Over the weekend, Ten million Americans in 11 states were under winter weather warnings. Yes, it’s already that time.
If you find weather “forecasts” (intentionally put in quotation marks) useless, here’s what you need to know. Weather apps pull information from a variety of data networks, and the quality of those networks varies, as reported by organizations like ForecastAdvisor. Some of these vary by region of the United States, so we’ll recommend the best one for you depending on where you live.
weather changes
If you search online for weather apps, you’ll see “Global Weather Corporation” recommended as one of the most accurate forecasts, especially on the West Coast. That’s true, but GWC is no longer available to ordinary people like us. These services are bundled with car and data companies and can only be accessed by that company.
weather forecast channel
Whose Really Are you surprised that this long-term player (also known as weather.com) is still at the top when it comes to accuracy? Several apps get their information from Weather Channel data, so there are several other apps besides The Weather Channel app. There are options.
Weather Underground is known for its hyperlocal weather data and unique network of personal weather stations. You can also check out Storm Radar and the Google Weather app, which pulls data from The Weather Channel.
Perfect for: The South and Midwest, including snowstorm-prone states such as the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Vermont.
Microsoft Start Weather
Is Microsoft the master of weather? Microsoft Start has its own weather app called the most accurate global forecast provider. This study was commissioned by Microsoft, so take it with a grain of salt. The secret is a combination of getting accurate data and harnessing the power of Microsoft AI to get the best predictions. Use it here or download the Start app.
Perfect for: East Coast states, and for snowbirds, Hawaii.
Weather.gov
I have to be honest. Weather.gov, aka the National Weather Service, isn’t pretty. But this ugly duckling is reliable and pulls information from many sources to provide an excellent weather map of the United States. If you don’t need a smooth interface, we recommend taking a closer look at the predictive maps and radar results.
Customize your results by entering your postal code and saving that profile to always see local data. A good option if you don’t want to download an app.
Perfect for: Ungainly, but suitable for any location.
accuweather
AccuWeather’s app lets you analyze weather data the way you want. Winner of the Best User Interface Award from the World Meteorological Organization. Plus, experiment with his RealFeel temperature, which takes wind chill into account and shows you how cold your kids and pets will feel. There is also a 2-hour MinuteCast forecast. Cons: This app has a little too many ads.
Perfect for: Midwestern states.