How’s the weather up there? Answering that question these days is as easy as reaching into our bags with the built-in apps that help us plan our daily outfits. There are many applications to capture the forecast, but are they all the most reliable? We set out to find out by compiling a list of the best weather apps of 2023 so you can prepare for any conditions ahead.
The forecast tells us more than what is happening in the clouds. Advanced reports include air quality, pollen count, dew point and more. A study says if you’re someone who enjoys outdoor activities, you need to know when pollen levels are lowest and what times you’re best outside. Weather apps and websites are a good way to monitor pollen levels in your area. This is especially important for people who suffer from seasonal allergies in spring. Everyone should be able to enjoy the great outdoors without a cold.
We rely heavily on our phones. Sometimes it’s more convenient to check the weather with an app instead of just going outside. In fact, a study of 2,000 smartphone users found that 62 percent of respondents constantly check weather forecasts on their phones. Hey, there’s no harm in being informed.
If you’re someone who wants all the details of the weather from an app that you can trust for accuracy, you’ve come to the right place. To find the most reliable platforms, StudyFinds has compiled a list of the top five weather apps after reviewing 10 expert websites. Have we forgotten your favourite? Let us know in the comments!
(Photo by Unsplash+ in collaboration with Getty Images) The list: The best weather apps, according to experts 1. Carrot weather
Tom’s Guide loves this option: “Carrot Weather used to be an iOS exclusive that you couldn’t get on Android and has long since bridged the platform gap; Now the evil AI overlord Carrot can bring the weather forecast to Android users. iOS users will continue to enjoy features like adding a Carrot Weather widget to their lock screens, as well as Live Activity support in iOS 16.1. But regular updates add other features and bonuses for premium subscribers, such as: E.g. tide data or forecasts for up to five locations.”
“We tend to be skeptical of apps that describe themselves as ‘hilarious.’ We believe weather apps shouldn’t be funny. But after testing CARROT Weather, a 2021 Apple Design Award winner, we were sold,” says Cool Material. “Users can set the app’s ‘personality preference’. So if you prefer a buttoned-up weather experience, CARROT delivers. While the banter is fun, we appreciate the streamlined, clean design of this weather app. And best of all: The basic app is free. However, it is worth considering upgrading to the paid CARROT tier for more customization.”
“The local forecasts are often accurate and reliable. It even includes options to make the app look and behave similar to Dark Sky. But instead of dry weather displays, Carrot Weather’s updates and comments are often humorous and sarcastic, and the app features stylized art and animations that contrast with the often simple and utilitarian designs of other third-party weather apps,” writes Life Hacker.
2. The weather channel
According to Business Insider, you may recognize the name from TV: “The app is like an extension of this channel on your smartphone, with a wealth of quality content. Get hourly and extended forecasts, radar images, and even video clips and other content straight from cable TV. The app also includes sunrise and sunset times, air quality reports, tides and moon phases, and optional weather alerts. While much of the app is free, the Weather Channel app is ad-supported. If you prefer, you can subscribe to the premium service for ad-free content for $4.99 per month.”
“None of us will be able to bend the weather to our will like Sean Connery in 1998’s The Avengers or Thor in The Other Avengers. Instead, we rely on weather apps, like what The Weather Channel offers, to keep us informed of the vagaries of the weather. This superbly designed iPhone app has all the weather information you need and even works with the Apple Watch,” adds PCMag. “Your main screen shows the current temperature and conditions in a large, bright photo. The image is usually chosen to match your current location, but is often based on stock images. From here you can also see what conditions other Weather Channel users are reporting and when the next round of precipitation is likely.”
“The Weather Channel app is one of the most popular third-party weather apps for Android and iOS, and for good reason. In addition to weather information, you can also follow live coverage, view pollen/dust levels, check the current flu or COVID-19 infection rates for your neighborhood, and more,” writes Life Hacker.
3. Weather underground
According to Lifewire, there is one feature that makes this app unique: “Its smart forecasts are what sets it apart. Select multiple weather conditions like rain, wind, temperature and air pollution that you think are ideal for a specific outdoor task and this app will show you when is the best time to get outside and do it. This is the perfect app if you want to know when exactly you can do things like bike, jog, stargaze, walk, take outdoor photos, hike, fly kites, etc.”
“Weather Underground went through some big changes when IBM bought the company a while ago. It gets the basics right, including the current forecast, a weather radar, future forecast, and so on,” adds Android Authority. “The app enhances the experience by adding things like air quality readings, sunrise and sunset times, hurricane tracking, and weather updates. In addition, with many layers, the radar is quite customizable. The price is a lot higher than before and we understand if this price is too high for you, but the free version works the same with ads.”
“Weather Underground’s privacy policy is different from other weather apps—and many mobile apps. The app will tell you in advance that your data will be used for targeted advertising. The app makes it easy to opt out of sharing your information and to delete the data the app has about you. It also shows you how to manage your iPhone and Android app permissions. You can even request a copy of the data the app has about you through the “Data Rights” menu in Settings,” explains CNET.
4. NOAA weather radar
Cool Material describes this app’s HD radar and satellite overlays as “incredibly accurate, making it easy to spot rain, snow or other precipitation (and even cloud cover) in a beautiful real-time display.” The built-in rain map provides a detailed rain forecast for up to 24 hours, and if you’re too busy to check the maps you can also receive push notifications to keep you abreast of any notable weather alerts developing.”
“With a paid Clime subscription, you get one of the most comprehensive weather radars of any weather app on this list. While other radars can show temperature, rain, and snow, Clime’s radar shows you cloud cover, snow levels, and even active fires and hotspots,” says CNET.
“Many weather apps pull data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. So get straight to the point with the NOAA Weather Radar Live app. With it, you can check local forecasts and track weather patterns with interactive satellite maps,” points out PCMag.
5. FlowX
Make Use Of sets the scene: “You get a visual overview of weather conditions with details like rain, clouds, temperatures, pressure, air quality and more. You can easily zoom in and out to view an appropriate amount of detail as needed. Flowx also displays a graph of changes based on weather trends, helping you make plans for the coming days. In addition, you can place an informative weather widget on your home screen. And aside from being ad-free, it also claims to have a no-tracking policy. However, two paid subscriptions are available if you want to further enhance your experience.”
“Flowx is an Android weather app known for its high local forecast accuracy, even in the free version. With the app, you can view a wealth of meteorological data and over 20 different forecast models for up to seven-day weather forecasts,” writes Life Hacker. “The paid Flowx Pro adds even more features, like customizable weather maps, home and lock screen widgets, and up to 16-day forecasts. Flowx is only available for Android for now, but an iOS version is in development and should be a great option if it matches the features and performance of the Android version.”
“Flowx is an app full of information at a glance. While not a great option for daily planning, the Flowx really shines as a week-long forecast, allowing you to plan the perfect time for that weekend hike. Simple slide navigation makes storm tracking a fascinating experience. Flowx also downloads with location tracking disabled by default, so you’re safe there too. Unfortunately, Flowx is currently only available for Android and not iOS,” adds Popular Mechanics.
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