diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 3b87454..39548b6 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -33,3 +33,16 @@ AGENTS.md
 
 # Claude Code scratch: throwaway probe scripts, never committed
 /.scratch
+
+# Empty stubs the Claude Code sandbox mounts over shell/editor dotfiles while it
+# runs. They are not project files and keep sneaking into commits via `git add -A`.
+/.bash_profile
+/.bashrc
+/.profile
+/.zprofile
+/.zshrc
+/.gitconfig
+/.gitmodules
+/.ripgreprc
+/.idea
+/.mcp.json
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 6e7136a..0790d6e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,6 +46,12 @@ Pages that are not prerendered (unlisted cities, GPS coordinate routes like
 and resolves the location client-side. Configure the server to serve
 `404.html` for unknown paths.
 
+Serve it as an **internal rewrite (200)**, not as an error page. `error_page
+404 /404.html` sends the right body with a 404 status: the page works, but
+every hard reload of an unprerendered URL logs a 404 in the network panel and
+tells crawlers the page does not exist. `try_files` with a URI as its last
+argument does an internal redirect instead, and answers 200.
+
 ### 2. Cross-origin isolation (SharedArrayBuffer for the embedded map)
 
 The `/weather/maps/` page embeds `maps.open-meteo.com`, which uses
@@ -83,11 +89,12 @@ drizzli.example.com {
 server {
 	server_name drizzli.example.com;
 	root /srv/drizzli;
-	error_page 404 /404.html;
 	add_header Cross-Origin-Opener-Policy "same-origin" always;
 	add_header Cross-Origin-Embedder-Policy "require-corp" always;
 	location / {
-		try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
+		# the trailing /404.html is a URI, so nginx rewrites internally and
+		# answers 200 - `error_page 404 /404.html` would answer 404 instead
+		try_files $uri $uri/index.html /404.html;
 	}
 }
 ```
diff --git a/messages/de.json b/messages/de.json
index 56e29ee..93a7c0e 100644
--- a/messages/de.json
+++ b/messages/de.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"$schema": "https://inlang.com/schema/inlang-message-format",
-	"nav_week": "7-Tage-Vorhersage",
+	"nav_week": "Wochenvorhersage",
 	"nav_compare": "Modellvergleich",
 	"nav_14day": "14-Tage-Vorhersage",
 	"nav_seasonal": "Saisonal",
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 	"day_today": "Heute",
 	"day_tomorrow": "Morgen",
 	"day_yesterday": "Gestern",
-	"page_week_subtitle": "7-Tage-Vorhersage",
+	"page_week_subtitle": "Wochenvorhersage",
 	"page_compare_subtitle": "Modellvergleich",
 	"page_14day_subtitle": "14-Tage-Ensemblevorhersage",
 	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "Saisonale Aussichten",
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
 	"period_morning": "morgens",
 	"period_afternoon": "nachmittags",
 	"period_evening": "in den Abendstunden",
-	"footer_tagline": "Schnelle, unkomplizierte Wettervorhersagen auf Basis offener Daten.",
+	"footer_tagline": "Schnelle, gratis, unkomplizierte Wettervorhersagen auf Basis offener Daten.",
 	"footer_data_by": "Wetterdaten von",
 	"footer_forecasts": "Vorhersagen",
 	"footer_popular": "Beliebte Orte",
@@ -260,6 +260,8 @@
 	"table_interval_aria": "Stundenintervall",
 	"table_now": "Jetzt",
 	"interval_toggle": "Zwischen 1- und 3-Stunden-Intervall wechseln",
+	"page_loading": "Wird geladen…",
+	"page_loading_dismiss": "Schließen",
 	"charts_loading": "Diagramme werden geladen…",
 	"chart_download": "Meteogramm als PNG-Bild herunterladen",
 	"chart_credit_viz": "Visualisierung von",
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@
 	"legend_show": "Legende anzeigen",
 	"meteograms_none_before": "Keine Meteogramme konfiguriert,",
 	"meteograms_none_action": "fügen Sie Variablen hinzu",
-	"meteograms_none_historical": "Keine Meteogramme konfiguriert. Fügen Sie Variablen auf der 7-Tage-Seite hinzu.",
+	"meteograms_none_historical": "Keine Meteogramme konfiguriert. Fügen Sie Variablen auf der Wochenvorhersage-Seite hinzu.",
 	"search_searching": "Wird gesucht…",
 	"search_favorites": "Favoriten",
 	"search_recent": "Zuletzt",
@@ -280,6 +282,7 @@
 	"model_automatic_selection": "Automatische Auswahl",
 	"model_selector_aria": "Auswahl: {label}",
 	"compare_models_heading": "Modelle",
+	"compare_models_choose": "Modelle für den Vergleich wählen",
 	"compare_variables_heading": "Stündliche Wettervariablen",
 	"compare_standard_preset": "Standardvergleich",
 	"compare_weather_conditions": "Wetterlage & Gesamtbewölkung",
@@ -385,5 +388,35 @@
 	"cadence_varies": "variiert",
 	"model_group_automatic": "Automatisch",
 	"model_group_reanalysis": "ECMWF-Reanalyse",
-	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Regionale Reanalyse"
+	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Regionale Reanalyse",
+	"wmo_0": "Klarer Himmel",
+	"wmo_1": "Überwiegend klar",
+	"wmo_2": "Teils bewölkt",
+	"wmo_3": "Bedeckt",
+	"wmo_45": "Nebel",
+	"wmo_48": "Gefrierender Nebel",
+	"wmo_51": "Leichter Nieselregen",
+	"wmo_53": "Mäßiger Nieselregen",
+	"wmo_55": "Starker Nieselregen",
+	"wmo_56": "Leichter gefrierender Nieselregen",
+	"wmo_57": "Starker gefrierender Nieselregen",
+	"wmo_61": "Leichter Regen",
+	"wmo_63": "Mäßiger Regen",
+	"wmo_65": "Starker Regen",
+	"wmo_66": "Leichter gefrierender Regen",
+	"wmo_67": "Starker gefrierender Regen",
+	"wmo_71": "Leichter Schneefall",
+	"wmo_73": "Mäßiger Schneefall",
+	"wmo_75": "Starker Schneefall",
+	"wmo_77": "Schneegriesel",
+	"wmo_80": "Leichte Regenschauer",
+	"wmo_81": "Mäßige Regenschauer",
+	"wmo_82": "Heftige Regenschauer",
+	"wmo_85": "Leichte Schneeschauer",
+	"wmo_86": "Starke Schneeschauer",
+	"wmo_95": "Gewitter",
+	"wmo_96": "Gewitter mit leichtem Hagel",
+	"wmo_99": "Gewitter mit starkem Hagel",
+	"summary_read_more": "Mehr anzeigen",
+	"summary_read_less": "Weniger anzeigen"
 }
diff --git a/messages/en.json b/messages/en.json
index 162b91a..b26aeb1 100644
--- a/messages/en.json
+++ b/messages/en.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"$schema": "https://inlang.com/schema/inlang-message-format",
-	"nav_week": "7-Day Forecast",
+	"nav_week": "Weekly Forecast",
 	"nav_compare": "Model Comparison",
 	"nav_14day": "14-Day Forecast",
 	"nav_seasonal": "Seasonal",
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@
 	"day_today": "Today",
 	"day_tomorrow": "Tomorrow",
 	"day_yesterday": "Yesterday",
-	"page_week_subtitle": "7-day forecast",
+	"page_week_subtitle": "Weekly forecast",
 	"page_compare_subtitle": "Model comparison",
 	"page_14day_subtitle": "14-day ensemble forecast",
 	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "Seasonal outlook",
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@
 	"period_morning": "in the morning",
 	"period_afternoon": "in the afternoon",
 	"period_evening": "in the evening",
-	"footer_tagline": "Fast, no-nonsense weather forecasts built on open data.",
+	"footer_tagline": "Fast, free, no-nonsense weather forecasts built on open data.",
 	"footer_data_by": "Weather data by",
 	"footer_forecasts": "Forecasts",
 	"footer_popular": "Popular locations",
@@ -260,6 +260,8 @@
 	"table_interval_aria": "Hourly interval",
 	"table_now": "Now",
 	"interval_toggle": "Toggle between 1-hour and 3-hour intervals",
+	"page_loading": "Loading…",
+	"page_loading_dismiss": "Dismiss",
 	"charts_loading": "Loading charts...",
 	"chart_download": "Download meteogram as PNG image",
 	"chart_credit_viz": "visualisation by",
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@
 	"legend_show": "Show legend",
 	"meteograms_none_before": "No meteograms configured,",
 	"meteograms_none_action": "add some variables",
-	"meteograms_none_historical": "No meteograms configured. Add variables from the 7-day forecast page.",
+	"meteograms_none_historical": "No meteograms configured. Add variables from the weekly forecast page.",
 	"search_searching": "Searching...",
 	"search_favorites": "Favorites",
 	"search_recent": "Recent",
@@ -280,6 +282,7 @@
 	"model_automatic_selection": "Automatic selection",
 	"model_selector_aria": "{label} selection",
 	"compare_models_heading": "Models",
+	"compare_models_choose": "Choose which models to plot",
 	"compare_variables_heading": "Hourly Weather Variables",
 	"compare_standard_preset": "Standard comparison",
 	"compare_weather_conditions": "Weather conditions & cloud cover",
@@ -385,5 +388,35 @@
 	"cadence_varies": "varies",
 	"model_group_automatic": "Automatic",
 	"model_group_reanalysis": "ECMWF reanalysis",
-	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Regional reanalysis"
+	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Regional reanalysis",
+	"wmo_0": "Clear sky",
+	"wmo_1": "Mainly clear",
+	"wmo_2": "Partly cloudy",
+	"wmo_3": "Overcast",
+	"wmo_45": "Fog",
+	"wmo_48": "Depositing rime fog",
+	"wmo_51": "Light drizzle",
+	"wmo_53": "Moderate drizzle",
+	"wmo_55": "Dense drizzle",
+	"wmo_56": "Light freezing drizzle",
+	"wmo_57": "Dense freezing drizzle",
+	"wmo_61": "Slight rain",
+	"wmo_63": "Moderate rain",
+	"wmo_65": "Heavy rain",
+	"wmo_66": "Light freezing rain",
+	"wmo_67": "Heavy freezing rain",
+	"wmo_71": "Slight snowfall",
+	"wmo_73": "Moderate snowfall",
+	"wmo_75": "Heavy snowfall",
+	"wmo_77": "Snow grains",
+	"wmo_80": "Slight rain showers",
+	"wmo_81": "Moderate rain showers",
+	"wmo_82": "Violent rain showers",
+	"wmo_85": "Slight snow showers",
+	"wmo_86": "Heavy snow showers",
+	"wmo_95": "Thunderstorm",
+	"wmo_96": "Thunderstorm with slight hail",
+	"wmo_99": "Thunderstorm with heavy hail",
+	"summary_read_more": "Read more",
+	"summary_read_less": "Show less"
 }
diff --git a/messages/es.json b/messages/es.json
index 52c1847..1b383ee 100644
--- a/messages/es.json
+++ b/messages/es.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"$schema": "https://inlang.com/schema/inlang-message-format",
-	"nav_week": "Pronóstico de 7 días",
+	"nav_week": "Pronóstico semanal",
 	"nav_compare": "Comparación de modelos",
 	"nav_14day": "Pronóstico de 14 días",
 	"nav_seasonal": "Estacional",
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@
 	"day_today": "Hoy",
 	"day_tomorrow": "Mañana",
 	"day_yesterday": "Ayer",
-	"page_week_subtitle": "pronóstico de 7 días",
-	"page_compare_subtitle": "comparación de modelos",
-	"page_14day_subtitle": "pronóstico de conjunto a 14 días",
-	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "previsión estacional",
-	"page_historical_subtitle": "clima histórico",
+	"page_week_subtitle": "Pronóstico semanal",
+	"page_compare_subtitle": "Comparación de modelos",
+	"page_14day_subtitle": "Pronóstico de conjunto a 14 días",
+	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "Previsión estacional",
+	"page_historical_subtitle": "Clima histórico",
 	"hourly_heading": "por horas",
 	"hourly_variables": "Variables",
 	"meteograms_heading": "Meteogramas",
@@ -260,6 +260,8 @@
 	"table_interval_aria": "Intervalo horario",
 	"table_now": "Ahora",
 	"interval_toggle": "Alternar entre intervalos de 1 y 3 horas",
+	"page_loading": "Cargando…",
+	"page_loading_dismiss": "Descartar",
 	"charts_loading": "Cargando gráficos…",
 	"chart_download": "Descargar el meteograma como imagen PNG",
 	"chart_credit_viz": "visualización de",
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@
 	"legend_show": "Mostrar leyenda",
 	"meteograms_none_before": "No hay meteogramas configurados,",
 	"meteograms_none_action": "añade algunas variables",
-	"meteograms_none_historical": "No hay meteogramas configurados. Añade variables desde la página de 7 días.",
+	"meteograms_none_historical": "No hay meteogramas configurados. Añade variables desde la página del pronóstico semanal.",
 	"search_searching": "Buscando…",
 	"search_favorites": "Favoritos",
 	"search_recent": "Recientes",
@@ -280,6 +282,7 @@
 	"model_automatic_selection": "Selección automática",
 	"model_selector_aria": "Selección de {label}",
 	"compare_models_heading": "Modelos",
+	"compare_models_choose": "Elige los modelos a comparar",
 	"compare_variables_heading": "Variables meteorológicas horarias",
 	"compare_standard_preset": "Comparación estándar",
 	"compare_weather_conditions": "Condiciones y nubosidad",
@@ -385,5 +388,35 @@
 	"cadence_varies": "variable",
 	"model_group_automatic": "Automático",
 	"model_group_reanalysis": "Reanálisis del ECMWF",
-	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Reanálisis regional"
+	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Reanálisis regional",
+	"wmo_0": "Cielo despejado",
+	"wmo_1": "Mayormente despejado",
+	"wmo_2": "Parcialmente nublado",
+	"wmo_3": "Cubierto",
+	"wmo_45": "Niebla",
+	"wmo_48": "Niebla engelante",
+	"wmo_51": "Llovizna débil",
+	"wmo_53": "Llovizna moderada",
+	"wmo_55": "Llovizna intensa",
+	"wmo_56": "Llovizna engelante débil",
+	"wmo_57": "Llovizna engelante intensa",
+	"wmo_61": "Lluvia débil",
+	"wmo_63": "Lluvia moderada",
+	"wmo_65": "Lluvia intensa",
+	"wmo_66": "Lluvia engelante débil",
+	"wmo_67": "Lluvia engelante intensa",
+	"wmo_71": "Nevada débil",
+	"wmo_73": "Nevada moderada",
+	"wmo_75": "Nevada intensa",
+	"wmo_77": "Granos de nieve",
+	"wmo_80": "Chubascos débiles",
+	"wmo_81": "Chubascos moderados",
+	"wmo_82": "Chubascos violentos",
+	"wmo_85": "Chubascos de nieve débiles",
+	"wmo_86": "Chubascos de nieve intensos",
+	"wmo_95": "Tormenta",
+	"wmo_96": "Tormenta con granizo ligero",
+	"wmo_99": "Tormenta con granizo fuerte",
+	"summary_read_more": "Leer más",
+	"summary_read_less": "Mostrar menos"
 }
diff --git a/messages/fr.json b/messages/fr.json
index 2e04997..96bfd6d 100644
--- a/messages/fr.json
+++ b/messages/fr.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"$schema": "https://inlang.com/schema/inlang-message-format",
-	"nav_week": "Prévisions à 7 jours",
+	"nav_week": "Prévisions hebdomadaires",
 	"nav_compare": "Comparaison des modèles",
 	"nav_14day": "Prévisions à 14 jours",
 	"nav_seasonal": "Saisonnier",
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@
 	"day_today": "Aujourd'hui",
 	"day_tomorrow": "Demain",
 	"day_yesterday": "Hier",
-	"page_week_subtitle": "prévisions à 7 jours",
-	"page_compare_subtitle": "comparaison des modèles",
-	"page_14day_subtitle": "prévision d'ensemble à 14 jours",
-	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "tendances saisonnières",
-	"page_historical_subtitle": "météo historique",
+	"page_week_subtitle": "Prévisions hebdomadaires",
+	"page_compare_subtitle": "Comparaison des modèles",
+	"page_14day_subtitle": "Prévision d'ensemble à 14 jours",
+	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "Tendances saisonnières",
+	"page_historical_subtitle": "Météo historique",
 	"hourly_heading": "par heure",
 	"hourly_variables": "Variables",
 	"meteograms_heading": "Météogrammes",
@@ -260,6 +260,8 @@
 	"table_interval_aria": "Intervalle horaire",
 	"table_now": "Maintenant",
 	"interval_toggle": "Basculer entre les intervalles de 1 h et 3 h",
+	"page_loading": "Chargement…",
+	"page_loading_dismiss": "Fermer",
 	"charts_loading": "Chargement des graphiques…",
 	"chart_download": "Télécharger le météogramme en PNG",
 	"chart_credit_viz": "visualisation par",
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@
 	"legend_show": "Afficher la légende",
 	"meteograms_none_before": "Aucun météogramme configuré,",
 	"meteograms_none_action": "ajoutez des variables",
-	"meteograms_none_historical": "Aucun météogramme configuré. Ajoutez des variables depuis la page 7 jours.",
+	"meteograms_none_historical": "Aucun météogramme configuré. Ajoutez des variables depuis la page des prévisions hebdomadaires.",
 	"search_searching": "Recherche…",
 	"search_favorites": "Favoris",
 	"search_recent": "Récents",
@@ -280,6 +282,7 @@
 	"model_automatic_selection": "Sélection automatique",
 	"model_selector_aria": "Sélection : {label}",
 	"compare_models_heading": "Modèles",
+	"compare_models_choose": "Choisir les modèles à comparer",
 	"compare_variables_heading": "Variables météo horaires",
 	"compare_standard_preset": "Comparaison standard",
 	"compare_weather_conditions": "Conditions & couverture nuageuse",
@@ -385,5 +388,35 @@
 	"cadence_varies": "variable",
 	"model_group_automatic": "Automatique",
 	"model_group_reanalysis": "Réanalyse ECMWF",
-	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Réanalyse régionale"
+	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Réanalyse régionale",
+	"wmo_0": "Ciel dégagé",
+	"wmo_1": "Plutôt dégagé",
+	"wmo_2": "Partiellement nuageux",
+	"wmo_3": "Couvert",
+	"wmo_45": "Brouillard",
+	"wmo_48": "Brouillard givrant",
+	"wmo_51": "Bruine faible",
+	"wmo_53": "Bruine modérée",
+	"wmo_55": "Bruine dense",
+	"wmo_56": "Bruine verglaçante faible",
+	"wmo_57": "Bruine verglaçante dense",
+	"wmo_61": "Pluie faible",
+	"wmo_63": "Pluie modérée",
+	"wmo_65": "Pluie forte",
+	"wmo_66": "Pluie verglaçante faible",
+	"wmo_67": "Pluie verglaçante forte",
+	"wmo_71": "Neige faible",
+	"wmo_73": "Neige modérée",
+	"wmo_75": "Neige forte",
+	"wmo_77": "Grésil",
+	"wmo_80": "Averses faibles",
+	"wmo_81": "Averses modérées",
+	"wmo_82": "Averses violentes",
+	"wmo_85": "Averses de neige faibles",
+	"wmo_86": "Averses de neige fortes",
+	"wmo_95": "Orage",
+	"wmo_96": "Orage avec grêle légère",
+	"wmo_99": "Orage avec forte grêle",
+	"summary_read_more": "Lire la suite",
+	"summary_read_less": "Afficher moins"
 }
diff --git a/messages/it.json b/messages/it.json
index 3d16c06..b0d8e3d 100644
--- a/messages/it.json
+++ b/messages/it.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
 	"$schema": "https://inlang.com/schema/inlang-message-format",
-	"nav_week": "Previsioni a 7 giorni",
+	"nav_week": "Previsioni settimanali",
 	"nav_compare": "Confronto modelli",
 	"nav_14day": "Previsioni a 14 giorni",
 	"nav_seasonal": "Stagionale",
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@
 	"day_today": "Oggi",
 	"day_tomorrow": "Domani",
 	"day_yesterday": "Ieri",
-	"page_week_subtitle": "previsioni a 7 giorni",
-	"page_compare_subtitle": "confronto modelli",
-	"page_14day_subtitle": "previsione d'insieme a 14 giorni",
-	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "tendenze stagionali",
-	"page_historical_subtitle": "meteo storico",
+	"page_week_subtitle": "Previsioni settimanali",
+	"page_compare_subtitle": "Confronto modelli",
+	"page_14day_subtitle": "Previsione d'insieme a 14 giorni",
+	"page_seasonal_subtitle": "Tendenze stagionali",
+	"page_historical_subtitle": "Meteo storico",
 	"hourly_heading": "orario",
 	"hourly_variables": "Variabili",
 	"meteograms_heading": "Meteogrammi",
@@ -260,6 +260,8 @@
 	"table_interval_aria": "Intervallo orario",
 	"table_now": "Ora",
 	"interval_toggle": "Alterna tra intervalli di 1 e 3 ore",
+	"page_loading": "Caricamento…",
+	"page_loading_dismiss": "Chiudi",
 	"charts_loading": "Caricamento dei grafici…",
 	"chart_download": "Scarica il meteogramma come immagine PNG",
 	"chart_credit_viz": "visualizzazione di",
@@ -267,7 +269,7 @@
 	"legend_show": "Mostra legenda",
 	"meteograms_none_before": "Nessun meteogramma configurato,",
 	"meteograms_none_action": "aggiungi qualche variabile",
-	"meteograms_none_historical": "Nessun meteogramma configurato. Aggiungi variabili dalla pagina a 7 giorni.",
+	"meteograms_none_historical": "Nessun meteogramma configurato. Aggiungi variabili dalla pagina delle previsioni settimanali.",
 	"search_searching": "Ricerca in corso…",
 	"search_favorites": "Preferiti",
 	"search_recent": "Recenti",
@@ -280,6 +282,7 @@
 	"model_automatic_selection": "Selezione automatica",
 	"model_selector_aria": "Selezione di {label}",
 	"compare_models_heading": "Modelli",
+	"compare_models_choose": "Scegli i modelli da confrontare",
 	"compare_variables_heading": "Variabili meteo orarie",
 	"compare_standard_preset": "Confronto standard",
 	"compare_weather_conditions": "Condizioni e copertura nuvolosa",
@@ -385,5 +388,35 @@
 	"cadence_varies": "variabile",
 	"model_group_automatic": "Automatico",
 	"model_group_reanalysis": "Rianalisi ECMWF",
-	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Rianalisi regionale"
+	"model_group_regional_reanalysis": "Rianalisi regionale",
+	"wmo_0": "Cielo sereno",
+	"wmo_1": "Prevalentemente sereno",
+	"wmo_2": "Parzialmente nuvoloso",
+	"wmo_3": "Coperto",
+	"wmo_45": "Nebbia",
+	"wmo_48": "Nebbia gelata",
+	"wmo_51": "Pioviggine debole",
+	"wmo_53": "Pioviggine moderata",
+	"wmo_55": "Pioviggine intensa",
+	"wmo_56": "Pioviggine congelantesi debole",
+	"wmo_57": "Pioviggine congelantesi intensa",
+	"wmo_61": "Pioggia debole",
+	"wmo_63": "Pioggia moderata",
+	"wmo_65": "Pioggia forte",
+	"wmo_66": "Pioggia congelantesi debole",
+	"wmo_67": "Pioggia congelantesi forte",
+	"wmo_71": "Nevicata debole",
+	"wmo_73": "Nevicata moderata",
+	"wmo_75": "Nevicata forte",
+	"wmo_77": "Granuli di neve",
+	"wmo_80": "Rovesci deboli",
+	"wmo_81": "Rovesci moderati",
+	"wmo_82": "Rovesci violenti",
+	"wmo_85": "Rovesci di neve deboli",
+	"wmo_86": "Rovesci di neve forti",
+	"wmo_95": "Temporale",
+	"wmo_96": "Temporale con grandine leggera",
+	"wmo_99": "Temporale con grandine forte",
+	"summary_read_more": "Leggi tutto",
+	"summary_read_less": "Mostra meno"
 }
diff --git a/src/app.html b/src/app.html
index cb618ef..c833eb1 100644
--- a/src/app.html
+++ b/src/app.html
@@ -3,6 +3,11 @@
 	<head>
 		<meta charset="utf-8" />
 		<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
+		<!-- Declared in the shell, not in the layout head: the SPA fallback page
+		     (404.html) ships no rendered head, so without this the browser falls
+		     back to requesting /favicon.ico and takes a 404 on every load of an
+		     unprerendered URL. -->
+		<link rel="icon" href="/favicon.svg" type="image/svg+xml" />
 		<script>
 			// apply the persisted theme before first paint to avoid a flash
 			try {
diff --git a/src/lib/components/navigation/header.svelte b/src/lib/components/navigation/header.svelte
index 758d310..811629b 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/navigation/header.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/navigation/header.svelte
@@ -14,7 +14,8 @@
 
 	import { href, routePath } from '$lib/i18n';
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
-	import SupporterBadge from '$lib/paywall/SupporterBadge.svelte';
+	import SupporterBadge from '$lib/supporter/SupporterBadge.svelte';
+	import { SUPPORTER_ENABLED } from '$lib/supporter/config';
 
 	import SettingsMenu from './settings-menu.svelte';
 	import ThemeIcon from './theme-icon.svelte';
@@ -41,6 +42,21 @@
 		if (flagEl && !flagEl.src.endsWith(src)) flagEl.src = src;
 	});
 
+	// Built as a string rather than inline markup: the pieces are optional, and
+	// separators spelled out in the template lose their spacing to Svelte's
+	// whitespace trimming ("Canton of Schwyz,Switzerland").
+	let locationRegion = $derived([location?.admin1, location?.country].filter(Boolean).join(', '));
+	// elevation rides along in the pill's muted part ("· Canton of Schwyz,
+	// Switzerland · 465m"); a 0 m coastal town is a real reading, only a
+	// missing value is dropped
+	let locationDetail = $derived(
+		[locationRegion, location?.elevation != null ? `${Math.round(location.elevation)}m` : null]
+			.filter(Boolean)
+			.join(' · ')
+	);
+	// the pill ellipses, so the full name still has to be readable somewhere
+	let locationLine = $derived([location?.name, locationDetail].filter(Boolean).join(' · '));
+
 	const themeCycle: Theme[] = ['system', 'light', 'dark'];
 	const themeTitles: Record<Theme, () => string> = {
 		system: m.theme_follow_system,
@@ -99,8 +115,10 @@
 
 	<!-- Current location display -->
 	{#if location}
+		<!-- min-w-0 + a ceiling so a long "Sant Pere de Ribes, Catalonia, Spain"
+		     ellipses inside the pill instead of pushing the search box off centre -->
 		<div
-			class="hidden items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-border/70 bg-muted/40 py-1 ps-1 pe-3 lg:flex"
+			class="hidden min-w-0 max-w-70 items-center gap-2 rounded-full border border-border/70 bg-muted/40 py-1 ps-1 pe-3 lg:flex xl:max-w-96"
 		>
 			<img
 				bind:this={flagEl}
@@ -109,13 +127,10 @@
 				alt={location.country}
 			/>
 			<!-- full location (desktop); the page hero carries it on smaller screens -->
-			<span class="whitespace-nowrap text-sm font-semibold text-foreground">
+			<span class="min-w-0 truncate text-sm font-semibold text-foreground" title={locationLine}>
 				{location.name}
-				{#if location.admin1 || location.country}
-					<span class="font-normal text-muted-foreground">
-						· {#if location.admin1}{location.admin1},&nbsp;
-						{/if}{location.country ?? ''}
-					</span>
+				{#if locationDetail}
+					<span class="font-normal text-muted-foreground">· {locationDetail}</span>
 				{/if}
 			</span>
 		</div>
@@ -144,8 +159,10 @@
 	<!-- md+: the same settings as individual controls. Kept mounted (not `{#if}`)
 	     so SupporterBadge still verifies the key on every viewport. -->
 	<div class="hidden items-center gap-3 md:flex">
-		<!-- Supporter status / unlock -->
-		<SupporterBadge />
+		<!-- Supporter status / unlock (hidden while supporter features are parked) -->
+		{#if SUPPORTER_ENABLED}
+			<SupporterBadge />
+		{/if}
 
 		<!-- Language: the locale lives in the URL, so this is a set of links -->
 		<LanguageSelector />
diff --git a/src/lib/components/navigation/settings-menu.svelte b/src/lib/components/navigation/settings-menu.svelte
index 3eafad3..a3c24ca 100644
--- a/src/lib/components/navigation/settings-menu.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/components/navigation/settings-menu.svelte
@@ -6,9 +6,10 @@
 	import UnitOptions from '$lib/components/unit-options.svelte';
 
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
-	import SupporterIcon from '$lib/paywall/SupporterIcon.svelte';
-	import UnlockDialog from '$lib/paywall/UnlockDialog.svelte';
-	import { isSupporter } from '$lib/paywall/supporter';
+	import SupporterIcon from '$lib/supporter/SupporterIcon.svelte';
+	import UnlockDialog from '$lib/supporter/UnlockDialog.svelte';
+	import { SUPPORTER_ENABLED } from '$lib/supporter/config';
+	import { isSupporter } from '$lib/supporter/store';
 
 	import ThemeIcon from './theme-icon.svelte';
 
@@ -76,29 +77,34 @@
 
 			<LanguageOptions onSelect={() => (open = false)} />
 
-			<div class="border-t border-border/70 pt-3">
-				<button
-					type="button"
-					class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg px-2 py-2 text-left transition-colors hover:bg-muted"
-					onclick={() => {
-						open = false;
-						unlockOpen = true;
-					}}
-				>
-					<SupporterIcon
-						filled={$isSupporter}
-						class="h-4.5 w-4.5 shrink-0 {$isSupporter ? 'text-amber-500' : 'text-muted-foreground'}"
-					/>
-					<span class="min-w-0 flex-1">
-						<span class="block text-[13px] font-semibold">
-							{$isSupporter ? m.supporter_active() : m.supporter_support()}
+			<!-- Supporter status / unlock (hidden while supporter features are parked) -->
+			{#if SUPPORTER_ENABLED}
+				<div class="border-t border-border/70 pt-3">
+					<button
+						type="button"
+						class="flex w-full cursor-pointer items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg px-2 py-2 text-left transition-colors hover:bg-muted"
+						onclick={() => {
+							open = false;
+							unlockOpen = true;
+						}}
+					>
+						<SupporterIcon
+							filled={$isSupporter}
+							class="h-4.5 w-4.5 shrink-0 {$isSupporter
+								? 'text-amber-500'
+								: 'text-muted-foreground'}"
+						/>
+						<span class="min-w-0 flex-1">
+							<span class="block text-[13px] font-semibold">
+								{$isSupporter ? m.supporter_active() : m.supporter_support()}
+							</span>
+							<span class="block text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
+								{$isSupporter ? m.supporter_manage_key() : m.supporter_unlock()}
+							</span>
 						</span>
-						<span class="block text-[11px] text-muted-foreground">
-							{$isSupporter ? m.supporter_manage_key() : m.supporter_unlock()}
-						</span>
-					</span>
-				</button>
-			</div>
+					</button>
+				</div>
+			{/if}
 		</div>
 	</Popover.Content>
 </Popover.Root>
diff --git a/src/lib/stores/page-transition.svelte.ts b/src/lib/stores/page-transition.svelte.ts
index b2f89ae..3a2a558 100644
--- a/src/lib/stores/page-transition.svelte.ts
+++ b/src/lib/stores/page-transition.svelte.ts
@@ -10,6 +10,18 @@ import { writable } from 'svelte/store';
  */
 export const pageContentReady = writable(true);
 
+/**
+ * Raised by the layout just before it captures a navigation away from the maps
+ * page. The map is a cross-origin iframe, which browsers do not paint into a
+ * view transition snapshot - captured bare, the outgoing page would carry a
+ * hole where the map was. The maps page answers by laying an opaque
+ * same-origin cover over the iframe (the same one that hides the map while it
+ * boots), so the snapshot shows a clean panel and the cross-fade has something
+ * real to fade from. The layout lowers it again once the navigation is
+ * through.
+ */
+export const mapTransitionCover = writable(false);
+
 /**
  * Called by the layout before it swaps to a route that fetches its own data.
  *
@@ -22,6 +34,16 @@ export function markPageLoading(): void {
 	pageContentReady.set(false);
 }
 
+/**
+ * The counterpart, for a route that has nothing to wait for (the maps page, the
+ * legal pages). Without it a navigation away from a page that never resolved
+ * would leave the flag stuck on "loading", and the layout's overlay would sit on
+ * top of a page that is perfectly finished.
+ */
+export function markPageReady(): void {
+	pageContentReady.set(true);
+}
+
 /**
  * Declare a page's readiness. Pass a getter for "my data has arrived". Only
  * ever sets the flag - clearing it is the layout's job (see above).
diff --git a/src/lib/paywall/SupporterBadge.svelte b/src/lib/supporter/SupporterBadge.svelte
similarity index 94%
rename from src/lib/paywall/SupporterBadge.svelte
rename to src/lib/supporter/SupporterBadge.svelte
index 8275329..1110bca 100644
--- a/src/lib/paywall/SupporterBadge.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/supporter/SupporterBadge.svelte
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 
 	import SupporterIcon from './SupporterIcon.svelte';
 	import UnlockDialog from './UnlockDialog.svelte';
-	import { isSupporter, refreshSupporter } from './supporter';
+	import { isSupporter, refreshSupporter } from './store';
 
 	let open = $state(false);
 
diff --git a/src/lib/paywall/PaywallGate.svelte b/src/lib/supporter/SupporterGate.svelte
similarity index 99%
rename from src/lib/paywall/PaywallGate.svelte
rename to src/lib/supporter/SupporterGate.svelte
index 190cdb6..0d9701c 100644
--- a/src/lib/paywall/PaywallGate.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/supporter/SupporterGate.svelte
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 	import SupporterIcon from './SupporterIcon.svelte';
 	import UnlockDialog from './UnlockDialog.svelte';
 	import { SIGNUP_URL, SUPPORTER_PERKS, getSupporterPrice } from './config';
-	import { isSupporter, refreshSupporter, supporterState } from './supporter';
+	import { isSupporter, refreshSupporter, supporterState } from './store';
 
 	interface Props {
 		/** Short feature name shown in the locked panel headline. */
diff --git a/src/lib/paywall/SupporterIcon.svelte b/src/lib/supporter/SupporterIcon.svelte
similarity index 93%
rename from src/lib/paywall/SupporterIcon.svelte
rename to src/lib/supporter/SupporterIcon.svelte
index 9d14f1c..3a9f4ba 100644
--- a/src/lib/paywall/SupporterIcon.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/supporter/SupporterIcon.svelte
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 	/**
 	 * The supporter mark. A heart rather than a padlock: nothing here is locked
 	 * away as a punishment - the extras are a thank-you for chipping in, and a
-	 * padlock framed it as a paywall. Filled once someone is supporting,
+	 * padlock framed it as a hard wall. Filled once someone is supporting,
 	 * outlined as an invitation before that.
 	 */
 	interface Props {
diff --git a/src/lib/paywall/UnlockDialog.svelte b/src/lib/supporter/UnlockDialog.svelte
similarity index 97%
rename from src/lib/paywall/UnlockDialog.svelte
rename to src/lib/supporter/UnlockDialog.svelte
index e3a2a75..600803f 100644
--- a/src/lib/paywall/UnlockDialog.svelte
+++ b/src/lib/supporter/UnlockDialog.svelte
@@ -9,13 +9,7 @@
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
 	import { SIGNUP_URL, getSupporterPrice } from './config';
-	import {
-		clearLicense,
-		isSupporter,
-		storedLicenseKey,
-		supporterState,
-		verifyKey
-	} from './supporter';
+	import { clearLicense, isSupporter, storedLicenseKey, supporterState, verifyKey } from './store';
 
 	interface Props {
 		open?: boolean;
diff --git a/src/lib/paywall/config.ts b/src/lib/supporter/config.ts
similarity index 69%
rename from src/lib/paywall/config.ts
rename to src/lib/supporter/config.ts
index 7f2e398..dfd640e 100644
--- a/src/lib/paywall/config.ts
+++ b/src/lib/supporter/config.ts
@@ -1,29 +1,40 @@
 import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
 /**
- * Paywall configuration.
+ * Supporter configuration.
  *
  * The frontend stays fully static and open source; the only server piece is the
  * tiny `drizzli-paywall` verify API (a separate, self-hosted repo). Point the
- * build at your deployment with the `VITE_PAYWALL_*` env vars (e.g. in a
- * `.env` file), otherwise the sensible drizz.li defaults are used.
+ * build at your deployment with the `VITE_SUPPORTER_*` env vars (e.g. in a
+ * `.env` file), otherwise the sensible drizz.li defaults are used. The
+ * pre-rename `VITE_PAYWALL_*` names still work.
  */
 
 const env = import.meta.env as Record<string, string | undefined>;
 
 const stripTrailingSlash = (url: string): string => url.replace(/\/+$/, '');
 
+/**
+ * Master switch for the supporter features. While this is `false` everything
+ * supporter-related is parked: the nav entry points are hidden, no key is
+ * verified, and every gated page renders as if the visitor were a supporter.
+ * The logic stays in place — set `VITE_SUPPORTER_ENABLED=true` (or default this
+ * to `true`) to bring it back.
+ */
+export const SUPPORTER_ENABLED = env.VITE_SUPPORTER_ENABLED === 'true';
+
 /** Base URL of the self-hosted verify API (drizzli-paywall). */
-export const PAYWALL_API_BASE = stripTrailingSlash(
-	env.VITE_PAYWALL_API_BASE ?? 'https://support.drizz.li'
+export const SUPPORTER_API_BASE = stripTrailingSlash(
+	env.VITE_SUPPORTER_API_BASE ?? env.VITE_PAYWALL_API_BASE ?? 'https://support.drizz.li'
 );
 
-/** Where prospective subscribers go to sign up (the paywall repo's signup form). */
-export const SIGNUP_URL = env.VITE_PAYWALL_SIGNUP_URL ?? `${PAYWALL_API_BASE}/`;
+/** Where prospective supporters go to sign up (the verify API's signup form). */
+export const SIGNUP_URL =
+	env.VITE_SUPPORTER_SIGNUP_URL ?? env.VITE_PAYWALL_SIGNUP_URL ?? `${SUPPORTER_API_BASE}/`;
 
 // ─── Location-based pricing ──────────────────────────────────────────────────
 // The signup form charges 3 in the visitor's currency (EUR / USD / CHF), picked
-// from their location. Mirror that here so the paywall copy matches. Detection
+// from their location. Mirror that here so the supporter copy matches. Detection
 // is timezone/locale based (no network geo lookup) and guarded for SSR.
 
 const CURRENCY_SYMBOL: Record<string, string> = { EUR: '€', USD: '$', CHF: 'CHF' };
@@ -54,7 +65,7 @@ export function detectCurrency(): SupporterCurrency {
 	return 'EUR';
 }
 
-/** Display price for the paywall panel, e.g. "€3 / month" or "CHF 3 / Monat". */
+/** Display price for the locked panel, e.g. "€3 / month" or "CHF 3 / Monat". */
 export function getSupporterPrice(): string {
 	// VITE_PREMIUM_PRICE is the pre-rename name, still honoured so an existing
 	// deployment's .env keeps working.
diff --git a/src/lib/paywall/supporter.ts b/src/lib/supporter/store.ts
similarity index 88%
rename from src/lib/paywall/supporter.ts
rename to src/lib/supporter/store.ts
index 416d9ba..3939349 100644
--- a/src/lib/paywall/supporter.ts
+++ b/src/lib/supporter/store.ts
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@
  *
  * This gate is a convenience/honor-system gate: the frontend is open source and
  * static, so it can be bypassed. Keeping the subscriber list server-side (in the
- * paywall repo) is what makes it meaningful in practice.
+ * verify API's repo) is what makes it meaningful in practice.
  */
 import { derived, get, writable } from 'svelte/store';
 
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import { persisted } from 'svelte-persisted-store';
 
 import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
-import { PAYWALL_API_BASE } from './config';
+import { SUPPORTER_API_BASE, SUPPORTER_ENABLED } from './config';
 
 /** The supporter's access key, e.g. "DRZ-7Q2K-9F4M-XW3P". Empty when signed out. */
 export const storedLicenseKey = persisted<string>('license_key', '');
@@ -75,10 +75,14 @@ function notExpired(expires: string | null | undefined): boolean {
  * Whether supporter content should be shown. A live "valid"/"invalid" result
  * wins; otherwise we fall back to the cached result (so a reload or a brief
  * network blip doesn't lock a paying user out).
+ *
+ * While supporter features are parked (`SUPPORTER_ENABLED === false`) this is always
+ * true, so every gated page renders unlocked for everyone.
  */
 export const isSupporter = derived(
 	[supporterState, storedSupporterCache],
 	([$state, $cache]): boolean => {
+		if (!SUPPORTER_ENABLED) return true;
 		if ($state.status === 'valid') return true;
 		if ($state.status === 'invalid') return false;
 		return !!($cache && $cache.valid && notExpired($cache.expires));
@@ -98,6 +102,10 @@ export interface VerifyResult {
  * subscription can still show a "renew" state) but the cache is marked invalid.
  */
 export async function verifyKey(key: string): Promise<VerifyResult> {
+	// Parked: never touch the verify API (and report success, since everything
+	// is unlocked anyway).
+	if (!SUPPORTER_ENABLED) return { valid: true, expires: null };
+
 	const trimmed = key.trim();
 	if (!trimmed) {
 		supporterState.set({ status: 'invalid' });
@@ -106,7 +114,7 @@ export async function verifyKey(key: string): Promise<VerifyResult> {
 
 	supporterState.set({ status: 'checking' });
 	try {
-		const res = await fetch(`${PAYWALL_API_BASE}/verify?key=${encodeURIComponent(trimmed)}`, {
+		const res = await fetch(`${SUPPORTER_API_BASE}/verify?key=${encodeURIComponent(trimmed)}`, {
 			headers: { accept: 'application/json' }
 		});
 		const data = (await res.json()) as VerifyResult;
@@ -135,6 +143,8 @@ export async function verifyKey(key: string): Promise<VerifyResult> {
 
 /** Re-verify the stored key (call on app / gated-page load). No-op if signed out. */
 export async function refreshSupporter(): Promise<void> {
+	if (!SUPPORTER_ENABLED) return;
+
 	const key = get(storedLicenseKey);
 	if (!key) {
 		supporterState.set({ status: 'idle' });
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/date.ts b/src/lib/utils/date.ts
index ceb437e..4856129 100644
--- a/src/lib/utils/date.ts
+++ b/src/lib/utils/date.ts
@@ -11,12 +11,40 @@ import type { Locale as DateFnsLocale } from 'date-fns';
 // locale the messages do.
 const DATE_LOCALES: Record<string, DateFnsLocale> = { en: enGB, de, es, fr, it };
 
+/**
+ * Normalises anything date-shaped into a plain `Date`, or null when it does not
+ * describe a real instant.
+ *
+ * Two reasons every helper below starts here:
+ *
+ * 1. date-fns copies its input with `new date.constructor(value)`. Hand it the
+ *    reactive `SvelteDate` the pages use for the selected day and it builds
+ *    *another* SvelteDate, then reads the copy's fields back through memoised
+ *    signals - a signal graph per formatted timestamp, in a path that runs
+ *    hundreds of times per render.
+ * 2. date-fns throws `RangeError: Invalid time value` on an invalid date. Thrown
+ *    from inside a render (or inside a view-transition callback, where it
+ *    surfaces as an unhandled rejection) that takes the whole page down for what
+ *    is really one unformattable cell.
+ */
+function plainDate(date: Date | null | undefined): Date | null {
+	const time = date?.getTime?.();
+	if (time == null || !Number.isFinite(time)) return null;
+	// already a plain Date: no copy needed
+	return date!.constructor === Date ? (date as Date) : new Date(time);
+}
+
 /**
  * Formats a UTC Date into a string for a specific timezone using date-fns patterns.
  * Patterns: 'HH:mm' for 24h time, 'EEE' for short weekday, etc.
+ *
+ * Returns '' for a date or zone it cannot format - callers compare these strings
+ * or print them, and both degrade gracefully on an empty one.
  */
 export function formatZoned(date: Date, timeZone: string, pattern: string): string {
-	return formatInTimeZone(date, timeZone, pattern, {
+	const d = plainDate(date);
+	if (!d || !timeZone) return '';
+	return formatInTimeZone(d, timeZone, pattern, {
 		locale: DATE_LOCALES[getLocale()] ?? enGB
 	});
 }
@@ -26,16 +54,20 @@ export function formatZoned(date: Date, timeZone: string, pattern: string): stri
  * Important for comparing weather forecast days against a selected date.
  */
 export function isSameDayInZone(date1: Date, date2: Date, timeZone: string): boolean {
-	const z1 = toZonedTime(date1, timeZone);
-	const z2 = toZonedTime(date2, timeZone);
-	return isSameDayDateFns(z1, z2);
+	const d1 = plainDate(date1);
+	const d2 = plainDate(date2);
+	if (!d1 || !d2 || !timeZone) return false;
+	return isSameDayDateFns(toZonedTime(d1, timeZone), toZonedTime(d2, timeZone));
 }
 
 /**
- * Gets the numeric hour (0-23) for a date in a specific timezone.
+ * Gets the numeric hour (0-23) for a date in a specific timezone, or NaN when
+ * the date cannot be read.
  */
 export function getZonedHour(date: Date, timeZone: string): number {
-	return parseInt(formatInTimeZone(date, timeZone, 'H'), 10);
+	const d = plainDate(date);
+	if (!d || !timeZone) return NaN;
+	return parseInt(formatInTimeZone(d, timeZone, 'H'), 10);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -43,9 +75,11 @@ export function getZonedHour(date: Date, timeZone: string): number {
  * or a formatted date string, all relative to the target timezone.
  */
 export function getRelativeDayLabel(date: Date, timeZone: string): string {
-	const now = new Date();
-	const zonedDate = toZonedTime(date, timeZone);
-	const zonedNow = toZonedTime(now, timeZone);
+	const d = plainDate(date);
+	if (!d || !timeZone) return '';
+
+	const zonedDate = toZonedTime(d, timeZone);
+	const zonedNow = toZonedTime(new Date(), timeZone);
 
 	if (isSameDayDateFns(zonedDate, zonedNow)) return m.day_today();
 
@@ -57,7 +91,7 @@ export function getRelativeDayLabel(date: Date, timeZone: string): string {
 	yesterday.setDate(yesterday.getDate() - 1);
 	if (isSameDayDateFns(zonedDate, yesterday)) return m.day_yesterday();
 
-	return formatZoned(date, timeZone, 'EEE d MMM');
+	return formatZoned(d, timeZone, 'EEE d MMM');
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/day-swap.ts b/src/lib/utils/day-swap.ts
index 846f8cf..7290fcd 100644
--- a/src/lib/utils/day-swap.ts
+++ b/src/lib/utils/day-swap.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 import { tick } from 'svelte';
 
-const prefersReducedMotion = () =>
-	typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
+import {
+	canStartViewTransition,
+	prefersReducedMotion,
+	skipActiveViewTransition,
+	startViewTransition,
+	supportsViewTransitions
+} from './view-transition';
 
 /**
  * Runs a day change inside a view transition, so the outgoing day is still on
@@ -12,26 +17,57 @@ const prefersReducedMotion = () =>
  * `.day-region-*` in routes/layout.css); everything else - the strip, the
  * header, the page chrome - is pinned by the `day-switch` class so it stays
  * completely still.
+ *
+ * A day switch that lands while a navigation transition is still on screen just
+ * applies: starting a rival transition would skip the running one and flash the
+ * page (see view-transition.ts).
  */
+/** Guards the shared cleanup below against a switch superseding a switch. */
+let dayTransitionToken = 0;
+
 export async function runDayTransition(update: () => void): Promise<void> {
-	if (prefersReducedMotion() || !document.startViewTransition) {
+	if (!canStartViewTransition()) {
 		update();
 		return;
 	}
 
+	const token = ++dayTransitionToken;
 	const root = document.documentElement;
-	root.classList.add('day-switch');
+
+	// The region snapshots include the part of the table normally scrolled up
+	// behind the sticky strip; the transition overlay is clipped at the bar's
+	// bottom edge so they cannot paint over the (live, clickable) strip.
+	// Measured per switch because the bar's height follows the scroll collapse.
+	const bar = document.querySelector('.daystrip .strip-row');
+	if (bar) {
+		const clip = Math.max(0, bar.getBoundingClientRect().bottom);
+		root.style.setProperty('--day-switch-clip', `${clip}px`);
+	}
+
+	// The page stays scrollable during the fade, but the snapshots and the clip
+	// line above are anchored to where things were at capture - so the first
+	// sign of scrolling finishes the fade on the spot instead of animating
+	// against a moving page.
+	const skip = () => skipActiveViewTransition();
+	window.addEventListener('wheel', skip, { passive: true });
+	window.addEventListener('touchmove', skip, { passive: true });
+
 	try {
 		// Svelte applies the change on the next tick; the transition has to wait
-		// for that before it snapshots the new state.
-		await document.startViewTransition(async () => {
-			update();
-			await tick();
-		}).finished;
-	} catch {
-		/* a superseded transition is fine - the DOM is already up to date */
+		// for that before it snapshots the new state. `day-switch` scopes which
+		// regions take part (see routes/layout.css) and is cleared when it ends.
+		await startViewTransition(
+			async () => {
+				update();
+				await tick();
+			},
+			{ rootClass: 'day-switch' }
+		);
 	} finally {
-		root.classList.remove('day-switch');
+		window.removeEventListener('wheel', skip);
+		window.removeEventListener('touchmove', skip);
+		// a newer switch owns the clip var now; only the last one may clear it
+		if (token === dayTransitionToken) root.style.removeProperty('--day-switch-clip');
 	}
 }
 
@@ -45,7 +81,7 @@ export function daySwap(node: HTMLElement, key: unknown) {
 
 	const play = () => {
 		// view transitions handle it properly where they exist
-		if (typeof document.startViewTransition === 'function' || prefersReducedMotion()) return;
+		if (supportsViewTransitions() || prefersReducedMotion()) return;
 		node.animate([{ opacity: 0.1 }, { opacity: 1 }], {
 			duration: 460,
 			easing: 'cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.61, 0.36, 1)'
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/location.ts b/src/lib/utils/location.ts
index 824cf4f..fae053c 100644
--- a/src/lib/utils/location.ts
+++ b/src/lib/utils/location.ts
@@ -76,6 +76,16 @@ interface ResolveLocationOptions {
 	};
 }
 
+/**
+ * Geocoding results for a route segment, kept for the life of the process.
+ *
+ * A city's coordinates do not change, and the same segment is resolved over and
+ * over: once per per-location route during the prerender (five builds of the
+ * same lookup for every city), and again on every client-side hop from a city's
+ * week page to its comparison or archive.
+ */
+const resolvedLocations = new Map<string, GeoLocation>();
+
 export async function resolveLocationFromRoute({
 	urlLocation,
 	routePrefix,
@@ -86,6 +96,11 @@ export async function resolveLocationFromRoute({
 		return coordinateLocation(parseFloat(coordMatch[1]), parseFloat(coordMatch[2]));
 	}
 
+	// The canonical-path check below still has to run per call (the same city is
+	// reached under different route prefixes), so only the lookup is cached.
+	const cached = resolvedLocations.get(urlLocation);
+	if (cached) return finishResolve(cached, routePrefix, event);
+
 	let urlLocationName: string;
 	let urlLocationId: string | undefined;
 
@@ -124,6 +139,15 @@ export async function resolveLocationFromRoute({
 		location = candidate;
 	}
 
+	resolvedLocations.set(urlLocation, location);
+	return finishResolve(location, routePrefix, event);
+}
+
+function finishResolve(
+	location: GeoLocation,
+	routePrefix: string,
+	event: ResolveLocationOptions['event']
+): GeoLocation {
 	// trailingSlash is 'always' (see routes/+layout.ts), so the router serves
 	// every path with a trailing slash. Match that here or the equality check
 	// never holds and the redirect loops forever. The comparison also has to
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/skeleton-fade.ts b/src/lib/utils/skeleton-fade.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..851aede
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/utils/skeleton-fade.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import type { TransitionConfig } from 'svelte/transition';
+
+const prefersReducedMotion = () =>
+	typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
+
+/**
+ * Fades a loading placeholder out *over* the content that replaces it.
+ *
+ * A plain `out:fade` is not usable on a skeleton: Svelte keeps the node in the
+ * layout for the length of the transition, so the real content stacks below the
+ * placeholder and the whole page jumps up the moment the placeholder finally
+ * unmounts. That is why these placeholders only ever faded in - the swap was
+ * abrupt, but at least nothing moved.
+ *
+ * This pins the placeholder to the box it already occupies and takes it out of
+ * flow for the fade instead. The content settles into its final position
+ * immediately and the skeleton dissolves on top of it.
+ *
+ * Requirements at the call site: the placeholder's parent must be positioned
+ * (`class="relative"`) and must be the same element that renders the real
+ * content, or the overlay lands somewhere else on the page.
+ */
+export function skeletonOut(node: HTMLElement, { duration = 260 } = {}): TransitionConfig {
+	if (prefersReducedMotion()) return { duration: 0 };
+
+	// measured while the node is still in flow, which is when Svelte builds the
+	// transition - the values below are what freeze it in place
+	const { offsetTop, offsetLeft, offsetWidth, offsetHeight } = node;
+
+	return {
+		duration,
+		css: (t) => `
+			opacity: ${t};
+			position: absolute;
+			top: ${offsetTop}px;
+			left: ${offsetLeft}px;
+			width: ${offsetWidth}px;
+			height: ${offsetHeight}px;
+			margin: 0;
+			pointer-events: none;
+			z-index: 5;
+		`
+	};
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/url-state.ts b/src/lib/utils/url-state.ts
index 52397be..f09f19d 100644
--- a/src/lib/utils/url-state.ts
+++ b/src/lib/utils/url-state.ts
@@ -7,22 +7,31 @@
  * history entry or re-runs a load - the back button still means "the page
  * before", not "the previous day I clicked".
  *
- * Callers must pass the URL *untracked* (`get(page).url`, not `$page.url`).
- * Reading it reactively inside the same effect that writes it creates a loop:
- * replaceState publishes a new URL, the effect re-runs, writes again - which
- * Svelte eventually kills with `effect_update_depth_exceeded`, hanging the page.
+ * The base is `location`, deliberately not `page.url`. Shallow routing does not
+ * republish the URL: `replaceState` writes the history entry (and files the
+ * *previous* `page.url` in it, so a popstate can restore it) but leaves
+ * `page.url` on the last navigated URL. Diffing against that stale value is
+ * wrong in exactly one direction - clearing a parameter. Opening a day writes
+ * `?day=`, `page.url` still has none, so asking to remove it produces a URL
+ * identical to the stale one, the write is skipped as a no-op, and the
+ * parameter stays in the address bar for good.
+ *
+ * Reading `location` rather than a passed-in URL also removes the old trap that
+ * callers had to pass it untracked: an effect that both read `$page.url` and
+ * wrote to it looped until `effect_update_depth_exceeded` hung the page.
  */
 import { browser } from '$app/environment';
 import { replaceState } from '$app/navigation';
 
-export function syncSearchParams(url: URL, updates: Record<string, string | null>): void {
+export function syncSearchParams(updates: Record<string, string | null>): void {
 	if (!browser) return;
-	const next = new URL(url);
+	const current = new URL(window.location.href);
+	const next = new URL(current);
 	for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(updates)) {
 		if (value == null || value === '') next.searchParams.delete(key);
 		else next.searchParams.set(key, value);
 	}
-	if (next.href === url.href) return;
+	if (next.href === current.href) return;
 	try {
 		replaceState(next, {});
 	} catch {
@@ -39,6 +48,30 @@ export function syncSearchParams(url: URL, updates: Record<string, string | null
 	}
 }
 
+/**
+ * The value to mirror, or null when it is the view's default. Defaults belong
+ * in the code, not the query string: a shared link should carry only what the
+ * visitor actually changed, and going back to the default has to clear the
+ * parameter again rather than pin the default in place.
+ */
+export function unlessDefault(value: string | null | undefined, fallback: string): string | null {
+	return value && value !== fallback ? value : null;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Same, for the comma-separated list parameters. Order counts - the models are
+ * plotted, coloured and legended in the order they are listed, so a reordered
+ * line-up is a different view even when it holds the same entries.
+ */
+export function listUnlessDefault(
+	values: string[] | null | undefined,
+	fallback: string[]
+): string | null {
+	if (!values?.length) return null;
+	const joined = values.join(',');
+	return joined === fallback.join(',') ? null : joined;
+}
+
 /** Reads a comma-separated list, dropping empties. */
 export function readList(url: URL, key: string): string[] | null {
 	const raw = url.searchParams.get(key);
diff --git a/src/lib/utils/view-transition.ts b/src/lib/utils/view-transition.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..45f3f3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/utils/view-transition.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,142 @@
+/**
+ * Central entry point for every view transition in the app.
+ *
+ * Two things it exists to get right.
+ *
+ * **One transition at a time, but only where it matters.** Starting a
+ * transition while another is running makes the browser skip the first, and
+ * what that looks like depends entirely on which phase the first is in:
+ *
+ *   - *capturing* - its update callback has not resolved yet, so the screen is
+ *     frozen on the outgoing snapshot. Skipping drops that snapshot on the spot
+ *     and pops the half-updated live DOM into view: the whole-screen flash.
+ *     This phase is common here, because navigation deliberately holds the
+ *     callback open while the new page fetches, and `/` plus every bare
+ *     `/weather/<view>/` page is a redirect stub that navigates again from
+ *     `onMount` - one click, two or three navigations.
+ *   - *animating* - the DOM is already in its final state and the pseudo
+ *     elements are playing out. Skipping just finishes them early, landing on
+ *     exactly the state they were heading for.
+ *
+ * So a new transition rides along inside the running one only while it is
+ * capturing; once it is animating, superseding it is the better answer (waiting
+ * would strand the new update under a stale snapshot until the animation ends).
+ *
+ * **A scoping class.** `rootClass` is set on `<html>` for the life of the
+ * transition, so the stylesheet can tell a page swap from a day switch and pin
+ * the parts that are identical on both sides (see routes/layout.css).
+ */
+type UpdateCallback = () => void | Promise<void>;
+
+interface Options {
+	/** Class set on `<html>` while the transition runs, for scoping CSS. */
+	rootClass?: string;
+	/**
+	 * Set false to run the update without a transition. For content the browser
+	 * does not paint into a snapshot - a cross-origin iframe - where animating
+	 * means animating a hole rather than a cross-fade.
+	 */
+	enabled?: boolean;
+}
+
+/** Set while a transition holds the screen frozen on the outgoing snapshot. */
+let capturing: Promise<void> | null = null;
+
+/**
+ * How many running transitions hold each scoping class. A superseded
+ * transition's cleanup fires while its successor is mid-capture (skipping
+ * rejects `finished` on a microtask, which runs before the next render);
+ * without the count it would strip the class out from under the successor,
+ * and a day switch captured without `day-switch` falls back to the full-page
+ * fade it exists to prevent.
+ */
+const rootClassHolds = new Map<string, number>();
+
+/** The most recently started transition, while it is capturing or animating. */
+let active: ViewTransition | null = null;
+
+/**
+ * Finishes the running transition's animation on the spot (the DOM is already
+ * in its final state, so this is always safe). Used to hand the screen back
+ * the moment the user starts scrolling under a day switch, rather than
+ * animating against a moving target.
+ */
+export function skipActiveViewTransition(): void {
+	active?.skipTransition();
+}
+
+export const supportsViewTransitions = (): boolean =>
+	typeof document !== 'undefined' && typeof document.startViewTransition === 'function';
+
+export const prefersReducedMotion = (): boolean =>
+	typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
+
+/**
+ * True while a transition is frozen on its outgoing snapshot - the phase in
+ * which starting a rival transition would flash the page.
+ */
+export const isViewTransitionCapturing = (): boolean => capturing !== null;
+
+/** Whether `startViewTransition` would actually open one right now. */
+export const canStartViewTransition = (): boolean =>
+	supportsViewTransitions() && !prefersReducedMotion() && !isViewTransitionCapturing();
+
+/**
+ * Runs `update` inside a view transition, or straight away when one cannot (or
+ * must not) be started. Resolves once the transition has finished animating -
+ * or as soon as the update is done, when it ran on its own.
+ */
+export function startViewTransition(update: UpdateCallback, options: Options = {}): Promise<void> {
+	const { rootClass, enabled = true } = options;
+
+	if (!enabled || !canStartViewTransition()) {
+		return Promise.resolve(update()).then(
+			() => {},
+			(error: unknown) => {
+				console.error('view transition update failed', error);
+			}
+		);
+	}
+
+	const root = document.documentElement;
+	if (rootClass) {
+		rootClassHolds.set(rootClass, (rootClassHolds.get(rootClass) ?? 0) + 1);
+		root.classList.add(rootClass);
+	}
+
+	const transition = document.startViewTransition(update);
+	active = transition;
+
+	// A throw inside the callback rejects `updateCallbackDone` as well as
+	// `finished`. Nothing awaits the former, and an unhandled rejection there is
+	// what turns one bad render into an "Uncaught" error on the page.
+	const captured = transition.updateCallbackDone.then(
+		() => {},
+		(error: unknown) => {
+			console.error('view transition update failed', error);
+		}
+	);
+	capturing = captured;
+	void captured.then(() => {
+		if (capturing === captured) capturing = null;
+	});
+
+	// A superseded transition rejects `finished`; the DOM is already up to date,
+	// so that is not an error worth surfacing.
+	return transition.finished
+		.then(
+			() => {},
+			() => {}
+		)
+		.finally(() => {
+			if (active === transition) active = null;
+			if (!rootClass) return;
+			const holds = (rootClassHolds.get(rootClass) ?? 1) - 1;
+			if (holds > 0) {
+				rootClassHolds.set(rootClass, holds);
+			} else {
+				rootClassHolds.delete(rootClass);
+				root.classList.remove(rootClass);
+			}
+		});
+}
diff --git a/src/routes/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/+layout.svelte
index fa57097..73c90a8 100644
--- a/src/routes/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/+layout.svelte
@@ -6,16 +6,26 @@
 	import { afterNavigate, onNavigate } from '$app/navigation';
 	import { page } from '$app/stores';
 
-	import { markPageLoading, pageContentReady } from '$lib/stores/page-transition.svelte';
+	import {
+		mapTransitionCover,
+		markPageLoading,
+		markPageReady,
+		pageContentReady
+	} from '$lib/stores/page-transition.svelte';
 	import { storedTheme } from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
+	import {
+		canStartViewTransition,
+		startViewTransition,
+		supportsViewTransitions
+	} from '$lib/utils/view-transition';
+
 	import Footer from '$lib/components/navigation/footer.svelte';
 	import Header from '$lib/components/navigation/header.svelte';
 	import WeatherNav from '$lib/components/navigation/weather-nav.svelte';
 
-	import favicon from '$lib/assets/favicon.svg';
-
 	import { routePath } from '$lib/i18n';
+	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
 	import './layout.css';
 
@@ -31,7 +41,9 @@
 		const apply = () => {
 			const root = document.documentElement;
 			const dark = theme === 'dark' || (theme === 'system' && mq.matches);
-			const paint = () => root.classList.toggle('dark', dark);
+			const paint = () => {
+				root.classList.toggle('dark', dark);
+			};
 
 			// The very first application is just painting the stored theme - only
 			// an actual switch afterwards is worth cross-fading.
@@ -42,9 +54,17 @@
 				return;
 			}
 
-			if (document.startViewTransition) {
+			if (canStartViewTransition() && !onMapsPage()) {
 				// one cross-fade of the whole document; component transitions untouched
-				document.startViewTransition(paint);
+				void startViewTransition(paint);
+				return;
+			}
+
+			// A navigation transition already owns the screen: repaint under it
+			// rather than skipping it (which would flash), and fall back to the
+			// colour transition below when the browser has none at all.
+			if (supportsViewTransitions()) {
+				paint();
 				return;
 			}
 
@@ -63,25 +83,91 @@
 	// ── Page cross-fade ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	// A real cross-fade needs the outgoing page still on screen while the
 	// incoming one appears - so the view transition is opened at navigation and
-	// deliberately held open until the new page reports that its data has landed.
-	// The browser keeps showing the old snapshot for that whole time (rather than
-	// flashing a skeleton), then fades it into the finished page.
+	// held open for a short grace period, waiting for the new page to report that
+	// its data has landed. A cached or fast response lands inside that window and
+	// the old page fades straight into the finished one, no skeleton in between.
 	//
-	// The wait is capped: past the ceiling we cross-fade into whatever is on
-	// screen instead of freezing the UI on a slow network.
-	const READY_CEILING_MS = 2200;
-	const FADE_OUT_MS = 170;
+	// Past the grace period the wait gives up and the loading overlay takes over:
+	// holding the old page frozen any longer looks like a dead click, and the
+	// overlay is the honest answer - something is happening, it just isn't here
+	// yet. Note the order: the overlay has to be in the DOM *before* the
+	// transition captures the incoming state, because a running view transition
+	// freezes the page and nothing painted after that point can appear.
+	//
+	// There is deliberately no fade for browsers without view transitions. The
+	// old fallback dimmed the outgoing page to nothing and brought the new one
+	// back up, which on a single layer is a flash of the bare background rather
+	// than a cross-fade. Swapping outright and letting the overlay carry the
+	// "loading" message is quieter and honest.
+	const READY_HOLD_MS = 350;
+	// Nothing reports ready when a fetch fails outright, so the overlay needs its
+	// own way out rather than sitting on top of an error message forever.
+	const OVERLAY_CEILING_MS = 15000;
 
-	let contentVisible = $state(true);
-	let revealTimer = 0;
+	// The map is a cross-origin iframe, and a browser does not paint one into a
+	// view transition snapshot - captured bare, any transition with the maps page
+	// on either side would animate a hole where the map is. The way out is to
+	// make sure the map is never what gets captured: the maps page keeps an
+	// opaque cover over the iframe while the map boots (so an arrival fades into
+	// a clean panel, and the map fades up once ready), and raises the same cover
+	// again just before a departure is captured (see mapTransitionCover). Both
+	// snapshots then hold real pixels and the maps page transitions like any
+	// other route.
+	const MAPS_ROUTE = '/weather/maps';
+	const onMapsPage = () => routePath(get(page).url.pathname).startsWith(MAPS_ROUTE);
 
-	const reducedMotion = () =>
-		typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches;
+	let loadingOverlay = $state(false);
+	let overlayCeilingTimer = 0;
+	// A view transition freezes the page, so a Svelte in-transition started under
+	// one cannot play - the overlay would be captured at opacity 0 and pop in
+	// afterwards. Inside a transition the cross-fade does the fading instead.
+	let overlayFadesIn = $state(true);
 
-	// Routes that fetch their own forecast after mounting. Knowing this up front
-	// is what makes the wait reliable: the layout clears the ready flag before
-	// the swap rather than trusting the incoming page to have done it.
-	const DATA_ROUTES = new Set([
+	function showOverlay(animate: boolean): void {
+		overlayFadesIn = animate;
+		loadingOverlay = true;
+		clearTimeout(overlayCeilingTimer);
+		overlayCeilingTimer = window.setTimeout(() => (loadingOverlay = false), OVERLAY_CEILING_MS);
+	}
+
+	function hideOverlay(): void {
+		clearTimeout(overlayCeilingTimer);
+		loadingOverlay = false;
+	}
+
+	/**
+	 * Manual dismissal. The overlay reports on a fetch it does not control, so
+	 * "stuck" is always a possibility (a page that never reports ready, a request
+	 * that neither resolves nor rejects) - and the page behind it still works.
+	 * Whatever was loading carries on; only the veil goes.
+	 */
+	function dismissOverlay(): void {
+		hideOverlay();
+	}
+
+	function onWindowKeydown(event: KeyboardEvent): void {
+		if (event.key === 'Escape' && loadingOverlay) dismissOverlay();
+	}
+
+	/** The page that just mounted has its data: whatever we were waiting for is in. */
+	$effect(() => {
+		if ($pageContentReady) hideOverlay();
+	});
+
+	// Routes that are not finished on arrival: the five that fetch a forecast
+	// after mounting, the maps page (whose map is a cross-origin iframe that has
+	// to load first), and the redirect stubs, which render nothing at all and
+	// bounce to a located URL from `onMount`. Knowing this up front is what makes
+	// the wait reliable - the layout clears the ready flag before the swap rather
+	// than trusting the incoming page to have done it.
+	const PENDING_ROUTES = new Set([
+		'/',
+		'/weather/week',
+		'/weather/14-day',
+		'/weather/compare',
+		'/weather/seasonal',
+		'/weather/historical',
+		'/weather/maps',
 		'/weather/week/[location]',
 		'/weather/14-day/[location]',
 		'/weather/compare/[location]',
@@ -89,25 +175,67 @@
 		'/weather/historical/[location]'
 	]);
 
-	/** Resolves once the freshly mounted page has its data, or at the ceiling. */
-	async function waitForContent(): Promise<void> {
-		const deadline = Date.now() + READY_CEILING_MS;
+	/**
+	 * Resolves once the freshly mounted page has its data, or once the grace
+	 * period is up - in which case the overlay goes up first, so it is part of
+	 * the state the transition is about to snapshot.
+	 */
+	async function waitForContent(underTransition: boolean): Promise<void> {
+		const deadline = Date.now() + READY_HOLD_MS;
 		while (!get(pageContentReady) && Date.now() < deadline) {
-			await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 40));
+			await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, 20));
 		}
+		if (!get(pageContentReady)) showOverlay(!underTransition);
 		// one more frame so the page paints its data before the snapshot is taken
 		await tick();
 	}
 
-	onNavigate((navigation) => {
-		if (reducedMotion()) return;
+	/**
+	 * True when the navigation lands on the route and params the page is already
+	 * showing - the sidebar's home link from the week page it points at, or a
+	 * link that differs only in the query string.
+	 *
+	 * SvelteKit keeps the page component mounted for those, and nothing it holds
+	 * changes: its forecast is already fetched, so the readiness effect it
+	 * registered never re-runs and never re-announces. Clearing the flag for such
+	 * a navigation strands it cleared, and the overlay sits there until its
+	 * ceiling. There is genuinely nothing to wait for, so don't clear it.
+	 */
+	function landsOnCurrentPage(navigation: {
+		from: { route: { id: string | null }; params: Record<string, string> | null } | null;
+		to: { route: { id: string | null }; params: Record<string, string> | null } | null;
+	}): boolean {
+		const from = navigation.from;
+		const to = navigation.to;
+		if (!from?.route.id || from.route.id !== to?.route.id) return false;
+		return JSON.stringify(from.params ?? {}) === JSON.stringify(to.params ?? {});
+	}
 
-		const loadsData = DATA_ROUTES.has(navigation.to?.route?.id ?? '');
-		if (loadsData) markPageLoading();
+	onNavigate(async (navigation) => {
+		const pending =
+			PENDING_ROUTES.has(navigation.to?.route?.id ?? '') && !landsOnCurrentPage(navigation);
+		// Either way the flag is set explicitly: leaving a page that never resolved
+		// for one that has nothing to load would otherwise strand the overlay.
+		if (pending) markPageLoading();
+		else markPageReady();
 
-		if (typeof document.startViewTransition === 'function') {
-			return new Promise<void>((swap) => {
-				document.startViewTransition(async () => {
+		// `startViewTransition` decides whether a transition is possible at all
+		// (support, reduced motion, one already capturing) and runs the update
+		// inline when it is not - so there is exactly one path from here down.
+		const underTransition = canStartViewTransition();
+
+		// Leaving the maps page: cover the iframe before the outgoing state is
+		// captured, so the snapshot holds a clean panel instead of a hole where
+		// the map was. The tick makes sure the cover is actually in the DOM by
+		// the time the capture reads it.
+		if (underTransition && navigation.from?.route?.id === MAPS_ROUTE) {
+			mapTransitionCover.set(true);
+			await tick();
+		}
+
+		return new Promise<void>((swap) => {
+			void startViewTransition(
+				async () => {
 					// hand control back so SvelteKit swaps the DOM underneath the
 					// frozen snapshot of the old page
 					swap();
@@ -115,40 +243,28 @@
 					// rejects this promise; that is not an error worth surfacing,
 					// and leaving it unhandled shows up as "navigation aborted".
 					await navigation.complete.catch(() => {});
-					if (loadsData) await waitForContent();
-				});
-			});
-		}
-
-		// No view transitions: fall back to fading out, then back in on arrival.
-		clearTimeout(revealTimer);
-		contentVisible = false;
-		return new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve, FADE_OUT_MS));
+					if (pending) await waitForContent(underTransition);
+				},
+				// pins the chrome that is the same on both sides (routes/layout.css)
+				{ rootClass: 'page-switch', enabled: underTransition }
+			);
+		});
 	});
 
 	let mainEl = $state<HTMLElement | null>(null);
 
 	afterNavigate((navigation) => {
+		// The departure snapshot (if any) is taken by now, so the maps cover has
+		// done its job; lowering it here also means a later visit to the maps page
+		// starts from its own boot cover rather than a stuck one.
+		mapTransitionCover.set(false);
+
 		// The page scrolls inside <main>, not the window, so SvelteKit's own scroll
 		// handling never touches it and a new page would open half way down.
 		// Back/forward and in-page anchors keep their position.
 		if (navigation.type !== 'popstate' && !navigation.to?.url.hash) {
 			mainEl?.scrollTo({ top: 0 });
 		}
-
-		if (typeof document.startViewTransition === 'function' || reducedMotion()) {
-			contentVisible = true;
-			return;
-		}
-		const startedAt = Date.now();
-		const reveal = () => {
-			if (get(pageContentReady) || Date.now() - startedAt > READY_CEILING_MS) {
-				contentVisible = true;
-				return;
-			}
-			revealTimer = window.setTimeout(reveal, 60);
-		};
-		reveal();
 	});
 
 	// the maps page embeds a full-bleed map: no padding, no scrolling
@@ -171,14 +287,66 @@
 </script>
 
 <svelte:head>
-	<link rel="icon" href={favicon} />
+	<!-- the icon itself lives in app.html, so the SPA fallback carries it too -->
 	<meta charset="utf-8" />
 	<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" />
 </svelte:head>
 
+<!-- Page-wide loading veil. Deliberately `pointer-events-none`: it is a status
+     indicator, not a modal, so the nav and the search stay usable while a slow
+     forecast is still on its way. It is also always dismissable - Escape or the
+     close button - because a veil nobody can get rid of is worse than no veil,
+     and the page underneath is perfectly usable either way. -->
+<svelte:window onkeydown={onWindowKeydown} />
+
+{#if loadingOverlay}
+	<div
+		class="pointer-events-none fixed inset-0 z-60 flex items-center justify-center bg-background/55 backdrop-blur-[2px]"
+		in:fade={{ duration: overlayFadesIn ? 120 : 0 }}
+		out:fade={{ duration: 280 }}
+		role="status"
+		aria-live="polite"
+	>
+		<button
+			type="button"
+			class="pointer-events-auto absolute top-3 right-3 flex h-9 w-9 cursor-pointer items-center justify-center rounded-full border border-border bg-card text-muted-foreground shadow-lg transition-colors hover:bg-muted hover:text-foreground md:top-4 md:right-4"
+			onclick={dismissOverlay}
+			aria-label={m.page_loading_dismiss()}
+			title={m.page_loading_dismiss()}
+		>
+			<svg
+				class="h-4 w-4"
+				fill="none"
+				stroke="currentColor"
+				viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+				stroke-width="2"
+				aria-hidden="true"
+			>
+				<path stroke-linecap="round" d="M6 6l12 12M18 6L6 18" />
+			</svg>
+		</button>
+
+		<div
+			class="flex items-center gap-2.5 rounded-full border border-border bg-card px-4 py-2 shadow-lg"
+		>
+			<svg
+				class="h-4 w-4 animate-spin text-primary"
+				fill="none"
+				stroke="currentColor"
+				viewBox="0 0 24 24"
+				stroke-width="2.5"
+				aria-hidden="true"
+			>
+				<path stroke-linecap="round" d="M21 12a9 9 0 1 1-6.219-8.56" />
+			</svg>
+			<span class="text-sm font-semibold">{m.page_loading()}</span>
+		</div>
+	</div>
+{/if}
+
 <div class="flex h-screen overflow-hidden bg-background text-foreground">
 	<!-- Desktop sidebar -->
-	<div class="hidden h-full shrink-0 md:block">
+	<div class="sidebar-region hidden h-full shrink-0 md:block">
 		<WeatherNav collapsed={sidebarCollapsed} onToggle={toggleSidebar} />
 	</div>
 
@@ -221,10 +389,7 @@
 			{:else}
 				<!-- cap the content width on very large screens; the footer below
 				     gives the page its ending, so only modest bottom room is needed -->
-				<div
-					class="page-fade mx-auto w-full max-w-[1536px] flex-1 pb-24"
-					class:page-fade-hidden={!contentVisible}
-				>
+				<div class="mx-auto w-full max-w-[1536px] flex-1 pb-24">
 					{@render children()}
 				</div>
 				<!-- full-bleed footer inside the scroll area (its own inner max-w),
diff --git a/src/routes/about/content/de.svelte b/src/routes/about/content/de.svelte
index 12177d8..fa57f69 100644
--- a/src/routes/about/content/de.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/about/content/de.svelte
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
 		Drizz.li ist kostenlos nutzbar. Wenn es Ihnen nützt, können Sie es mit einem kleinen monatlichen
 		Beitrag unterstützen (ab 3 € / Monat) - das hilft, Domain, Hosting und Entwicklungszeit zu
 		decken. Als Dankeschön schalten Unterstützerinnen und Unterstützer die Extras frei: historisches
-		Wetter mit Vergleich zu den Klimanormalen sowie neue Funktionen, sobald sie erscheinen.
+		Wetter mit Vergleich zu den Klimanormalen, die saisonalen Aussichten für die kommenden Monate
+		sowie neue Funktionen, sobald sie erscheinen.
 	</p>
 	<p>
 		Beiträge laufen über eine einfache Banküberweisung - kein Zahlungsdienstleister, keine
diff --git a/src/routes/about/content/en.svelte b/src/routes/about/content/en.svelte
index 12c8fa9..e7b3fd6 100644
--- a/src/routes/about/content/en.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/about/content/en.svelte
@@ -25,8 +25,8 @@
 	<p>
 		Drizz.li is free to use. If you find it useful, you can support it with a small monthly
 		contribution (from €3 / month) - it helps cover the domain, hosting and development time. As a
-		thank-you, supporters unlock the extras: historical weather with climate-normal comparisons, and
-		new supporter features as they land.
+		thank-you, supporters unlock the extras: historical weather with climate-normal comparisons, the
+		seasonal outlook for the months ahead, and new supporter features as they land.
 	</p>
 	<p>
 		Contributions are handled by a simple bank transfer - no payment processor, no stored card
diff --git a/src/routes/about/content/es.svelte b/src/routes/about/content/es.svelte
index 2a034d7..4a9098e 100644
--- a/src/routes/about/content/es.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/about/content/es.svelte
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
 		Drizz.li es gratuito. Si te resulta útil, puedes apoyarlo con una pequeña aportación mensual
 		(desde 3 € al mes): ayuda a cubrir el dominio, el alojamiento y el tiempo de desarrollo. Como
 		agradecimiento, quienes colaboran desbloquean los extras: clima histórico con comparación frente
-		a las normales climáticas y las nuevas funciones que vayan llegando.
+		a las normales climáticas, la perspectiva estacional de los próximos meses y las nuevas
+		funciones que vayan llegando.
 	</p>
 	<p>
 		Las aportaciones se gestionan mediante una simple transferencia bancaria: sin pasarela de pago y
diff --git a/src/routes/about/content/fr.svelte b/src/routes/about/content/fr.svelte
index 85e7b11..845f679 100644
--- a/src/routes/about/content/fr.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/about/content/fr.svelte
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@
 		Drizz.li est gratuit. S'il vous est utile, vous pouvez le soutenir par une petite contribution
 		mensuelle (à partir de 3 € par mois) : elle aide à couvrir le nom de domaine, l'hébergement et
 		le temps de développement. En remerciement, les contributeurs débloquent les bonus : la météo
-		historique avec comparaison aux normales climatiques, ainsi que les nouvelles fonctions à venir.
+		historique avec comparaison aux normales climatiques, l'aperçu saisonnier des mois à venir,
+		ainsi que les nouvelles fonctions à venir.
 	</p>
 	<p>
 		Les contributions passent par un simple virement bancaire : aucun prestataire de paiement,
diff --git a/src/routes/about/content/it.svelte b/src/routes/about/content/it.svelte
index 94ecfe6..261f879 100644
--- a/src/routes/about/content/it.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/about/content/it.svelte
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@
 		Drizz.li è gratuito. Se lo trovi utile, puoi sostenerlo con un piccolo contributo mensile (da 3
 		€ al mese): aiuta a coprire dominio, hosting e tempo di sviluppo. Come ringraziamento, chi
 		sostiene il progetto sblocca gli extra: meteo storico con confronto rispetto alle normali
-		climatiche e le nuove funzioni man mano che arrivano.
+		climatiche, le prospettive stagionali per i mesi a venire e le nuove funzioni man mano che
+		arrivano.
 	</p>
 	<p>
 		I contributi avvengono con un semplice bonifico bancario: nessun gestore di pagamenti, nessun
diff --git a/src/routes/layout.css b/src/routes/layout.css
index bf2d613..918fca6 100644
--- a/src/routes/layout.css
+++ b/src/routes/layout.css
@@ -133,28 +133,20 @@
 		@apply bg-background text-foreground;
 	}
 
-	/* Page cross-fade: driven from routes/+layout.svelte, revealed when the new
-	   page reports its data has arrived. */
-	.page-fade {
-		transition: opacity 320ms ease;
-	}
-	.page-fade-hidden {
-		opacity: 0;
-	}
-	@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
-		.page-fade {
-			transition: none;
-		}
-		.page-fade-hidden {
-			opacity: 1;
-		}
-	}
-
 	/* ── Day switching ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 	   Only the three regions whose content depends on the selected day take part
-	   in the cross-fade. Everything else keeps its pixels: the `day-switch`
-	   class cancels the root animation, so the strip, header and page chrome do
-	   not so much as flicker while the table, summary and charts swap over. */
+	   in the cross-fade - and nothing else is captured at all. A captured
+	   element is neither painted nor hit-testable in the live page for the
+	   length of the animation (per spec: as if it had visibility:hidden and
+	   pointer-events:none), and the root is captured by default, which captures
+	   the whole page. That is what made the strip unclickable and the page
+	   unscrollable while a switch played - no amount of pointer-events on the
+	   overlay could fix it, because the page underneath was gone too. With the
+	   root left un-named the strip, the chrome and the scroller keep their live
+	   pixels and stay fully interactive. */
+	:root.day-switch {
+		view-transition-name: none;
+	}
 	:root.day-switch .day-region-table {
 		view-transition-name: day-table;
 	}
@@ -165,26 +157,87 @@
 		view-transition-name: day-charts;
 	}
 
-	/* The sticky day strip never changes during a day switch, but it has to be
-	   captured too: view-transition snapshots all paint in one layer above the
-	   page, so without its own group (and a higher z-index in that layer) the
-	   fading table and charts would slide over the top of it. */
-	:root.day-switch .daystrip {
-		view-transition-name: daystrip;
-	}
-	::view-transition-group(daystrip) {
-		z-index: 20;
+	/* Region snapshots paint in a viewport-fixed layer above the live page, at
+	   their full layout size - including the part of the table normally
+	   scrolled up behind the sticky strip and the topbar. The strip used to be
+	   captured purely to stay on top of that, but a captured strip is dead to
+	   input; instead the whole overlay is clipped at the strip bar's bottom
+	   edge (measured per switch by runDayTransition), so the snapshots stay
+	   out of the chrome and the chrome stays live. */
+	:root.day-switch::view-transition {
+		clip-path: inset(var(--day-switch-clip, 0px) 0 0 0);
 	}
 
-	/* Same for the topbar: a captured region's snapshot is painted at its layout
-	   position, including the part normally scrolled up behind the chrome. */
-	:root.day-switch .topbar {
+	/* Page swaps capture the topbar and sidebar: a region that is identical on
+	   both sides should not be animated at all, so they are pinned here and
+	   swapped outright below. */
+	:root.page-switch .topbar {
 		view-transition-name: topbar;
 	}
 	::view-transition-group(topbar) {
 		z-index: 30;
 	}
+	:root.page-switch .sidebar-region {
+		view-transition-name: sidebar;
+	}
+	::view-transition-group(sidebar) {
+		z-index: 25;
+	}
 
+	@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+		.day-region-table,
+		.day-region-summary,
+		.day-region-charts,
+		.topbar,
+		.sidebar-region {
+			view-transition-name: none;
+		}
+	}
+
+	/* The snapshot layer is a fixed overlay across the whole viewport and it
+	   hit-tests, so for the length of an animation every click would land on it
+	   and die - a day tapped while the previous switch is still fading simply
+	   went dead. Let input fall through to the live page instead: by the time
+	   the pseudo elements exist the DOM is already in its final state, and a
+	   click that starts a new transition supersedes the running one cleanly
+	   (see view-transition.ts). */
+	::view-transition {
+		pointer-events: none;
+	}
+
+	/* ── Cross-fades that do not dip ──────────────────────────────────────────
+	   The default cross-fade is NOT opacity-neutral: coverage of two stacked
+	   layers is `new + old * (1 - new)`, so at the midpoint the pair covers only
+	   ~75% of the region and the page background shows through both. That dip is
+	   the flash - over the whole viewport for a page swap, and over the table,
+	   summary and charts (between them the whole content column) for a day
+	   switch.
+
+	   Two ways out, and which one applies depends on whether the *incoming*
+	   snapshot is opaque. Holding the outgoing one at full opacity fixes the
+	   coverage arithmetic, but a translucent incoming snapshot then reads
+	   straight through it and the old content lingers as a ghost. */
+
+	/* The document background is opaque, so the whole-viewport swap can simply
+	   hold the outgoing snapshot until the pseudo elements are torn down. */
+	@keyframes vt-fade-in {
+		from {
+			opacity: 0;
+		}
+	}
+	::view-transition-old(root) {
+		animation: none;
+		opacity: 1;
+	}
+	::view-transition-new(root) {
+		animation: vt-fade-in 400ms ease;
+	}
+
+	/* The day regions are not opaque - they are cards with gaps and headings
+	   between them - so they keep a real cross-fade and fix the dip the other
+	   way: `plus-lighter` makes the two halves sum to exactly the original
+	   wherever they agree, which is most of the region (the card backgrounds are
+	   the same on both days; only the readings differ). */
 	::view-transition-old(day-table),
 	::view-transition-new(day-table),
 	::view-transition-old(day-summary),
@@ -193,32 +246,20 @@
 	::view-transition-new(day-charts) {
 		animation-duration: 420ms;
 		animation-timing-function: ease;
+		mix-blend-mode: plus-lighter;
 	}
 
-	:root.day-switch::view-transition-old(root),
-	:root.day-switch::view-transition-new(root) {
+	/* Pinned chrome swaps outright: identical on both sides, so any animation
+	   would only risk a flicker. */
+	::view-transition-old(topbar),
+	::view-transition-old(sidebar) {
 		animation: none;
+		opacity: 0;
 	}
-
-	@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
-		.day-region-table,
-		.day-region-summary,
-		.day-region-charts,
-		.daystrip,
-		.topbar {
-			view-transition-name: none;
-		}
-	}
-
-	/* Theme changes cross-fade the whole document in one pass (see
-	   routes/+layout.svelte). Doing it as a view transition instead of a blanket
-	   `* { transition }` matters: that blanket rule also stretched every
-	   component's own hover and focus transitions to 400ms for the duration of
-	   the switch, which read as lag on interactive controls. */
-	::view-transition-old(root),
-	::view-transition-new(root) {
-		animation-duration: 400ms;
-		animation-timing-function: ease;
+	::view-transition-new(topbar),
+	::view-transition-new(sidebar) {
+		animation: none;
+		opacity: 1;
 	}
 
 	/* Fallback for browsers without view transitions: fade the colours only. */
diff --git a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/de.svelte b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/de.svelte
index d991bbf..2328068 100644
--- a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/de.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/de.svelte
@@ -15,8 +15,9 @@
 	<h2>1. Was Sie erhalten</h2>
 	<p>
 		Ein Unterstützerbeitrag schaltet die Extras für den bezahlten Zeitraum frei: derzeit
-		historisches Wetter mit Vergleich zu den Klimanormalen sowie neue Funktionen, sobald sie
-		erscheinen. Die kostenlosen Teile von Drizz.li bleiben für alle frei.
+		historisches Wetter mit Vergleich zu den Klimanormalen und die saisonalen Aussichten für die
+		kommenden Monate sowie neue Funktionen, sobald sie erscheinen. Die kostenlosen Teile von
+		Drizz.li bleiben für alle frei.
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>2. Ablauf</h2>
diff --git a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/en.svelte b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/en.svelte
index 1b3e869..c624ccf 100644
--- a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/en.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/en.svelte
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 	<h2>1. What you get</h2>
 	<p>
 		A supporter contribution unlocks the supporter extras for the paid period: currently historical
-		weather with climate-normal comparisons, plus new supporter features as they land. The free
-		parts of Drizz.li stay free for everyone.
+		weather with climate-normal comparisons and the seasonal outlook for the months ahead, plus new
+		supporter features as they land. The free parts of Drizz.li stay free for everyone.
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>2. How it works</h2>
diff --git a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/es.svelte b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/es.svelte
index d9e355d..1946dce 100644
--- a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/es.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/es.svelte
@@ -17,8 +17,9 @@
 	<h2>1. Qué obtienes</h2>
 	<p>
 		Una aportación desbloquea los extras durante el periodo pagado: actualmente el clima histórico
-		con comparación frente a las normales climáticas, además de las nuevas funciones que vayan
-		llegando. Las partes gratuitas de Drizz.li siguen siendo gratuitas para todos.
+		con comparación frente a las normales climáticas y la perspectiva estacional de los próximos
+		meses, además de las nuevas funciones que vayan llegando. Las partes gratuitas de Drizz.li
+		siguen siendo gratuitas para todos.
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>2. Cómo funciona</h2>
diff --git a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/fr.svelte b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/fr.svelte
index 2f1ec5f..39544ec 100644
--- a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/fr.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/fr.svelte
@@ -14,8 +14,8 @@
 	<h2>1. Ce que vous obtenez</h2>
 	<p>
 		Une contribution débloque les bonus pour la période payée : actuellement la météo historique
-		avec comparaison aux normales climatiques, ainsi que les nouvelles fonctions à venir. Les
-		parties gratuites de Drizz.li le restent pour tout le monde.
+		avec comparaison aux normales climatiques et l'aperçu saisonnier des mois à venir, ainsi que les
+		nouvelles fonctions à venir. Les parties gratuites de Drizz.li le restent pour tout le monde.
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>2. Fonctionnement</h2>
diff --git a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/it.svelte b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/it.svelte
index 4b4111c..281f280 100644
--- a/src/routes/legal/terms/content/it.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/legal/terms/content/it.svelte
@@ -14,8 +14,9 @@
 	<h2>1. Cosa ottieni</h2>
 	<p>
 		Un contributo sblocca gli extra per il periodo pagato: attualmente il meteo storico con
-		confronto rispetto alle normali climatiche, oltre alle nuove funzioni man mano che arrivano. Le
-		parti gratuite di Drizz.li restano gratuite per tutti.
+		confronto rispetto alle normali climatiche e le prospettive stagionali per i mesi a venire,
+		oltre alle nuove funzioni man mano che arrivano. Le parti gratuite di Drizz.li restano gratuite
+		per tutti.
 	</p>
 
 	<h2>2. Come funziona</h2>
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/+layout.svelte b/src/routes/weather/+layout.svelte
index 2ac586c..a777a62 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/+layout.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/+layout.svelte
@@ -42,6 +42,21 @@
 	let subtitle = $derived(
 		SUBTITLES.find(([prefix]) => routePath($page.url.pathname).startsWith(prefix))?.[1]?.() ?? null
 	);
+
+	// Joined here rather than in the markup: Svelte trims the whitespace around a
+	// line break, so a separator written as "{admin1},\n{country}" renders as
+	// "Canton of Schwyz,Switzerland". Elevation joins the same line; from lg up
+	// the whole line is hidden, because the topbar pill carries the region and
+	// elevation there.
+	let region = $derived(
+		[
+			location?.admin1,
+			location?.country,
+			location?.elevation != null ? `${Math.round(location.elevation)}m` : null
+		]
+			.filter(Boolean)
+			.join(', ')
+	);
 </script>
 
 {#if subtitle && location}
@@ -55,13 +70,11 @@
 			<div class="min-w-0">
 				<h1 class="truncate text-2xl leading-tight font-bold tracking-tight md:text-3xl">
 					{location.name}
+					<span class="font-medium text-muted-foreground">· {subtitle}</span>
 				</h1>
-				<p class="truncate text-sm text-muted-foreground">
-					<span class="lg:hidden"
-						>{#if location.admin1}{location.admin1},
-						{/if}{location.country ?? ''}<span class="mx-1 opacity-50">·</span></span
-					>{subtitle}
-				</p>
+				{#if region}
+					<p class="truncate text-sm text-muted-foreground lg:hidden">{region}</p>
+				{/if}
 			</div>
 		</div>
 
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/14-day/[location]/+page.svelte b/src/routes/weather/14-day/[location]/+page.svelte
index 3f08103..a4be3c6 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/14-day/[location]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/14-day/[location]/+page.svelte
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { onMount } from 'svelte';
 	import { get } from 'svelte/store';
+	import { fade } from 'svelte/transition';
 
 	import { page } from '$app/stores';
 
 	import { reportPageReady } from '$lib/stores/page-transition.svelte';
 	import { storedEnsembleModel, storedLocation, storedUnits } from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
-	import { syncSearchParams } from '$lib/utils/url-state';
+	import { skeletonOut } from '$lib/utils/skeleton-fade';
+	import { syncSearchParams, unlessDefault } from '$lib/utils/url-state';
 
 	import { ChartContainer, ChartToolbar } from '$lib/components/charts';
 	import { Label } from '$lib/components/ui/label';
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@
 	let { data }: { data: PageData } = $props();
 
 	// the page cross-fade waits for this before revealing the new page
-	reportPageReady(() => fetchedData != null);
+	reportPageReady(() => fetchedData != null || loadError != null);
 
 	useHeroActions(heroActions);
 
@@ -56,10 +58,12 @@
 		storedLocation.set(data.location);
 	});
 
+	const DEFAULT_MODEL = 'ncep_gefs_seamless';
+
 	let params = $state({
 		...defaultParameters,
 		hourly: ['temperature_2m', 'precipitation', 'wind_speed_10m', 'cloud_cover', 'pressure_msl'],
-		models: ['ncep_gefs_seamless']
+		models: [DEFAULT_MODEL]
 	});
 
 	// units live in a persisted store; mirror them into params so a change
@@ -94,7 +98,7 @@
 	$effect(() => {
 		const model = params.models?.[0];
 		if (!mounted || !model) return;
-		syncSearchParams(get(page).url, { model });
+		syncSearchParams({ model: unlessDefault(model, DEFAULT_MODEL) });
 	});
 
 	// components persist across refetches; entries are null while unmounted
@@ -294,9 +298,9 @@
 
 <!-- the ensemble picker rides in the layout's location row (see weather/+layout) -->
 {#snippet heroActions()}
-	<div class="lg:absolute lg:right-0 lg:top-0 flex w-full items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
+	<div class="flex w-full items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
 		<ModelSelector
-			selectedModel={params.models?.[0] ?? 'ncep_gefs_seamless'}
+			selectedModel={params.models?.[0] ?? DEFAULT_MODEL}
 			groups={ensembleModelGroups}
 			label={m.model_ensemble()}
 			onModelChange={(model) => {
@@ -340,42 +344,52 @@
 	</div>
 {/if}
 
-{#if fetchedData}
-	<!-- full-bleed graphs until lg / contained card on lg+; titles stay within
-	     the page margins (padded), the graphs bleed to the edges -->
-	<div class="-mx-3 border-y border-border/70 bg-card shadow-sm lg:mx-0 lg:rounded-2xl lg:border">
-		{#each chartDefs as def, i (i)}
-			<div class="px-0 pt-1.5 pb-1 lg:px-4 lg:pb-3 {i > 0 ? 'border-t border-border/50' : ''}">
-				<div class="mb-1 px-3 lg:px-0">
-					<h4 class="text-sm font-bold tracking-tight">{def.title}</h4>
-					{#if def.subtitle}
-						<p class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{def.subtitle}</p>
-					{/if}
+<!-- `relative` lets the placeholder dissolve over the finished charts (skeletonOut) -->
+<div class="relative">
+	{#if fetchedData}
+		<!-- full-bleed graphs until lg / contained card on lg+; titles stay within
+		     the page margins (padded), the graphs bleed to the edges -->
+		<div class="-mx-3 border-y border-border/70 bg-card shadow-sm lg:mx-0 lg:rounded-2xl lg:border">
+			{#each chartDefs as def, i (i)}
+				<div class="px-0 pt-1.5 pb-1 lg:px-4 lg:pb-3 {i > 0 ? 'border-t border-border/50' : ''}">
+					<div class="mb-1 px-3 lg:px-0">
+						<h4 class="text-sm font-bold tracking-tight">{def.title}</h4>
+						{#if def.subtitle}
+							<p class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{def.subtitle}</p>
+						{/if}
+					</div>
+					<ChartContainer {loading} chartCount={1} chartHeight={300} minWidth={520} bleed={false}>
+						<CanvasChart
+							bind:this={chartComponents[i]}
+							timestamps={timestampsSec}
+							timezone={fetchedData.timezone}
+							series={def.series}
+							bands={fetchedData.daylightBands}
+							unit={def.unit}
+							showCredit={def.showCredit}
+							zeroBaseLeft={def.zeroBaseLeft ?? true}
+							yMin={def.yMin}
+							yMax={def.yMax}
+							{showLegend}
+							height={300}
+							group={CHART_GROUP}
+						/>
+					</ChartContainer>
 				</div>
-				<ChartContainer {loading} chartCount={1} chartHeight={300} minWidth={520} bleed={false}>
-					<CanvasChart
-						bind:this={chartComponents[i]}
-						timestamps={timestampsSec}
-						timezone={fetchedData.timezone}
-						series={def.series}
-						bands={fetchedData.daylightBands}
-						unit={def.unit}
-						showCredit={def.showCredit}
-						zeroBaseLeft={def.zeroBaseLeft ?? true}
-						yMin={def.yMin}
-						yMax={def.yMax}
-						{showLegend}
-						height={300}
-						group={CHART_GROUP}
-					/>
-				</ChartContainer>
-			</div>
-		{/each}
-	</div>
-{:else}
-	<!-- reserve the chart area height before data arrives (no layout shift) -->
-	<ChartContainer loading chartCount={params.hourly?.length || 1} chartHeight={340} bleed={false} />
-{/if}
+			{/each}
+		</div>
+	{:else}
+		<!-- reserve the chart area height before data arrives (no layout shift) -->
+		<div in:fade={{ duration: 200 }} out:skeletonOut>
+			<ChartContainer
+				loading
+				chartCount={params.hourly?.length || 1}
+				chartHeight={340}
+				bleed={false}
+			/>
+		</div>
+	{/if}
+</div>
 
 <!-- ─── Toolbar: Controls + Download ───────────────────────────────────────── -->
 
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/+page.svelte b/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/+page.svelte
index 1080eb1..028f147 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/+page.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { onDestroy, onMount, tick, untrack } from 'svelte';
 	import { get } from 'svelte/store';
+	import { fade } from 'svelte/transition';
 
 	import { page } from '$app/stores';
 
@@ -8,14 +9,16 @@
 	import { storedLocation, storedModel, storedUnits } from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
 	import { formatZoned } from '$lib/utils/date';
-	import { readList, syncSearchParams } from '$lib/utils/url-state';
+	import { skeletonOut } from '$lib/utils/skeleton-fade';
+	import { listUnlessDefault, readList, syncSearchParams } from '$lib/utils/url-state';
 
 	import {
 		ChartContainer,
 		ChartToolbar,
-		type ExportableChart,
-		type ExportLegendItem
+		type ExportLegendItem,
+		type ExportableChart
 	} from '$lib/components/charts';
+
 	import {
 		CHART_COLORS,
 		CanvasChart,
@@ -54,7 +57,9 @@
 	const MODEL_IDS = new Set(modelOptions.map((model) => model.value));
 	const MODEL_ORDER = new Map(modelOptions.map((model, index) => [model.value, index]));
 	const AUTOMATIC_SEAMLESS_MODEL_IDS = new Set(
-		modelGroups.find((group) => group.value === 'automatic_seamless')?.models.map((model) => model.value)
+		modelGroups
+			.find((group) => group.value === 'automatic_seamless')
+			?.models.map((model) => model.value)
 	);
 	const COMPARE_MODEL_GROUPS = [
 		...modelGroups.filter((group) => group.value !== 'automatic_seamless'),
@@ -81,6 +86,10 @@
 	];
 
 	let { data }: { data: PageData } = $props();
+
+	// the URL is the source of truth: location comes from the load function,
+	// which is also correct on hydrated prerendered pages. The persisted store
+	// only mirrors it so the header and bare /weather/* redirects follow along.
 	let location = $derived(data.location);
 	let mounted = $state(false);
 	let loading = $state(true);
@@ -100,16 +109,17 @@
 		showModelNames ? (isMobile ? 92 : 116) : isMobile ? 34 : 40
 	);
 	let comparisonPlotInsetRight = $derived(isMobile ? 8 : 20);
+	const DEFAULT_MODELS = orderModels([
+		'ecmwf_ifs',
+		'meteofrance_arpege_world',
+		'ukmo_global_deterministic_10km',
+		'icon_global',
+		'gfs_global'
+	]);
 	let params = $state({
 		...defaultParameters,
 		hourly: [...STANDARD_COMPARE_VARIABLES],
-		models: orderModels([
-			'ecmwf_ifs',
-			'meteofrance_arpege_world',
-			'ukmo_global_deterministic_10km',
-			'icon_global',
-			'gfs_global'
-		])
+		models: [...DEFAULT_MODELS]
 	});
 	let appliedHourly = $state<string[]>([...STANDARD_COMPARE_VARIABLES]);
 	let appliedModels = $state<string[]>([...params.models]);
@@ -226,9 +236,11 @@
 		const models = appliedModels;
 		const vars = appliedHourly;
 		if (!mounted) return;
-		syncSearchParams(get(page).url, {
-			models: models.length ? models.join(',') : null,
-			vars: vars.length ? vars.join(',') : null
+		// variables are always held in the canonical order, so compare the ordered
+		// list against the ordered defaults - only a real change reaches the URL
+		syncSearchParams({
+			models: listUnlessDefault(models, DEFAULT_MODELS),
+			vars: listUnlessDefault(orderVariables(vars), orderVariables(STANDARD_COMPARE_VARIABLES))
 		});
 	});
 
@@ -507,15 +519,12 @@
 	});
 
 	let exportLegend = $derived.by((): ExportLegendItem[] => [
-		...displayedModels
-			.map((model) => ({
-				name: modelLabel(model.modelId),
-				color: modelColor(model.modelId, fetchedData?.selection.models),
-				style: 'point' as const
-			})),
-		...(chartDefs.some((def) =>
-			def.series.some((series) => series.name === m.compare_model_mean())
-		)
+		...displayedModels.map((model) => ({
+			name: modelLabel(model.modelId),
+			color: modelColor(model.modelId, fetchedData?.selection.models),
+			style: 'point' as const
+		})),
+		...(chartDefs.some((def) => def.series.some((series) => series.name === m.compare_model_mean()))
 			? [{ name: m.compare_model_mean(), color: CHART_COLORS.average, style: 'dashed' as const }]
 			: [])
 	]);
@@ -657,96 +666,103 @@
 	</div>
 {/if}
 
-{#if selectionEmpty}
-	<div
-		class="rounded-xl border border-dashed border-border bg-muted/30 px-4 py-10 text-center text-sm text-muted-foreground"
-	>
-		{m.compare_empty_selection()}
-	</div>
-{:else if noUsableData}
-	<div
-		class="rounded-xl border border-amber-300/60 bg-amber-50 px-4 py-4 text-sm text-amber-800 dark:border-amber-800/50 dark:bg-amber-950/30 dark:text-amber-200"
-	>
-		{m.compare_no_data()}
-	</div>
-{:else if loadError && !fetchedData}
-	<!-- The actionable error panel above replaces the chart until a retry succeeds. -->
-{:else if fetchedData && chartVariablesEmpty}
-	<div
-		class="rounded-xl border border-border bg-muted/30 px-4 py-6 text-center text-sm text-muted-foreground"
-	>
-		{m.compare_weather_codes_only()}
-	</div>
-{:else if fetchedData}
-	<div
-		class="relative -mx-3 border-y border-border/70 bg-card shadow-sm lg:mx-0 lg:rounded-2xl lg:border"
-	>
+<!-- `relative` lets the placeholder dissolve over the finished charts (skeletonOut) -->
+<div class="relative">
+	{#if selectionEmpty}
 		<div
-			class="transition-[opacity,filter] duration-200 {comparisonMuted
-				? 'pointer-events-none opacity-35 saturate-50'
-				: ''}"
+			class="rounded-xl border border-dashed border-border bg-muted/30 px-4 py-10 text-center text-sm text-muted-foreground"
 		>
-			{#each chartDefs as def, i (def.title)}
-				<div class="px-0 pt-1.5 pb-1 lg:px-4 lg:pb-3 {i > 0 ? 'border-t border-border/50' : ''}">
-					<div class="mb-1 px-3 lg:px-0">
-						<h2 class="text-sm font-bold tracking-tight">{def.title}</h2>
-						<p class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{def.subtitle}</p>
-					</div>
-					<ChartContainer
-						loading={loading && !fetchedData}
-						chartCount={1}
-						chartHeight={280}
-						minWidth={520}
-						bleed={false}
-					>
-						<CanvasChart
-							bind:this={chartComponents[i]}
-							timestamps={timestampsSec}
-							timezone={fetchedData.result.timezone}
-							series={def.series}
-							agreementStrip={def.agreementStrip}
-							bands={fetchedData.result.daylightBands}
-							unit={def.unit}
-							zeroBaseLeft={def.zeroBaseLeft}
-							yMin={def.yMin}
-							yMax={def.yMax}
-							yTicks={def.yTicks}
-							yTickFormat={def.yTickFormat}
-							{compactYAxis}
-							plotInsetLeft={comparisonPlotInsetLeft}
-							plotInsetRight={comparisonPlotInsetRight}
-							showCredit={i === chartDefs.length - 1}
-							height={280}
-							group={CHART_GROUP}
-							ariaLabel={`${def.title}. ${def.subtitle}`}
-						/>
-					</ChartContainer>
-				</div>
-			{/each}
+			{m.compare_empty_selection()}
 		</div>
-		{#if comparisonMuted}
+	{:else if noUsableData}
+		<div
+			class="rounded-xl border border-amber-300/60 bg-amber-50 px-4 py-4 text-sm text-amber-800 dark:border-amber-800/50 dark:bg-amber-950/30 dark:text-amber-200"
+		>
+			{m.compare_no_data()}
+		</div>
+	{:else if loadError && !fetchedData}
+		<!-- The actionable error panel above replaces the chart until a retry succeeds. -->
+	{:else if fetchedData && chartVariablesEmpty}
+		<div
+			class="rounded-xl border border-border bg-muted/30 px-4 py-6 text-center text-sm text-muted-foreground"
+		>
+			{m.compare_weather_codes_only()}
+		</div>
+	{:else if fetchedData}
+		<div
+			class="relative -mx-3 border-y border-border/70 bg-card shadow-sm lg:mx-0 lg:rounded-2xl lg:border"
+		>
 			<div
-				class="absolute inset-0 z-40 flex items-start justify-center bg-background/30 px-4 py-6 backdrop-blur-[1px]"
+				class="transition-[opacity,filter] duration-200 {comparisonMuted
+					? 'pointer-events-none opacity-35 saturate-50'
+					: ''}"
 			>
-				<div
-					class="sticky top-24 flex flex-col items-center gap-2 rounded-xl border border-border/70 bg-background/95 p-3 text-center shadow-lg"
-					role="status"
-				>
-					<span class="text-xs font-semibold text-muted-foreground">
-						{m.compare_selection_pending()}
-					</span>
-				</div>
+				{#each chartDefs as def, i (def.title)}
+					<div class="px-0 pt-1.5 pb-1 lg:px-4 lg:pb-3 {i > 0 ? 'border-t border-border/50' : ''}">
+						<div class="mb-1 px-3 lg:px-0">
+							<h2 class="text-sm font-bold tracking-tight">{def.title}</h2>
+							<p class="text-xs text-muted-foreground">{def.subtitle}</p>
+						</div>
+						<ChartContainer
+							loading={loading && !fetchedData}
+							chartCount={1}
+							chartHeight={280}
+							minWidth={520}
+							bleed={false}
+						>
+							<CanvasChart
+								bind:this={chartComponents[i]}
+								timestamps={timestampsSec}
+								timezone={fetchedData.result.timezone}
+								series={def.series}
+								agreementStrip={def.agreementStrip}
+								bands={fetchedData.result.daylightBands}
+								unit={def.unit}
+								zeroBaseLeft={def.zeroBaseLeft}
+								yMin={def.yMin}
+								yMax={def.yMax}
+								yTicks={def.yTicks}
+								yTickFormat={def.yTickFormat}
+								{compactYAxis}
+								plotInsetLeft={comparisonPlotInsetLeft}
+								plotInsetRight={comparisonPlotInsetRight}
+								showCredit={i === chartDefs.length - 1}
+								height={280}
+								group={CHART_GROUP}
+								ariaLabel={`${def.title}. ${def.subtitle}`}
+							/>
+						</ChartContainer>
+					</div>
+				{/each}
 			</div>
-		{/if}
-	</div>
-{:else}
-	<ChartContainer
-		loading
-		chartCount={appliedHourly.filter((v) => v !== 'weather_code' && v !== 'cloud_cover').length || 1}
-		chartHeight={300}
-		bleed={false}
-	/>
-{/if}
+			{#if comparisonMuted}
+				<div
+					class="absolute inset-0 z-40 flex items-start justify-center bg-background/30 px-4 py-6 backdrop-blur-[1px]"
+				>
+					<div
+						class="sticky top-24 flex flex-col items-center gap-2 rounded-xl border border-border/70 bg-background/95 p-3 text-center shadow-lg"
+						role="status"
+					>
+						<span class="text-xs font-semibold text-muted-foreground">
+							{m.compare_selection_pending()}
+						</span>
+					</div>
+				</div>
+			{/if}
+		</div>
+	{:else}
+		<!-- reserve the chart area height before data arrives (no layout shift) -->
+		<div in:fade={{ duration: 200 }} out:skeletonOut>
+			<ChartContainer
+				loading
+				chartCount={appliedHourly.filter((v) => v !== 'weather_code' && v !== 'cloud_cover')
+					.length || 1}
+				chartHeight={300}
+				bleed={false}
+			/>
+		</div>
+	{/if}
+</div>
 
 {#if fetchedData && !loading && fetchedData.selection.hourly.includes('weather_code')}
 	<div
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/ModelPictogramTimeline.svelte b/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/ModelPictogramTimeline.svelte
index cf16bf3..aec30c9 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/ModelPictogramTimeline.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/compare/[location]/ModelPictogramTimeline.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { onDestroy, onMount } from 'svelte';
 
+	import { formatZoned } from '$lib/utils/date';
+
 	import {
 		groupHover,
 		groupRange,
@@ -9,7 +11,6 @@
 		setGroupRange
 	} from '$lib/charts';
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
-	import { formatZoned } from '$lib/utils/date';
 
 	import { getWeatherIconName, hasWeatherIcon } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
 	import { modelColor, modelLabel } from './comparison';
@@ -140,10 +141,7 @@
 		const span = viewEnd - viewStart;
 		const nextSpan = span * factor;
 		const fraction = (centerTime - viewStart) / Math.max(1, span);
-		applyRange(
-			centerTime - fraction * nextSpan,
-			centerTime + (1 - fraction) * nextSpan
-		);
+		applyRange(centerTime - fraction * nextSpan, centerTime + (1 - fraction) * nextSpan);
 	}
 
 	function nearestIndex(values: number[], target: number): number {
@@ -154,10 +152,7 @@
 			if (values[middle] < target) low = middle + 1;
 			else high = middle;
 		}
-		if (
-			low > 0 &&
-			Math.abs(values[low - 1] - target) <= Math.abs(values[low] - target)
-		) {
+		if (low > 0 && Math.abs(values[low - 1] - target) <= Math.abs(values[low] - target)) {
 			return low - 1;
 		}
 		return low;
@@ -402,8 +397,7 @@
 		if (gesture === 'scroll') return;
 		if (gesture === 'pan' && panStart && pointers.size === 1 && zoomed) {
 			const deltaTime =
-				((panStart.x - event.clientX) / Math.max(1, plotWidth)) *
-				(panStart.end - panStart.start);
+				((panStart.x - event.clientX) / Math.max(1, plotWidth)) * (panStart.end - panStart.start);
 			applyRange(panStart.start + deltaTime, panStart.end + deltaTime);
 			return;
 		}
@@ -762,9 +756,7 @@
 						</div>
 						{#each tooltipRows as row (row.modelId)}
 							<div class="grid min-w-0 grid-cols-[auto_minmax(0,1fr)_auto] items-center gap-1.5">
-								<span
-									class="size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full"
-									style:background-color={row.color}
+								<span class="size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full" style:background-color={row.color}
 								></span>
 								<span class="min-w-0 break-words">{row.label}:</span>
 								<span class="pl-2 text-right font-semibold whitespace-nowrap">
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/+page.svelte b/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/+page.svelte
index ff359c7..a6e626a 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/+page.svelte
@@ -13,17 +13,19 @@
 		storedVariablePrefs
 	} from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
+	import { skeletonOut } from '$lib/utils/skeleton-fade';
+
 	import { ChartContainer } from '$lib/components/charts';
 
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
-	import PaywallGate from '$lib/paywall/PaywallGate.svelte';
-	import { isSupporter } from '$lib/paywall/supporter';
 	import {
 		type ClimateNormals,
 		type HistoricalForecastResult,
 		fetchClimateNormals,
 		fetchHistoricalWeather
 	} from '$lib/services/weather';
+	import SupporterGate from '$lib/supporter/SupporterGate.svelte';
+	import { isSupporter } from '$lib/supporter/store';
 
 	import { useHeroActions } from '../../hero.svelte';
 	import { archiveModelGroups, defaultParameters } from '../../options';
@@ -39,8 +41,10 @@
 
 	let { data }: { data: PageData } = $props();
 
-	// the page cross-fade waits for this before revealing the new page
-	reportPageReady(() => result != null);
+	// The page cross-fade waits for this before revealing the new page - and so
+	// does the loading overlay, so a visitor without a key has to count as ready:
+	// the locked panel is the finished page here, nothing is on its way.
+	reportPageReady(() => result != null || loadError != null || !$isSupporter);
 
 	useHeroActions(heroActions);
 
@@ -213,13 +217,15 @@
 	);
 
 	function switchDay(date: Date) {
-		selectedDay.setTime(date.getTime());
+		// see the week page: an unformattable selected day breaks every consumer
+		const time = date?.getTime();
+		if (Number.isFinite(time)) selectedDay.setTime(time);
 	}
 </script>
 
 <!-- the reanalysis picker rides in the layout's location row -->
 {#snippet heroActions()}
-	<div class="lg:absolute lg:right-0 lg:top-0 flex w-full min-w-0 items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
+	<div class="flex w-full min-w-0 items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
 		<ModelSelector
 			selectedModel={archiveModel}
 			groups={archiveModelGroups}
@@ -237,7 +243,7 @@
 	<meta name="description" content="Past weather and climate-normal comparisons for any location" />
 </svelte:head>
 
-<PaywallGate feature={m.page_historical_subtitle()}>
+<SupporterGate feature={m.page_historical_subtitle()}>
 	<DateRangeControls
 		start={startDate}
 		end={endDate}
@@ -254,7 +260,7 @@
 		</div>
 	{/if}
 
-	<div class="mt-4">
+	<div class="relative mt-4">
 		{#if result && fetchedHourly && fetchedDaily}
 			<HistoricalDaily
 				daily={result.daily}
@@ -278,10 +284,10 @@
 
 			<HistoricalMeteograms data={fetchedHourly} units={params} {loading} {selectedDay} />
 		{:else}
-			<div transition:fade={{ duration: 200 }} class="grid gap-3">
+			<div in:fade={{ duration: 200 }} out:skeletonOut class="grid gap-3">
 				<div class="h-28 animate-pulse rounded-2xl border border-border/70 bg-card"></div>
 				<ChartContainer loading chartCount={3} chartHeight={300} bleed={false} />
 			</div>
 		{/if}
 	</div>
-</PaywallGate>
+</SupporterGate>
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalDaily.svelte b/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalDaily.svelte
index 1d5f989..3c7d27e 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalDaily.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalDaily.svelte
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	} from '$lib/services/weather';
 
 	import { getColor, getTempStyle } from '../../utils/colors';
-	import { getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
+	import { getWeatherDescription, getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
 	import { type WeatherUnits, getPrecipUnit, getTempUnit } from '../../week/[location]/types';
 
 	interface Props {
@@ -202,7 +202,8 @@
 						>{formatZoned(date, timezone, 'd MMM')}</span
 					>
 
-					<svg class="my-0.5" width="20" height="20" aria-hidden="true">
+					<svg class="my-0.5" width="20" height="20">
+						<title>{getWeatherDescription(daily.weather_code[i])}</title>
 						<use
 							xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{getWeatherIconName(
 								daily.weather_code[i],
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalMeteograms.svelte b/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalMeteograms.svelte
index 05c6370..4791348 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalMeteograms.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/historical/[location]/HistoricalMeteograms.svelte
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 	let chartComponents: (CanvasChart | null)[] = $state([]);
 	let liveCharts = $derived(chartComponents.filter((c): c is CanvasChart => c != null));
 
-	// Same customizable layout as the 7-day meteograms, so the two pages match.
+	// Same customizable layout as the week-page meteograms, so the two pages match.
 	let panels = $derived(
 		$storedChartLayout.filter((p) => p.variables.some((k) => VARIABLE_BY_KEY.has(k)))
 	);
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/maps/+page.svelte b/src/routes/weather/maps/+page.svelte
index 106f922..6aef597 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/maps/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/maps/+page.svelte
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 <script lang="ts">
 	import { onMount } from 'svelte';
+	import { fade } from 'svelte/transition';
 
+	import { mapTransitionCover, reportPageReady } from '$lib/stores/page-transition.svelte';
 	import { storedLocation, storedModel, storedTheme } from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
 	import { mapsDomainForModel } from '$lib/utils/maps-domain';
@@ -16,6 +18,23 @@
 	let hashOverride = $state<string | null>(null);
 	let iframeEl = $state<HTMLIFrameElement | null>(null);
 	let mapReady = $state(false);
+	let frameLoaded = $state(false);
+
+	// The map is a cross-origin iframe: until it has loaded there is nothing here
+	// but an empty panel, and a page transition that ends before then cross-fades
+	// the old page into that blank. Reporting readiness holds the transition (and
+	// then the loading overlay) until there is actually a map to fade into.
+	// `om-maps:ready` is the good signal; the iframe's own load event is the
+	// backstop, so a map that fails to boot still releases the page.
+	reportPageReady(() => mapReady || frameLoaded);
+
+	// The map stays under an opaque cover until it is ready, so it fades up from
+	// a clean panel instead of flashing the iframe's white boot document (worst
+	// in dark mode). The same cover is what makes navigation transitions work at
+	// all here: a cross-origin iframe is never painted into a view transition
+	// snapshot, so the cover is raised again just before a departure is captured
+	// (see mapTransitionCover) - both snapshots then hold real pixels.
+	let revealed = $derived(mapReady || frameLoaded);
 
 	const postToMap = (message: Record<string, unknown>) => {
 		iframeEl?.contentWindow?.postMessage(message, MAPS_ORIGIN);
@@ -83,7 +102,7 @@
 
 <!-- Full-bleed map: the layout drops its padding for this route. The map
      follows our theme through the color-scheme declared on :root/.dark -->
-<div class="h-full w-full bg-background">
+<div class="relative h-full w-full bg-background">
 	<!-- allow="cross-origin-isolated" delegates SharedArrayBuffer use to the
 	     map; it only takes effect when this site itself is served with
 	     COOP/COEP headers (see README, Deployment) -->
@@ -95,7 +114,22 @@
 		allowfullscreen
 		allow="cross-origin-isolated"
 		referrerpolicy="no-referrer"
+		onload={() => (frameLoaded = true)}
 		class="block h-full w-full border-0"
+		class:invisible={$mapTransitionCover}
 		sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-forms allow-popups"
 	></iframe>
+
+	<!-- No `in:` transition on purpose: when the cover comes back for a
+	     departure it has to be at full opacity by the time the snapshot is
+	     taken, not fading towards it. The iframe is additionally made
+	     invisible then (above), so the capture never has to paint cross-origin
+	     content at all - some engines degrade the whole transition over it. -->
+	{#if !revealed || $mapTransitionCover}
+		<div
+			class="absolute inset-0 bg-background"
+			out:fade={{ duration: 300 }}
+			aria-hidden="true"
+		></div>
+	{/if}
 </div>
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/seasonal/[location]/+page.svelte b/src/routes/weather/seasonal/[location]/+page.svelte
index f57368b..0554a1a 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/seasonal/[location]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/seasonal/[location]/+page.svelte
@@ -6,19 +6,21 @@
 	import { reportPageReady } from '$lib/stores/page-transition.svelte';
 	import { storedLocation, storedSeasonalModel, storedUnits } from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
+	import { skeletonOut } from '$lib/utils/skeleton-fade';
+
 	import { ChartContainer, ChartToolbar } from '$lib/components/charts';
 	import { Label } from '$lib/components/ui/label';
 	import { Switch } from '$lib/components/ui/switch';
 
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
-	import PaywallGate from '$lib/paywall/PaywallGate.svelte';
-	import { isSupporter } from '$lib/paywall/supporter';
 	import {
 		type ClimateNormals,
 		type SeasonalForecastResult,
 		fetchClimateNormals,
 		fetchSeasonalForecast
 	} from '$lib/services/weather';
+	import SupporterGate from '$lib/supporter/SupporterGate.svelte';
+	import { isSupporter } from '$lib/supporter/store';
 
 	import { useHeroActions } from '../../hero.svelte';
 	import { defaultParameters, seasonalModelGroups } from '../../options';
@@ -33,8 +35,10 @@
 
 	let { data }: { data: PageData } = $props();
 
-	// the page cross-fade waits for this before revealing the new page
-	reportPageReady(() => result != null);
+	// The page cross-fade waits for this before revealing the new page - and so
+	// does the loading overlay, so a visitor without a key has to count as ready:
+	// the locked panel is the finished page here, nothing is on its way.
+	reportPageReady(() => result != null || loadError != null || !$isSupporter);
 
 	useHeroActions(heroActions);
 
@@ -189,16 +193,27 @@
 
 <!-- the range buttons ride in the layout's location row (see weather/+layout) -->
 {#snippet heroActions()}
+	<!-- Out of flow on lg+ (the hero row is `relative`), same as the week, 14-day
+	     and archive pages: the controls then cannot move the heading when they
+	     change size. -->
 	<div class="flex w-full flex-wrap items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
-		{#if result}
-			<!-- range buttons reslice the already-fetched horizon (no refetch) -->
+		<!-- Range buttons reslice the already-fetched horizon (no refetch). While a
+		     forecast is on its way they stay mounted but invisible, because
+		     mounting them on arrival re-flowed the row and nudged the heading.
+		     Two exceptions, both of which would reserve a gap for something that
+		     is never coming: below sm the group is a full-width row of its own,
+		     and behind the supporter gate there is no forecast on its way at all. -->
+		{#if $isSupporter}
 			<div
-				class="flex w-full gap-1 rounded-lg border border-border bg-card p-1 sm:w-auto"
+				class="flex w-full gap-1 rounded-lg border border-border bg-card p-1 sm:w-auto {result
+					? ''
+					: 'hidden sm:flex sm:invisible'}"
 				role="group"
 				aria-label={m.seasonal_range_aria()}
+				aria-hidden={!result}
 			>
 				{#each RANGES as range, i (range.label)}
-					{@const disabled = range.days !== Infinity && range.days > horizonDays}
+					{@const disabled = !result || (range.days !== Infinity && range.days > horizonDays)}
 					<button
 						type="button"
 						class="flex-1 cursor-pointer rounded-md px-3 py-1.5 text-xs font-semibold whitespace-nowrap transition-colors sm:flex-none {rangeIndex ===
@@ -209,6 +224,7 @@
 							: ''}"
 						aria-pressed={rangeIndex === i}
 						{disabled}
+						tabindex={result ? undefined : -1}
 						onclick={() => (rangeIndex = i)}
 					>
 						{range.label}
@@ -253,7 +269,7 @@
 	</p>
 </div>
 
-<PaywallGate feature={m.page_seasonal_subtitle()}>
+<SupporterGate feature={m.page_seasonal_subtitle()}>
 	{#if loadError}
 		<div
 			class="mb-4 rounded-md border border-destructive/50 bg-destructive/10 px-4 py-3 text-sm text-destructive"
@@ -262,40 +278,44 @@
 		</div>
 	{/if}
 
-	{#if visible && months.length > 0}
-		<SeasonalMonths {months} units={params} {normals} />
+	<!-- `relative` anchors the placeholder while it fades out over the real
+	     outlook rather than holding its own slot in the layout (skeletonOut). -->
+	<div class="relative">
+		{#if visible && months.length > 0}
+			<SeasonalMonths {months} units={params} {normals} />
 
-		<div class="mt-6">
-			<SeasonalCharts
-				result={visible}
-				{normals}
-				units={params}
-				{loading}
-				{showLegend}
-				bind:charts={chartComponents}
-			/>
-		</div>
-
-		<div class="mt-6 md:mt-10">
-			<ChartToolbar charts={liveCharts} fileName="seasonal-outlook">
-				{#snippet controls()}
-					<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
-						<Switch id="show_legend" name="Show legend" bind:checked={showLegend} />
-						<Label for="show_legend" class="cursor-pointer text-base leading-none"
-							>{m.legend_show()}</Label
-						>
-					</div>
-				{/snippet}
-			</ChartToolbar>
-		</div>
-	{:else if !loadError}
-		<div transition:fade={{ duration: 200 }} class="grid gap-3">
-			<div class="grid gap-2.5 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
-				{#each [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] as i (i)}
-					<div class="h-44 animate-pulse rounded-xl border border-border/70 bg-card"></div>
-				{/each}
+			<div class="mt-6">
+				<SeasonalCharts
+					result={visible}
+					{normals}
+					units={params}
+					{loading}
+					{showLegend}
+					bind:charts={chartComponents}
+				/>
 			</div>
-			<ChartContainer loading chartCount={2} chartHeight={300} bleed={false} />
-		</div>
-	{/if}
-</PaywallGate>
+
+			<div class="mt-6 md:mt-10">
+				<ChartToolbar charts={liveCharts} fileName="seasonal-outlook">
+					{#snippet controls()}
+						<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+							<Switch id="show_legend" name="Show legend" bind:checked={showLegend} />
+							<Label for="show_legend" class="cursor-pointer text-base leading-none"
+								>{m.legend_show()}</Label
+							>
+						</div>
+					{/snippet}
+				</ChartToolbar>
+			</div>
+		{:else if !loadError}
+			<div in:fade={{ duration: 200 }} out:skeletonOut class="grid gap-3">
+				<div class="grid gap-2.5 sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3">
+					{#each [0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5] as i (i)}
+						<div class="h-44 animate-pulse rounded-xl border border-border/70 bg-card"></div>
+					{/each}
+				</div>
+				<ChartContainer loading chartCount={2} chartHeight={300} bleed={false} />
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+	</div>
+</SupporterGate>
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.spec.ts b/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..313aab4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,129 @@
+import { existsSync } from 'node:fs';
+import { join } from 'node:path';
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest';
+
+import {
+	computeDayNightWeatherCodes,
+	getWeatherDescription,
+	getWeatherIconName
+} from './weather-codes';
+
+const ICON_DIR = join(process.cwd(), 'static/images/weather-icons');
+
+// The codes open-meteo actually emits (WMO 4677 subset), with the family each
+// one belongs to. The icon mapping used to be built for a different code table,
+// which is how fog ended up showing hail and a hail thunderstorm a tornado -
+// mismatches nothing in the type system could catch.
+const OPEN_METEO_CODES: Record<number, { meaning: string; family: RegExp }> = {
+	0: { meaning: 'Clear sky', family: /clear/ },
+	1: { meaning: 'Mainly clear', family: /clear|cloudy/ },
+	2: { meaning: 'Partly cloudy', family: /cloudy/ },
+	3: { meaning: 'Overcast', family: /cloudy/ },
+	45: { meaning: 'Fog', family: /fog/ },
+	48: { meaning: 'Depositing rime fog', family: /fog/ },
+	51: { meaning: 'Light drizzle', family: /sprinkle|showers/ },
+	53: { meaning: 'Moderate drizzle', family: /sprinkle|rain/ },
+	55: { meaning: 'Dense drizzle', family: /sprinkle|rain/ },
+	56: { meaning: 'Light freezing drizzle', family: /rain-mix|sleet/ },
+	57: { meaning: 'Dense freezing drizzle', family: /rain-mix|sleet/ },
+	61: { meaning: 'Slight rain', family: /rain|sprinkle|showers/ },
+	63: { meaning: 'Moderate rain', family: /rain/ },
+	65: { meaning: 'Heavy rain', family: /rain/ },
+	66: { meaning: 'Light freezing rain', family: /rain-mix|sleet/ },
+	67: { meaning: 'Heavy freezing rain', family: /rain-mix|sleet/ },
+	71: { meaning: 'Slight snowfall', family: /snow/ },
+	73: { meaning: 'Moderate snowfall', family: /snow/ },
+	75: { meaning: 'Heavy snowfall', family: /snow/ },
+	77: { meaning: 'Snow grains', family: /snow/ },
+	80: { meaning: 'Slight rain showers', family: /showers|rain/ },
+	81: { meaning: 'Moderate rain showers', family: /showers|rain/ },
+	82: { meaning: 'Violent rain showers', family: /showers|rain/ },
+	85: { meaning: 'Slight snow showers', family: /snow/ },
+	86: { meaning: 'Heavy snow showers', family: /snow/ },
+	95: { meaning: 'Thunderstorm', family: /thunderstorm|storm-showers|lightning/ },
+	96: { meaning: 'Thunderstorm with slight hail', family: /thunderstorm|storm-showers|hail/ },
+	99: { meaning: 'Thunderstorm with heavy hail', family: /thunderstorm|storm-showers|hail/ }
+};
+
+const codes = Object.keys(OPEN_METEO_CODES).map(Number);
+
+describe('getWeatherIconName', () => {
+	it.each(codes)('code %i resolves to icon files that exist', (code) => {
+		for (const daytime of [true, false]) {
+			const name = getWeatherIconName(code, daytime);
+			expect(existsSync(join(ICON_DIR, `${name}.svg`)), `${name}.svg missing`).toBe(true);
+		}
+	});
+
+	it.each(codes)('code %i uses a glyph that matches its meaning', (code) => {
+		const { meaning, family } = OPEN_METEO_CODES[code];
+		for (const daytime of [true, false]) {
+			const name = getWeatherIconName(code, daytime);
+			expect(name, `${code} (${meaning}) → ${name}`).toMatch(family);
+		}
+	});
+
+	it('never shows a tornado: open-meteo has no tornado code', () => {
+		const names = codes.flatMap((c) => [getWeatherIconName(c, true), getWeatherIconName(c, false)]);
+		expect(names.some((n) => n.includes('tornado'))).toBe(false);
+	});
+
+	it('distinguishes overcast from partly cloudy', () => {
+		expect(getWeatherIconName(3, true)).not.toBe(getWeatherIconName(2, true));
+	});
+
+	it('falls back to a clear glyph for codes it does not know', () => {
+		expect(getWeatherIconName(12345, true)).toBe('wi-day-clear');
+	});
+});
+
+describe('getWeatherDescription', () => {
+	it.each(codes)('code %i has a description', (code) => {
+		expect(getWeatherDescription(code).length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+	});
+
+	it('returns nothing for unknown or missing codes', () => {
+		expect(getWeatherDescription(12345)).toBe('');
+		expect(getWeatherDescription(null)).toBe('');
+		expect(getWeatherDescription(undefined)).toBe('');
+		expect(getWeatherDescription(NaN)).toBe('');
+	});
+});
+
+describe('daily aggregation', () => {
+	const DAY = 24 * 3600;
+	// One synthetic day: sunrise 06:00, sunset 20:00, hourly codes from 00:00.
+	const hourly = (codes: number[]) => codes.map((_, i) => i * 3600 * 1000);
+	const run = (hourCodes: number[]) =>
+		computeDayNightWeatherCodes(hourly(hourCodes), hourCodes, [6 * 3600], [20 * 3600]).day[0];
+
+	const mostlyClear = (overrides: Record<number, number>) =>
+		Array.from({ length: DAY / 3600 }, (_, h) => overrides[h] ?? 0);
+
+	it('lets a single thundery hour lead the day, as before', () => {
+		expect(run(mostlyClear({ 18: 95 }))).toBe(95);
+	});
+
+	it('picks the plain thunderstorm when a lone 99 ties with a 95', () => {
+		// the reported case: one hour of 99 next to one hour of 95 used to escalate
+		// the whole day card to the most extreme code on the scale
+		expect(run(mostlyClear({ 18: 99, 19: 95 }))).toBe(95);
+	});
+
+	it('still shows 99 when it is the only thunder code', () => {
+		expect(run(mostlyClear({ 18: 99 }))).toBe(99);
+	});
+
+	it('follows frequency before severity within thunder', () => {
+		expect(run(mostlyClear({ 15: 99, 16: 99, 17: 95 }))).toBe(99);
+	});
+
+	it('keeps preferring the heavier code on a tie outside thunder', () => {
+		// 65 (heavy rain) over 80 (slight showers) - the open-meteo max-code flaw
+		expect(run(mostlyClear({ 12: 65, 13: 80 }))).toBe(65);
+	});
+
+	it('does not let one foggy hour brand the day', () => {
+		expect(run(mostlyClear({ 7: 45 }))).toBe(0);
+	});
+});
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.ts b/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.ts
index a274966..19e6398 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.ts
+++ b/src/routes/weather/utils/weather-codes.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
+import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
+
 const weatherCodes: Record<number, string> = {
 	0: 'clear',
 	1: 'clear',
 	2: 'cloudy',
-	3: 'cloudy',
+	3: 'overcast',
 	4: 'fog',
 	5: 'fog',
 	10: 'fog',
@@ -30,26 +32,26 @@ const weatherCodes: Record<number, string> = {
 	42: 'rain',
 	43: 'sprinkle',
 	44: 'rain',
-	45: 'hail',
+	45: 'fog',
 	46: 'hail',
 	47: 'snow',
-	48: 'snow',
+	48: 'fog',
 	50: 'sprinkle',
 	51: 'sprinkle',
 	52: 'rain',
-	53: 'rain',
+	53: 'sprinkle',
 	54: 'sprinkle',
 	55: 'rain',
 	56: 'rain-mix',
-	57: 'sprinkle',
+	57: 'rain-mix',
 	58: 'rain',
 	60: 'sprinkle',
 	61: 'sprinkle',
 	62: 'rain',
 	63: 'rain',
 	64: 'hail',
-	65: 'hail',
-	66: 'hail',
+	65: 'rain',
+	66: 'rain-mix',
 	67: 'rain-mix',
 	68: 'rain-mix',
 	70: 'snow',
@@ -61,13 +63,13 @@ const weatherCodes: Record<number, string> = {
 	76: 'snow',
 	77: 'snow',
 	78: 'snow',
-	80: 'rain',
-	81: 'sprinkle',
+	80: 'showers',
+	81: 'showers',
 	82: 'rain',
 	83: 'rain',
 	84: 'storm-showers',
-	85: 'rain-mix',
-	86: 'rain-mix',
+	85: 'snow',
+	86: 'snow',
 	87: 'rain-mix',
 	89: 'hail',
 	90: 'lightning',
@@ -77,11 +79,19 @@ const weatherCodes: Record<number, string> = {
 	94: 'lightning',
 	95: 'thunderstorm',
 	96: 'thunderstorm',
-	99: 'tornado'
+	99: 'storm-showers'
 };
 
-// These conditions ship only as a single neutral glyph (no day/night variant).
-const NEUTRAL_ICONS = new Set(['snowflake-cold', 'strong-wind', 'dust', 'tornado']);
+// Conditions that ship as a single neutral glyph (no day/night variant). The
+// file is not always wi-<name>: 'overcast' uses the flat cloud, which keeps it
+// distinct from 'cloudy' (code 2), whose glyph carries a sun or moon.
+const NEUTRAL_ICONS: Record<string, string> = {
+	'snowflake-cold': 'wi-snowflake-cold',
+	'strong-wind': 'wi-strong-wind',
+	dust: 'wi-dust',
+	tornado: 'wi-tornado',
+	overcast: 'wi-cloudy'
+};
 
 export function hasWeatherIcon(code: unknown): code is number {
 	return (
@@ -93,10 +103,52 @@ export function hasWeatherIcon(code: unknown): code is number {
 
 export function getWeatherIconName(code: number, daytime: boolean): string {
 	const name = weatherCodes[code as keyof typeof weatherCodes] ?? 'clear';
-	if (NEUTRAL_ICONS.has(name)) return `wi-${name}`;
+	const neutral = NEUTRAL_ICONS[name];
+	if (neutral) return neutral;
 	return `wi-${daytime ? 'day' : 'night'}-${name}`;
 }
 
+// Plain-language name for each code open-meteo actually emits (WMO 4677 subset),
+// used as the hover title on the pictograms. A glyph alone is ambiguous - the
+// hail-thunderstorm swirl in particular reads as something far more dramatic
+// than "thunderstorm with heavy hail".
+const WMO_DESCRIPTIONS: Record<number, () => string> = {
+	0: m.wmo_0,
+	1: m.wmo_1,
+	2: m.wmo_2,
+	3: m.wmo_3,
+	45: m.wmo_45,
+	48: m.wmo_48,
+	51: m.wmo_51,
+	53: m.wmo_53,
+	55: m.wmo_55,
+	56: m.wmo_56,
+	57: m.wmo_57,
+	61: m.wmo_61,
+	63: m.wmo_63,
+	65: m.wmo_65,
+	66: m.wmo_66,
+	67: m.wmo_67,
+	71: m.wmo_71,
+	73: m.wmo_73,
+	75: m.wmo_75,
+	77: m.wmo_77,
+	80: m.wmo_80,
+	81: m.wmo_81,
+	82: m.wmo_82,
+	85: m.wmo_85,
+	86: m.wmo_86,
+	95: m.wmo_95,
+	96: m.wmo_96,
+	99: m.wmo_99
+};
+
+/** Localized condition text for a weather code; '' for codes we have no name for. */
+export function getWeatherDescription(code: number | null | undefined): string {
+	if (code == null || !Number.isFinite(code)) return '';
+	return WMO_DESCRIPTIONS[code]?.() ?? '';
+}
+
 // ─── Local day/night weather codes ──────────────────────────────────────────
 // Open-meteo's daily weather_code is a plain numeric max over all 24 hourly
 // codes (VariableDaily.swift: `.max(.weathercode)`) — there is no day/night
@@ -121,8 +173,17 @@ const FOG = new Set([45, 48]);
 // counterparts when breaking frequency ties (fixes 80 "outranking" 65).
 const INTENSITY_EQUIV: Record<number, number> = { 80: 61, 81: 63, 82: 65, 77: 71, 85: 71, 86: 75 };
 
-/** Most frequent code; ties go to the more intense (then higher) code. */
-function modeWithHighTiebreak(codes: number[]): number {
+/**
+ * Most frequent code; ties go to the more intense (then higher) code, or with
+ * `preferLower` to the least intense one.
+ *
+ * Thunder is the one group that ties downwards. Within it the code only
+ * describes how much hail comes with the storm, and letting the worst of them
+ * win a coin-flip tie is how a single hour of 99 used to brand a whole day as
+ * the most extreme thing on the scale. Elsewhere the heavier code winning a tie
+ * is the point (heavy rain over slight showers).
+ */
+function modeWithHighTiebreak(codes: number[], preferLower = false): number {
 	const counts = new Map<number, number>();
 	for (const c of codes) counts.set(c, (counts.get(c) ?? 0) + 1);
 	let best = codes[0];
@@ -130,11 +191,10 @@ function modeWithHighTiebreak(codes: number[]): number {
 	for (const [code, count] of counts) {
 		const intensity = INTENSITY_EQUIV[code] ?? code;
 		const bestIntensity = INTENSITY_EQUIV[best] ?? best;
-		if (
-			count > bestCount ||
-			(count === bestCount &&
-				(intensity > bestIntensity || (intensity === bestIntensity && code > best)))
-		) {
+		const winsTie = preferLower
+			? intensity < bestIntensity || (intensity === bestIntensity && code < best)
+			: intensity > bestIntensity || (intensity === bestIntensity && code > best);
+		if (count > bestCount || (count === bestCount && winsTie)) {
 			best = code;
 			bestCount = count;
 		}
@@ -152,7 +212,7 @@ function daypartCode(codes: number[]): number | null {
 	// (open-meteo's "don't hide hazards" philosophy, kept per-group).
 	for (const group of [THUNDER, FREEZING, SNOW, RAIN, DRIZZLE]) {
 		const hits = hours.filter((c) => group.has(c));
-		if (hits.length > 0) return modeWithHighTiebreak(hits);
+		if (hits.length > 0) return modeWithHighTiebreak(hits, group === THUNDER);
 	}
 
 	// Fog needs persistence (≥2h and ≥¼ of the daypart) so one misty hour at
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/+page.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/+page.svelte
index afb8257..06dab8a 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/+page.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/+page.svelte
@@ -18,7 +18,8 @@
 	import { formatZoned } from '$lib/utils/date';
 	import { daySwap, runDayTransition } from '$lib/utils/day-swap';
 	import { buildLocationRoute } from '$lib/utils/location';
-	import { syncSearchParams } from '$lib/utils/url-state';
+	import { skeletonOut } from '$lib/utils/skeleton-fade';
+	import { syncSearchParams, unlessDefault } from '$lib/utils/url-state';
 
 	import { ChartContainer } from '$lib/components/charts';
 
@@ -49,7 +50,7 @@
 	let { data }: { data: PageData } = $props();
 
 	// the page cross-fade waits for this before revealing the new page
-	reportPageReady(() => fetchedDaily != null && fetchedHourly != null);
+	reportPageReady(() => (fetchedDaily != null && fetchedHourly != null) || loadError != null);
 
 	useHeroActions(heroActions);
 
@@ -85,10 +86,21 @@
 	// arrives (no layout shift)
 	let enabledChartCount = $derived($storedChartLayout.filter((p) => p.variables.length > 0).length);
 
-	// The hourly table is a header row plus one row per enabled variable, so the
-	// placeholder below reserves exactly that and nothing under it jumps when the
-	// real table arrives.
-	const TABLE_ROW_PX = 57;
+	// The hourly table is a header row, the time/daylight row, then one row per
+	// enabled variable, so the placeholder below reserves exactly that and
+	// nothing under it jumps when the real table arrives. Rows are shorter below
+	// lg, where the cells sit tighter - measured, not guessed: 36px against 55px,
+	// and the time row is 48px at every width.
+	let compactRows = $state(false);
+	onMount(() => {
+		const mq = window.matchMedia('(max-width: 1023px)');
+		const apply = () => (compactRows = mq.matches);
+		apply();
+		mq.addEventListener('change', apply);
+		return () => mq.removeEventListener('change', apply);
+	});
+	let tableRowPx = $derived(compactRows ? 36 : 55);
+	const TABLE_TIME_ROW_PX = 48;
 	let enabledTableRows = $derived(Object.values($storedVariablePrefs.table).filter(Boolean).length);
 
 	// Request only the hourly variables the table rows and meteograms actually
@@ -200,8 +212,13 @@
 
 	// Charts intentionally keep their current range: they show the full week
 	// unless the user narrows it via the range presets or Ctrl+scroll.
+	// A model that answers with a broken timestamp must not be able to park an
+	// unreadable date in `selectedDay`: everything downstream formats it, and a
+	// date that cannot be formatted takes the page with it.
 	const switchDay = (date: Date) => {
-		runDayTransition(() => selectedDay.setTime(date.getTime()));
+		const time = date?.getTime();
+		if (!Number.isFinite(time)) return;
+		runDayTransition(() => selectedDay.setTime(time));
 	};
 
 	onMount(() => {
@@ -256,9 +273,9 @@
 		const isToday = fetchedDaily
 			? dayKey === formatZoned(new Date(), fetchedDaily.timezone, 'yyyy-MM-dd')
 			: false;
-		syncSearchParams(get(page).url, {
+		syncSearchParams({
 			day: isToday ? null : dayKey,
-			model: model && model !== 'best_match' ? model : null
+			model: unlessDefault(model, 'best_match')
 		});
 	});
 
@@ -329,12 +346,12 @@
 <svelte:head>
 	<title>Drizz.li | {m.page_week_title()}</title>
 	<link rel="canonical" href="https://drizz.li/weather/week" />
-	<meta name="description" content="7-day weather forecast with detailed hourly data" />
+	<meta name="description" content="Weekly weather forecast with detailed hourly data" />
 </svelte:head>
 
 <!-- the model picker rides in the layout's location row (see weather/+layout) -->
 {#snippet heroActions()}
-	<div class="lg:absolute lg:right-0 lg:top-0 flex w-full min-w-0 items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
+	<div class="flex w-full min-w-0 items-center gap-3 sm:w-auto">
 		<ModelSelector
 			selectedModel={params.models?.[0] ?? 'best_match'}
 			onModelChange={(model) => {
@@ -457,85 +474,115 @@
 				{locationRoute}
 			/>
 
-			{#if fetchedHourly && fetchedDaily}
-				<div class="day-region-table" use:daySwap={selectedDayKey}>
-					<HourlyTable
-						data={fetchedHourly}
-						daily={fetchedDaily}
-						{selectedDay}
-						units={params}
-						locationName={location.name ?? ''}
-						onCustomize={() => (variableSidebarOpen = true)}
-					/>
-				</div>
-			{:else}
-				<!-- Mirrors the real table: same header bar and the same body height,
-				     so the heading doesn't pop in and nothing below moves.
-				     Placeholders only fade IN - a fade-out would keep them in the
-				     layout while the real content mounts below, and everything below
-				     would jump the moment they finally unmount. -->
-				<div
-					in:fade={{ duration: 200 }}
-					class="-mx-3 overflow-hidden border-y border-border/70 bg-card shadow-sm md:mx-0 md:rounded-2xl md:border"
-				>
+			<!-- `relative` is what lets the placeholder fade out on top of the table
+			     instead of holding a second slot in the layout (see skeletonOut). -->
+			<div class="relative">
+				{#if fetchedHourly && fetchedDaily}
+					<div class="day-region-table" use:daySwap={selectedDayKey}>
+						<HourlyTable
+							data={fetchedHourly}
+							daily={fetchedDaily}
+							{selectedDay}
+							units={params}
+							locationName={location.name ?? ''}
+							onCustomize={() => (variableSidebarOpen = true)}
+						/>
+					</div>
+				{:else}
+					<!-- Mirrors the real table: same header bar and the same body height,
+					     so the heading doesn't pop in and nothing below moves. -->
 					<div
-						class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 border-b border-border/70 bg-muted/40 px-4 py-2.5"
+						in:fade={{ duration: 200 }}
+						out:skeletonOut
+						class="-mx-3 overflow-hidden border-y border-border/70 bg-card shadow-sm md:mx-0 md:rounded-2xl md:border"
 					>
-						<div class="h-6 w-44 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
-						<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
-							<div class="h-8 w-24 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
-							<div class="h-8 w-20 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
-						</div>
-					</div>
-					<!-- one placeholder per row the real table will render, so the body
-					     reads as a loading table rather than a blank panel -->
-					<div class="divide-y divide-border/50">
-						{#each { length: enabledTableRows } as _, i (i)}
-							<div class="flex items-center gap-4 px-4" style="height: {TABLE_ROW_PX}px">
-								<div class="h-3.5 w-14 shrink-0 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
-								<div class="h-3.5 flex-1 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted/70"></div>
+						<div
+							class="flex items-center justify-between gap-2 border-b border-border/70 bg-muted/40 px-4 py-2.5"
+						>
+							<div class="h-6 w-44 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
+							<div class="flex items-center gap-2">
+								<div class="h-8 w-24 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
+								<div class="h-8 w-20 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
 							</div>
-						{/each}
-					</div>
-				</div>
-			{/if}
-
-			{#if fetchedHourly && fetchedDaily}
-				<div class="day-region-summary" use:daySwap={selectedDayKey}>
-					<DaySummary data={fetchedHourly} daily={fetchedDaily} {selectedDay} units={params} />
-				</div>
-			{:else}
-				<!-- same footprint as the written forecast, so it doesn't shove the
-				     meteograms down when it arrives -->
-				<section class="mt-6" in:fade={{ duration: 200 }}>
-					<div class="h-52 animate-pulse rounded-2xl border border-border/70 bg-card sm:h-40"></div>
-				</section>
-			{/if}
-
-			{#if fetchedHourly}
-				<div class="day-region-charts" use:daySwap={selectedDayKey}>
-					<MeteogramCharts
-						data={fetchedHourly}
-						{selectedDay}
-						units={params}
-						{loading}
-						{chartHeight}
-					/>
-				</div>
-			{:else}
-				<!-- reserve the exact chart area height before the first fetch resolves,
-				     header row included -->
-				<section class="mt-8" in:fade={{ duration: 200 }}>
-					<div class="mb-3 flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-2">
-						<div class="h-7 w-52 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
-						<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
-							<div class="h-7 w-56 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
-							<div class="h-7 w-24 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
+						</div>
+						<!-- one placeholder per row the real table will render, so the body
+					     reads as a loading table rather than a blank panel -->
+						<div class="divide-y divide-border/50">
+							<!-- the time + daylight row, which is taller than the variable rows -->
+							<div class="flex items-center gap-4 px-4" style="height: {TABLE_TIME_ROW_PX}px">
+								<div class="h-3.5 w-14 shrink-0 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
+								<div class="h-5 flex-1 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted/70"></div>
+							</div>
+							{#each { length: enabledTableRows } as _, i (i)}
+								<div class="flex items-center gap-4 px-4" style="height: {tableRowPx}px">
+									<div class="h-3.5 w-14 shrink-0 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
+									<div class="h-3.5 flex-1 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted/70"></div>
+								</div>
+							{/each}
 						</div>
 					</div>
-					<ChartContainer loading chartCount={enabledChartCount || 1} {chartHeight} />
-				</section>
-			{/if}
+				{/if}
+			</div>
+
+			<div class="relative">
+				{#if fetchedHourly && fetchedDaily}
+					<div class="day-region-summary" use:daySwap={selectedDayKey}>
+						<DaySummary data={fetchedHourly} daily={fetchedDaily} {selectedDay} units={params} />
+					</div>
+				{:else}
+					<!-- Same footprint as the written forecast, so it doesn't shove the
+					     meteograms down when it arrives. The heights are measured from the
+					     real card at each breakpoint: on phones the narrative is clamped to
+					     five lines with a fixed toggle row, so that side is exact; from md
+					     up the text runs free and this is the typical height. The sun/moon
+					     grid reflows at sm, md and lg, which is why all four are needed. -->
+					<section class="mt-6" in:fade={{ duration: 200 }} out:skeletonOut>
+						<div
+							class="h-96.5 animate-pulse rounded-2xl border border-border/70 bg-card sm:h-85 md:h-73 lg:h-56"
+						></div>
+					</section>
+				{/if}
+			</div>
+
+			<div class="relative">
+				{#if fetchedHourly}
+					<div class="day-region-charts" use:daySwap={selectedDayKey}>
+						<MeteogramCharts
+							data={fetchedHourly}
+							{selectedDay}
+							units={params}
+							{loading}
+							{chartHeight}
+						/>
+					</div>
+				{:else}
+					<!-- reserve the exact chart area height before the first fetch resolves,
+					     header row included -->
+					<section class="mt-8" in:fade={{ duration: 200 }} out:skeletonOut>
+						<!-- The real header wraps to two rows until the controls fit beside
+					     the title, which happens at different widths than you would
+					     expect because the sidebar takes its share from md up. These
+					     min-heights follow the measured wrap points. -->
+						<div
+							class="mb-3 flex min-h-27 flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:min-h-16.5 md:min-h-27 lg:min-h-16.5 xl:min-h-7.5"
+						>
+							<div class="h-7 w-52 animate-pulse rounded bg-muted"></div>
+							<div class="flex items-center gap-3">
+								<div class="h-7 w-56 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
+								<div class="h-7 w-24 animate-pulse rounded-lg bg-muted"></div>
+							</div>
+						</div>
+						<!-- Each meteogram is its plot plus a title row and axis labels, so
+					     the reserved box needs that chrome on top of the plot height or
+					     everything below lands ~50px per chart too high. -->
+						<ChartContainer
+							loading
+							chartCount={enabledChartCount || 1}
+							chartHeight={chartHeight + (narrowViewport ? 43 : 62)}
+						/>
+					</section>
+				{/if}
+			</div>
 
 			{#if selectedDayKey}
 				<NearbyCities
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyCards.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyCards.svelte
index debe2fd..5c3e440 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyCards.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyCards.svelte
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
 	import { getTempStyle } from '../../utils/colors';
-	import { getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
+	import { getWeatherDescription, getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
 	import { precipIsSignificant, sunIsSignificant, windIsSignificant } from './significance';
 	import { type FetchedDaily, type WeatherUnits, getWindArrowRotation } from './types';
 
@@ -196,6 +196,7 @@
 									height="100px"
 									style="filter: url(#thin-day-icon)"
 								>
+									<title>{getWeatherDescription(dayCode)}</title>
 									<use
 										xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{getWeatherIconName(
 											dayCode,
@@ -208,6 +209,7 @@
 									width="42px"
 									height="42px"
 								>
+									<title>{getWeatherDescription(nightCode)}</title>
 									<use
 										xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{getWeatherIconName(
 											nightCode,
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyStripSticky.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyStripSticky.svelte
index b35b5f8..58cfa5f 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyStripSticky.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DailyStripSticky.svelte
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
 	import { getTempStyle } from '../../utils/colors';
-	import { getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
+	import { getWeatherDescription, getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
 	import {
 		getSunshineColor,
 		getSunshinePercent,
@@ -276,6 +276,7 @@
 							<div class="icon-row flex w-full items-center justify-center">
 								<div class="icon-wrap">
 									<svg class="day-icon fill-foreground">
+										<title>{getWeatherDescription(dayCode)}</title>
 										<use
 											xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{getWeatherIconName(
 												dayCode,
@@ -285,6 +286,7 @@
 									</svg>
 								</div>
 								<svg class="night-icon self-end fill-foreground/60">
+									<title>{getWeatherDescription(nightCode)}</title>
 									<use
 										xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{getWeatherIconName(
 											nightCode,
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DaySummary.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DaySummary.svelte
index 538131d..100cac1 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DaySummary.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/DaySummary.svelte
@@ -96,6 +96,35 @@
 		return `M 0 ${-R} A ${R} ${R} 0 0 ${outerSweep} 0 ${R} A ${rx} ${R} 0 0 ${innerSweep} 0 ${-R} Z`;
 	});
 	let illumination = $derived(finite(phase) ? Math.round(moonIllumination(phase) * 100) : null);
+
+	// ─── Narrative clamp (phones only) ──────────────────────────────────────────
+	// The narrative runs anywhere from two to nine lines depending on the day,
+	// which on a phone means the whole page below it moves as soon as the data
+	// lands. Below md the text is clamped to five lines and gets a toggle, and
+	// the block reserves those five lines plus the toggle row whatever the
+	// length - so the card is the same height before and after the fetch, and the
+	// skeleton can match it exactly. From md up nothing is clamped.
+
+	let expanded = $state(false);
+	let textEl = $state<HTMLParagraphElement>();
+	let overflows = $state(false);
+
+	$effect(() => {
+		sentences; // re-measure when the day (and so the text) changes
+		const el = textEl;
+		if (!el || expanded) return; // measuring while open would always say "fits"
+
+		const measure = () => {
+			// only clamped below md, where the toggle is the only way to see the rest
+			const clamped = window.matchMedia('(max-width: 767px)').matches;
+			overflows = clamped && el.scrollHeight - el.clientHeight > 1;
+		};
+		measure();
+
+		const observer = new ResizeObserver(measure);
+		observer.observe(el);
+		return () => observer.disconnect();
+	});
 </script>
 
 <section class="mt-6" aria-label={m.summary_heading()}>
@@ -115,15 +144,35 @@
 		</div>
 
 		<div class="grid gap-4 px-4 py-3.5 lg:grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto] lg:gap-6">
-			{#if sentences.length > 0}
-				<p class="text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-foreground">
-					{sentences.join(' ')}
-				</p>
-			{:else}
-				<p class="text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground">
-					{m.summary_no_data()}
-				</p>
-			{/if}
+			<div class="narrative">
+				{#if sentences.length > 0}
+					<p
+						bind:this={textEl}
+						class="text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-foreground"
+						class:clamped={!expanded}
+					>
+						{sentences.join(' ')}
+					</p>
+				{:else}
+					<p class="text-[15px] leading-relaxed text-muted-foreground">
+						{m.summary_no_data()}
+					</p>
+				{/if}
+
+				<!-- Always occupies its row on phones, even when the text fits: a
+				     toggle that appears only sometimes is itself a layout shift. -->
+				<button
+					type="button"
+					class="toggle mt-1 cursor-pointer text-[13px] font-semibold text-primary hover:underline"
+					class:invisible={!overflows && !expanded}
+					aria-hidden={!overflows && !expanded}
+					tabindex={!overflows && !expanded ? -1 : 0}
+					aria-expanded={expanded}
+					onclick={() => (expanded = !expanded)}
+				>
+					{expanded ? m.summary_read_less() : m.summary_read_more()}
+				</button>
+			</div>
 
 			<!-- Sun, moon and UV: the numbers the sentence above deliberately leaves out -->
 			<dl
@@ -218,3 +267,36 @@
 		</div>
 	</div>
 </section>
+
+<style>
+	/* Phones: exactly five lines, reserved whether the text is long or short, so
+	   the card's height never depends on the forecast that lands. 15px text at
+	   leading-relaxed (1.625) → 5 lines = 8.125em. */
+	.clamped {
+		display: -webkit-box;
+		-webkit-box-orient: vertical;
+		-webkit-line-clamp: 5;
+		line-clamp: 5;
+		overflow: hidden;
+	}
+
+	.narrative p {
+		min-height: 8.125em;
+	}
+
+	/* md and up: no clamp, no reserved height, no toggle. */
+	@media (min-width: 768px) {
+		.clamped {
+			display: block;
+			overflow: visible;
+		}
+
+		.narrative p {
+			min-height: 0;
+		}
+
+		.toggle {
+			display: none;
+		}
+	}
+</style>
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/HourlyTable.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/HourlyTable.svelte
index 6f01d72..6b0abec 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/HourlyTable.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/HourlyTable.svelte
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 	import * as m from '$lib/paraglide/messages';
 
 	import { getTempStyle } from '../../utils/colors';
-	import { getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
+	import { getWeatherDescription, getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
 	import {
 		type FetchedDaily,
 		type FetchedHourly,
@@ -322,6 +322,10 @@
 	// positioned relative to the data columns only.
 	let headerColWidth = $state(0);
 	let tableWidth = $state(0);
+	// Measured so the centred NOW badge can be clamped fully inside the row:
+	// centred on a time near midnight it would poke past the last column and
+	// hand the scroller a sliver of phantom overflow.
+	let nowBadgeWidth = $state(0);
 	let nowLeftPx = $derived(
 		nowPercent != null && tableWidth > 0
 			? headerColWidth + (nowPercent / 100) * (tableWidth - headerColWidth)
@@ -425,8 +429,9 @@
 	});
 </script>
 
-{#snippet weatherIcon(name: string, size: number = 16)}
+{#snippet weatherIcon(name: string, size: number = 16, description: string = '')}
 	<svg class="inline-block fill-foreground" width={size} height={size}>
+		{#if description}<title>{description}</title>{/if}
 		<use xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{name}.svg#Layer_1"></use>
 	</svg>
 {/snippet}
@@ -607,14 +612,17 @@
 								{#if nowPercent != null}
 									<div
 										class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 w-0.5 -translate-x-1/2 bg-red-500/75"
-										style="left:{nowPercent}%"
+										style="left:clamp(1px, {nowPercent}%, calc(100% - 1px))"
 									></div>
 								{/if}
-								<!-- "Now" label, aligned with the sunrise/sunset labels along the bottom -->
+								<!-- "Now" label, aligned with the sunrise/sunset labels along the
+								     bottom; its centre is clamped so the pill never leaves the row -->
 								{#if isTodaySelected && nowPercent != null}
 									<span
+										bind:clientWidth={nowBadgeWidth}
 										class="absolute bottom-0.5 z-15 -translate-x-1/2 rounded-full bg-red-500 px-1.5 py-px text-[9px] font-bold tracking-wide whitespace-nowrap text-white uppercase shadow-sm"
-										style="left:{nowPercent}%"
+										style="left:clamp({nowBadgeWidth /
+											2}px, {nowPercent}%, calc(100% - {nowBadgeWidth / 2}px))"
 									>
 										{m.table_now()}
 									</span>
@@ -678,7 +686,11 @@
 												!cellData[i + 1].isDaytime}
 										>
 											{#if finite(wCode)}
-												{@render weatherIcon(getWeatherIconName(wCode, cell.isDaytime), iconPx)}
+												{@render weatherIcon(
+													getWeatherIconName(wCode, cell.isDaytime),
+													iconPx,
+													getWeatherDescription(wCode)
+												)}
 											{/if}
 										</td>
 									{/each}
@@ -899,24 +911,31 @@
 					</tbody>
 				</table>
 
-				<!-- Hovered-column highlight, mirroring the meteogram crosshair -->
+				<!-- Hovered-column highlight, mirroring the meteogram crosshair.
+				     max-width caps the box at the wrapper's true (fractional) right
+				     edge: the widths here derive from rounded clientWidth bindings, so
+				     on the last column left+width can land a fraction of a pixel past
+				     the edge - enough scrollable overflow for a phantom scrollbar. -->
 				{#if hoveredCol >= 0 && tableWidth > 0}
 					{@const colWidth = (tableWidth - headerColWidth) / cellData.length}
+					{@const colLeft = headerColWidth + hoveredCol * colWidth}
 					<div
 						class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 z-10 border-x border-primary/40 bg-primary/10"
-						style="left:{headerColWidth + hoveredCol * colWidth}px;width:{colWidth}px"
+						style="left:{colLeft}px;width:{colWidth}px;max-width:calc(100% - {colLeft}px)"
 					></div>
 				{/if}
 
 				<!-- "Now" column highlight. The current-time line itself is painted per
-				     cell (.now-cell) so it stays under the values and icons. -->
+				     cell (.now-cell) so it stays under the values and icons. Same
+				     max-width cap as the hover highlight above. -->
 				{#if nowLeftPx != null}
 					{@const colWidth = (tableWidth - headerColWidth) / cellData.length}
 					{@const nowIdx = cellData.findIndex((c) => c.isNow)}
 					{#if nowIdx >= 0}
+						{@const colLeft = headerColWidth + nowIdx * colWidth}
 						<div
 							class="pointer-events-none absolute inset-y-0 z-10 border-x border-red-500/30 bg-red-500/5"
-							style="left:{headerColWidth + nowIdx * colWidth}px;width:{colWidth}px"
+							style="left:{colLeft}px;width:{colWidth}px;max-width:calc(100% - {colLeft}px)"
 						></div>
 					{/if}
 				{/if}
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/ModelSelector.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/ModelSelector.svelte
index 33aff9d..6005198 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/ModelSelector.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/ModelSelector.svelte
@@ -64,9 +64,13 @@
 		if (val) onModelChange(val);
 	}}
 >
+	<!-- Fixed width from sm up (mobile stays full-width): the trigger used to hug
+	     its content, so its size changed with every model name and differed
+	     between pages. One constant footprint, sized for the longest label in
+	     the catalogue; anything longer truncates. -->
 	<Select.Trigger
 		aria-label={m.model_selector_aria({ label })}
-		class="group h-auto min-h-12 min-w-0 flex-1 cursor-pointer gap-2.5 rounded-xl border-2 border-primary/35 bg-card py-1.5 ps-2.5 shadow-sm transition-colors hover:border-primary/70 hover:shadow-md data-[size=default]:h-auto data-[state=open]:border-primary sm:min-h-14 sm:gap-3 sm:py-2 sm:min-w-72 sm:flex-none"
+		class="group h-auto min-h-12 min-w-0 flex-1 cursor-pointer gap-2.5 rounded-xl border-2 border-primary/35 bg-card py-1.5 ps-2.5 shadow-sm transition-colors hover:border-primary/70 hover:shadow-md data-[size=default]:h-auto data-[state=open]:border-primary sm:min-h-14 sm:w-80 sm:gap-3 sm:py-2 sm:flex-none"
 	>
 		<div
 			class="flex size-8 shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-lg bg-primary/12 text-primary sm:size-9"
diff --git a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/NearbyCities.svelte b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/NearbyCities.svelte
index 8c5bb53..442d87c 100644
--- a/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/NearbyCities.svelte
+++ b/src/routes/weather/week/[location]/NearbyCities.svelte
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@
 	import { type NearbyCity, findNearbyCities } from '$lib/services/nearby-cities';
 	import { type NearbyDaily, fetchNearbyDaily } from '$lib/services/weather';
 
-	import { getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
+	import { getWeatherDescription, getWeatherIconName } from '../../utils/weather-codes';
 
 	import type { UnitPrefs } from '$lib/stores/settings';
 
@@ -113,6 +113,7 @@
 				>
 					<svg class="shrink-0 fill-foreground/80" width="34px" height="34px">
 						{#if day}
+							<title>{getWeatherDescription(day.weatherCode)}</title>
 							<use
 								xlink:href="/images/weather-icons/{getWeatherIconName(
 									day.weatherCode,
diff --git a/static/favicon.svg b/static/favicon.svg
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a99f1f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/static/favicon.svg
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="64" height="64" viewBox="0 0 64 64">
+	<title></title>
+	<defs>
+		<linearGradient id="sky" x1="0" y1="0" x2="0" y2="1">
+			<stop offset="0" stop-color="#e0f2fe" />
+			<stop offset="1" stop-color="#bae6fd" />
+		</linearGradient>
+		<linearGradient id="canopy" x1="0" y1="0" x2="0" y2="1">
+			<stop offset="0" stop-color="#fb923c" />
+			<stop offset="1" stop-color="#ea580c" />
+		</linearGradient>
+		<linearGradient id="drop" x1="0" y1="0" x2="0" y2="1">
+			<stop offset="0" stop-color="#38bdf8" />
+			<stop offset="1" stop-color="#2563eb" />
+		</linearGradient>
+	</defs>
+	<rect width="64" height="64" rx="14" fill="url(#sky)" />
+	<!-- raindrops falling onto the umbrella -->
+	<path d="M12 5c2 2.9 3 4.6 3 6.2a3 3 0 0 1-6 0c0-1.6 1-3.3 3-6.2Z" fill="url(#drop)" />
+	<path d="M53 4c2 2.9 3 4.6 3 6.2a3 3 0 0 1-6 0c0-1.6 1-3.3 3-6.2Z" fill="url(#drop)" />
+	<path d="M23 2.5c1.7 2.4 2.5 3.9 2.5 5.2a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-5 0c0-1.3.8-2.8 2.5-5.2Z" fill="url(#drop)" />
+	<path d="M45 12c1.7 2.4 2.5 3.9 2.5 5.2a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-5 0c0-1.3.8-2.8 2.5-5.2Z" fill="url(#drop)" />
+	<!-- pole with curved handle -->
+	<path
+		d="M33 35v17a4.5 4.5 0 0 1-9 0"
+		fill="none"
+		stroke="#475569"
+		stroke-width="3.25"
+		stroke-linecap="round"
+	/>
+	<!-- canopy tip -->
+	<path d="M33 13.5v4" fill="none" stroke="#475569" stroke-width="3" stroke-linecap="round" />
+	<!-- canopy with scalloped edge -->
+	<path
+		d="M11 37c0-11.6 9.8-21 22-21s22 9.4 22 21c-1.8-2.9-5.5-2.9-7.3 0-1.9-2.9-5.5-2.9-7.4 0-1.8-2.9-5.5-2.9-7.3 0-1.9-2.9-5.5-2.9-7.4 0-1.8-2.9-5.5-2.9-7.3 0-1.9-2.9-5.5-2.9-7.3 0Z"
+		fill="url(#canopy)"
+	/>
+	<!-- ribs -->
+	<path
+		d="M33 16.5c-5.2 3-7.4 11-7.3 19M33 16.5c5.2 3 7.4 11 7.3 19"
+		fill="none"
+		stroke="#9a3412"
+		stroke-width="1.5"
+		opacity="0.35"
+	/>
+</svg>
diff --git a/svelte.config.js b/svelte.config.js
index d615f22..3bdead3 100644
--- a/svelte.config.js
+++ b/svelte.config.js
@@ -45,12 +45,26 @@ const config = {
 				];
 				const localized = locales.flatMap((locale) => shared.map((p) => `/${locale}${p}`));
 
+				// Every per-location route, not just the week page: an unprerendered
+				// path is served by the SPA fallback, which the host answers with a
+				// 404 status. The page still works, but it costs a bogus 404 on every
+				// hard reload (and tells crawlers the page does not exist).
+				const cityRoutes = [
+					'/weather/week',
+					'/weather/compare',
+					'/weather/14-day',
+					'/weather/seasonal',
+					'/weather/historical'
+				];
+
 				try {
 					const citiesPath = path.resolve('src/routes/weather/locations/city-names100.json');
 					const raw = fs.readFileSync(citiesPath, 'utf-8');
 					const cities = JSON.parse(raw);
 					if (Array.isArray(cities)) {
-						const cityEntries = cities.map((c) => `/en/weather/week/${c}`);
+						const cityEntries = cities.flatMap((c) =>
+							cityRoutes.map((route) => `/en${route}/${c}`)
+						);
 						// Keep the default wildcard to include other routes
 						return ['*', ...localized, ...cityEntries];
 					}