One location is not a whole country

The temperature layer is a way to compare forecast estimates around the world. Each country or territory has one representative location. This makes the globe readable, but it also means the number beside a country is a point estimate rather than a national average.

Read the location before the number

Most locations are capitals from the Natural Earth dataset. Where a capital is unavailable, the list names the representative point instead. Weather can vary across a country, particularly between coastal, inland and high-altitude locations. Use the country list to see which place the marker represents before making a comparison.

Understand what “current forecast” means

OrbitalView obtains forecast data from MET Norway and selects an estimate near the current time. It does not connect to a thermometer in every capital. The displayed temperature may therefore differ from a local observation. Values are rounded to whole degrees Celsius, so a one-degree difference should not be read as a precise comparison of measured conditions.

Check time as well as place

The reading time is shown in UTC. Countries are in different local time zones, so a worldwide comparison can put a daytime location beside a nighttime location. A snapshot of temperatures is not a ranking of national climates. Use the forecast timestamp and named location to understand what each number describes.

Notice missing and saved readings

The layer loads locations progressively and checks for updates every 15 minutes while active. “Loading” means a location has not finished fetching. “Unavailable” means no reading is currently available. A saved label means a previous reading remains after an unsuccessful refresh. Missing values are never replaced with invented temperatures.

Choose the right source for your decision

The layer is useful for exploration and broad comparisons. For a journey, outdoor work or a weather-sensitive activity, consult a local forecast covering the actual location and relevant time. Temperature alone does not tell you about rain, wind, visibility or official warnings.

Data and attribution

Forecasts are provided by MET Norway under CC BY 4.0. Representative capital coordinates use Natural Earth public-domain data. OrbitalView rounds values and places them on the globe.

Open the globe and select Temperature to explore. Report an incorrect location or display problem with the country name and the reading time.