Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about forecasts, rain risk, drying and water spots.
Is this just a rain forecast?
No. Rain matters most, but the verdict also considers drying conditions (wind + humidity), temperature, and time-of-day factors that influence how quickly you can rinse and dry without streaks or water spots.
How accurate is the verdict?
We use hourly forecast data. Forecasts are probabilistic — especially showers and local breezes. Use the site as a guide alongside looking at the sky and your own driveway conditions.
What does the score mean?
The score is a simple 0–100 guide for ‘how practical is it to wash and get a clean finish right now?’. It is not a guarantee — it’s a decision aid built from rain risk and drying conditions.
Can I wash my car before rain?
Sometimes yes. If there’s enough time to wash, rinse, and dry before the first shower, it can be worth it — especially for removing salt and road film.
Is it bad to wash in direct sunlight?
It increases the chance of streaks and water spots because panels are hot and rinse water evaporates quickly. If you can’t avoid the sun, wash smaller sections and dry immediately.
Can I wash my car when it’s cold or frosty?
Often yes above a few degrees, but near-freezing conditions can refreeze water in door shuts and seals. If it’s close to 0°C with a breeze, it’s usually better to wait or do a quick salt rinse and dry carefully.
Where does the weather data come from?
Forecasts are provided by Open-Meteo (open-meteo.com). We don’t run a weather model ourselves; we interpret hourly forecast fields into a simple car-wash verdict.
Do you store my exact location?
You can search by place name and optionally save a favourite place in your browser. You can also use GPS to find your area — that’s processed to get a local forecast, and the saved place is stored locally on your device.
Can you guarantee it won’t rain?
No — showers can be hyper-local and forecasts can miss them. Think of this site as the quickest way to make a good decision, not as a promise.
Prefer practical reading? Browse the articles.