---
title: 'Map layers'
url: 'http://www.mlat.uk/guide/layers'
markdown: 'http://www.mlat.uk/guide/layers.md'
date: '2026-10-22'
description: ".mlat-guide { --u: clamp(16px, 15.2px + 0.2vw, 16.8px); --g-accent: #0A74C4; --g-accent-dark: #0A5FA0; --g-bg: #ffffff; --g-bg-alt: #F5F7FA; --g-text: #14181D; --g-soft: #5B6772; --g-border: #D6DEE6; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'SF Pro Text'…"
---

[User Guide](http://www.mlat.uk/guide) › Map layers

# Map layers

- [Opening layers](#opening)
- [Aviation](#aviation)
- [Environment](#environment)
- [Base maps](#base)
- [Overlays](#overlays)
- [Drawing order](#order)

Layers add information underneath the live objects: weather, day and night, nautical marks, airspace - and choose the map itself.

## Opening layers

![Map layers: switches for overlays, a tick for the chosen base map](http://www.mlat.uk/user/pages/08.guide/05.layers/menu-layers.jpg)Map layers: switches for overlays, a tick for the chosen base map

Open the menu and choose **Map layers**. Overlays have a switch and can be combined; base maps are a list where the ticked one is in use. Your choices are remembered on this device and included in shared links.

## Aviation

**Airports** shows airport markers on the map. It is on by default; click an airport to open its card (see [Airports](http://www.mlat.uk/guide/objects#airports)).

## Environment

| Layer | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Aurora | The aurora forecast as a green band, from NOAA, with a Kp index pill on the map showing geomagnetic activity. |
| Wind | Animated particles drifting with the current wind 10 m above the ground, from Open-Meteo. Refreshed when you move the map and every 15 minutes. |
| OpenSeaMap | Nautical marks from OpenSeaMap: buoys, beacons, lights and harbour details. Most useful zoomed in on the coast. |
| Day / night | Shades the side of the Earth that is in darkness. The shade deepens gradually from sunset through dusk (twilight) to full night, and moves with the sun every minute. |
| Precipitation | The latest rain and snow radar from RainViewer. On by default. |

## Base maps

Under **Map**, choose the map underneath everything: OpenFreeMap styles (Bright, Liberty, Positron, Dark, Fiord), OpenStreetMap, CARTO, ESRI satellite and streets, and others. Only one can be in use at a time. To make the map quieter, turn on **Dim Map** in [Settings](http://www.mlat.uk/guide/settings).

## Overlays

Further groups add aviation overlays where they are available: airspace (openAIP), US flight restrictions, special-use airspace and weather radar, and European items such as radar corridors, AWACS orbits and air-to-air refuelling areas. Switch on any combination.

## Drawing order

Layers always stack in the same order, so nothing important is hidden. From the top: labels, satellites, aircraft and vessels, the "What's nearby" circle, tracks, your position and range rings, airspace overlays, wind, precipitation, the satellite footprint, day / night, OpenSeaMap, and finally the base map.

---

## Navigation

- Parent: [User Guide](http://www.mlat.uk/guide.md)
- Previous: [Menu & map options](http://www.mlat.uk/guide/menu.md)
- Next: [Settings](http://www.mlat.uk/guide/settings.md)