temperature is the better
companion for pavement heat safety on hot days.
</p>
@@ -544,7 +569,7 @@
<strong>cloud cover</strong>, and <strong>sun elevation</strong> for visibility and glare.
UV exposure is significantly higher on open water due to reflection off the surface, so
<strong>UV-A index</strong> and <strong>burn time</strong> are included.
<strong>UTCI+P</strong> captures the combined effect of wet, windy conditions,
<strong>SunSoak</strong> captures the combined effect of wet, windy conditions,
<strong>visibility</strong> (essential for safe passage — fog and haze at sea are serious
hazards), and <strong>precipitation</strong> rounds out the picture for passage planning.
</p>
@@ -556,14 +581,14 @@
shown with <strong>burn time</strong>. <strong>Wind speed and direction</strong> is
critical for wind chill at speed and for avalanche and exposure risk on open slopes.
<strong>Sun elevation</strong> indicates glare and visibility conditions on snow.
<strong>UTCI+P</strong>, <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>,
<strong>SunSoak</strong>, <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>,
<strong>visibility</strong> (critical for whiteout and low-cloud conditions on the
mountain), and <strong>precipitation</strong> (snow vs rain) complete the picture.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Naturist · Extra</strong> — with no clothing buffer between skin and environment,
every weather variable matters more. Wind chill at even modest speeds becomes significant,
so both the raw <strong>UTCI</strong> and <strong>UTCI+P</strong> are shown. Both
so both the raw <strong>UTCI</strong> and <strong>SunSoak</strong> are shown. Both
<strong>UV-A</strong> and <strong>UV-B</strong> are included — full-body UV exposure is a
serious consideration — alongside <strong>burn time</strong>, <strong>sun elevation</strong>,
<strong>dew point</strong> for humidity comfort, <strong>wind</strong>, <strong>cloud
@@ -576,7 +601,7 @@
more serious than in urban areas. Shows <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>wind speed
and direction</strong>, <strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>sun elevation</strong>, both
<strong>UV-A</strong> and <strong>UV-B</strong> with <strong>burn time</strong> (altitude
increases UV exposure), <strong>UTCI</strong> and <strong>UTCI+P</strong>,
increases UV exposure), <strong>UTCI</strong> and <strong>SunSoak</strong>,
<strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>visibility</strong> (critical for navigation
in poor conditions).
</p>
@@ -592,7 +617,7 @@
<strong>Fishing · Extra</strong> — river and sea anglers need to read conditions that most
weather apps don't surface. Shows <strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>dew point</strong>
(morning condensation and hatch activity on rivers), <strong>wind speed and direction</strong>,
<strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>UTCI+P</strong> for what it will actually feel like
<strong>cloud cover</strong>, <strong>SunSoak</strong> for what it will actually feel like
on an exposed bank or boat, <strong>precipitation</strong>, and <strong>visibility</strong>
for sea and estuary conditions.
</p>
@@ -602,10 +627,10 @@
<p class="profile-name">🌡️ Temps · Extra</p>
<p>
A comparison view that brings all temperature-derived columns into one place:
<strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>UTCI+P</strong>, <strong>surface soil
temperature</strong>, <strong>concrete surface temperature</strong>, <strong>vehicle
interior temperature</strong>, <strong>indoor temperature</strong>, and <strong>managed
indoor temperature</strong>. Useful for understanding how the same weather conditions
<strong>air temperature</strong>, <strong>SunSoak felt temperature</strong>,
<strong>surface soil temperature</strong>, <strong>concrete surface temperature</strong>,
<strong>vehicle interior temperature</strong>, <strong>indoor temperature</strong>, and
<strong>managed indoor temperature</strong>. Useful for understanding how the same weather conditions
manifest across different environments simultaneously.
</p>
</div>
@@ -617,7 +642,7 @@
temperature, dew point, relative humidity, wind, direction, cloud, visibility, air quality
index, pollen, sun elevation, direct and diffuse radiation, mean radiant temperature,
UTCI delta, UTCI, UV-A, UV-B, burn time, vehicle interior, indoor, managed indoor,
soil temperatures, soil moisture, concrete surface, precipitation, and UTCI+P. Build
soil temperatures, soil moisture, concrete surface, precipitation, and SunSoak. Build
exactly the view that suits your situation.
</p>
</div>
@@ -648,7 +673,7 @@
<tr><td><strong>UV-A</strong></td><td>Estimated UV-A radiation index. UV-A penetrates deeper into the skin and contributes to long-term ageing and some skin cancers, even through glass. Present throughout daylight hours.</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UV-B</strong></td><td>Estimated UV-B radiation index. Causes sunburn and drives vitamin D production. Intensity falls sharply at low solar elevations due to the longer atmospheric path length.</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Burn time</strong></td><td>Estimated time to reach one Minimal Erythemal Dose (MED) — the threshold for sunburn — based on the UV index and your selected Fitzpatrick skin type. A guide, not a medical measurement.</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>UTCI+P °C</strong></td><td>SunScope's adjusted felt temperature: UTCI plus the soak-factor penalty for rain and snow. Wet clothing and skin can reduce the effective felt temperature by up to 8 °C in heavy, windy rain.</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>SunSoak °C</strong></td><td>SunScope's signature felt-temperature index. Starts from UTCI then adds three layers: a rain and snow penalty (wet clothing can drop felt temperature by up to 8 °C), an environment modifier for where you actually are (forest, alpine, beach, river, desert), and full mean radiant temperature from surrounding surfaces. The most honest single answer to: what will it actually feel like out there?</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Precip mm</strong></td><td>Expected rainfall or snowfall in mm per hour. Even light drizzle meaningfully reduces felt temperature when combined with wind.</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Soil °C surface</strong></td><td>Temperature of the soil at the surface (0 cm depth). Most seeds germinate above 710 °C. Useful for sowing decisions and frost assessment.</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Soil °C 6 cm</strong></td><td>Soil temperature at 6 cm depth — the root zone for many crops and seedlings. Lags behind the surface by several hours.</td></tr>
@@ -712,7 +737,7 @@
</p>
<h2>Reading the stress bands</h2>
<p>SunScope maps every UTCI+P value to a thermal stress band so you can read conditions at a glance:</p>
<p>SunScope maps every SunSoak value to a thermal stress band so you can read conditions at a glance:</p>
<table class="stress-table">
<thead>
@@ -741,7 +766,7 @@
<details class="faq-block">
<summary class="faq-q">Why does SunScope sometimes show a lower temperature than my regular weather app?</summary>
<p class="faq-a">Wind chill and precipitation both reduce felt temperature. If it's raining or blustery, the UTCI+P value will be noticeably lower than the thermometer reading — which is exactly what your body experiences.</p>
<p class="faq-a">Wind chill and precipitation both reduce felt temperature. If it's raining or blustery, the SunSoak value will be noticeably lower than the thermometer reading — which is exactly what your body experiences.</p>
</details>
<details class="faq-block">
@@ -811,7 +836,7 @@
<details class="faq-block">
<summary class="faq-q">What does the weather icon and temperature on each day tab mean?</summary>
<p class="faq-a">Each day tab in the date strip shows a small weather icon representing the dominant daytime sky conditions — a sun disc for clear days, cloud variants (wispy cirrus, scattered cumulus, overcast) for cloudy days, or a precipitation icon for rainy or snowy days. Below the icon are the day's high and low UTCI+P felt temperatures in warm and cool colours. The icon is derived from actual daytime solar elevation and cloud data, so it reflects the real character of the day rather than a generic symbol.</p>
<p class="faq-a">Each day tab in the date strip shows a small weather icon representing the dominant daytime sky conditions — a sun disc for clear days, cloud variants (wispy cirrus, scattered cumulus, overcast) for cloudy days, or a precipitation icon for rainy or snowy days. Below the icon are the day's high and low SunSoak felt temperatures in warm and cool colours. The icon is derived from actual daytime solar elevation and cloud data, so it reflects the real character of the day rather than a generic symbol.</p>
</details>
<details class="faq-block">