How GoodDayTo judges geocaching weather
Geocaching can look like a simple walk, but the weather decision is slightly different. You may be outside longer than expected, stopping to search near hedges, paths, woodland edges or urban features rather than moving continuously. GoodDayTo therefore rewards mild apparent temperature, lower rain risk, useful daylight and manageable wind instead of assuming the fastest walking conditions are always best.
Rain matters because a shower can turn a short cache hunt into a muddy or slippery search, especially when the final coordinates lead off a paved path. Wind matters less than it does for drone flying or archery, but strong gusts can still make woodland or exposed areas uncomfortable. High UV is also treated as a comfort caution for longer daytime sessions.
The score deliberately does not use a geocache database. GoodDayTo does not know whether a particular cache is active, temporarily disabled, on private land, behind a closed gate, difficult to reach, or suitable for children. That information belongs to the cache listing and the platform you use to find it.
Why geocaching gets its own model
A generic “nice day” score would miss the fact that geocaching often involves slow searching, repeated stops and uneven surfaces. A cool dry morning can therefore be more useful than a hotter sunny afternoon. The app searches a complete block rather than one isolated hour so a two-hour hunt is less likely to run straight into a forecast shower.
What GO, WAIT and NOT TODAY mean
GO means the forecast weather looks cooperative for the requested window. WAIT means conditions are mixed or another period looks noticeably better. NOT TODAY means rain, temperature, wind or another weather signal makes the available window a poor fit. None of those labels confirms route access or cache status.
What the score cannot know
GoodDayTo cannot see cache difficulty, terrain rating, livestock, hunting activity, trail closures, property boundaries, local rules, ticks, insects, mud, flooding, fallen branches or whether the coordinates remain accurate. Use the weather result as the first planning layer, then check the listing and the actual route.
- Apparent temperature
- Rain probability
- Measured precipitation
- Wind & gusts
- UV index
- Daylight
Practical checks before you go
- Open the cache listing before leaving and check recent logs for access or maintenance notes.
- Use footwear for the real terrain, not only the weather score.
- Do not enter private or restricted land just because the weather looks good.
Frequently asked questions
Does GoodDayTo know where geocaches are?
No. It scores the weather only. Use your geocaching service or listing to choose and verify caches.
Why does darkness lower the score?
Finding containers, reading terrain and moving off paved routes are usually easier in daylight, so ordinary geocaching is not promoted as a night activity.
Can a dry forecast still be muddy?
Yes. Recent rain, drainage and ground type can leave paths muddy long after rainfall stops.
Does GO mean the route is safe?
No. Access, terrain, local hazards and the cache listing remain separate checks.
Can I use this for a night cache?
The default geocaching model prefers daylight. A cache specifically designed for night use may have different needs, so follow the listing and local access rules rather than treating the daytime score as a night-cache clearance.