You check the forecast — 12°C. Do you grab a light jacket or a heavy coat? Is a hoodie enough or will you be shivering by lunchtime? Getting dressed for the weather is something most of us do on instinct, but a simple temperature guide can take the guesswork out of it entirely.
Here's exactly what to wear at every temperature range — in both Celsius and Fahrenheit.
| Temperature | Conditions | What to Wear |
|---|---|---|
| 30°C+ (86°F+) | 🔴 Very Hot | Light, loose clothing — shorts, t-shirt, sandals. Sun hat and sunscreen essential. |
| 24–29°C (75–84°F) | 🟠 Hot | Shorts and a t-shirt. Light fabrics like cotton or linen. Sunglasses recommended. |
| 18–23°C (64–73°F) | 🟡 Warm | T-shirt with optional light layer. Jeans or light trousers comfortable. |
| 12–17°C (54–63°F) | 🟢 Mild | Light jacket or hoodie. Long trousers. Layers you can remove if it warms up. |
| 6–11°C (43–52°F) | 🔵 Cool | A proper jacket, scarf optional. Closed shoes. Consider a mid-layer underneath. |
| 0–5°C (32–41°F) | 🟣 Cold | Winter coat, warm layers underneath, scarf, gloves. Warm socks and boots. |
| Below 0°C (32°F) | ⚪ Freezing | Heavy winter coat, thermal base layers, hat, gloves, scarf. Cover all exposed skin. |
The thermometer reading alone doesn't tell you how cold it will actually feel. Two factors can make a significant difference:
Wind chill: Wind strips heat away from your body. A calm 5°C day feels pleasant in a light jacket — but 5°C with 40 km/h winds can feel closer to -2°C. Always check the wind speed alongside the temperature.
Humidity: High humidity makes hot temperatures feel even hotter and stickier. Low humidity in winter can make cold air feel sharper and drier on your skin and throat.
For anything between 5°C and 15°C, layering is your best strategy. Three thin layers will always outperform one thick layer — you can remove them as the day warms up. A good base layer (close to the skin), a mid layer (for insulation), and an outer layer (for wind and rain) gives you flexibility whatever the day brings.
Temperature guides only help if it stays dry. Before heading out, check the precipitation forecast too. A 15°C day that's dry is jacket weather — but 15°C with rain and wind can feel genuinely cold without a waterproof outer layer.
ClearCast shows you the actual temperature, the Feels Like temperature, wind speed, humidity, and rain probability all in one place — everything you need to get dressed right the first time. No more stepping outside underdressed or overdressed.