Official sources first. Live feeds come from agencies like NOAA, the National Hurricane Center, the Storm Prediction Center and the National Weather Service — or, where no government source exists, established public networks like Windy and Blitzortung.

We say when something is a model, not an observation. Forecast graphics are labeled as such, separate from confirmed official data, so it’s clear which is which.

We disclose the gaps. If a data source is unreliable, unverified, or simply doesn’t exist for a region, we say so directly on the page rather than filling the space with something that looks more complete than it is.

Live data whenever available. Our tools retrieve information directly from their underlying data sources, helping keep conditions as current as the source permits. Update frequency varies by provider, and some observations may be delayed.

Not a safety tool. Orbis Weather is built for situational awareness, not emergency decision-making. Always follow the specific watches, warnings and advisories issued for your area by your local official meteorological agency — that’s the National Weather Service in the United States, and the relevant national agency elsewhere.