You have plenty of options when it comes to weather apps, so it may be hard to choose. Here are my recommendations based on your personality. Add yours to the list in the comments!
For the Instant-Gratification Junkies: Dark Sky
Dark Sky describes itself as a “hyperlocal” weather app, specializing in micro-forecasts for the two-foot square that surrounds you and your phone. I was walking around on a warm afternoon in Florida when I downloaded it. The forecast predicted a light downpour starting in 4 minutes and lasting for 7 minutes followed by clear skies. Sure enough, I had just enough time to duck under an overhang before the rain came down. And it lasted almost exactly 7 minutes. Not all the predictions have been that accurate, but it’s a beautiful, simple, useable resource that has become my favorite weather app.
For the Artistic Types: Yahoo Weather
When you open the beautiful Yahoo Weather app, you’re greeted with an exquisite Flickr photo of the area around you. You have the regular features you need in a weather app… daily forecasts, weekly forecasts and the occasional ad.
For the Dignified Professional Who Enjoys an Occasional F-Bomb: What The Forecast?!!
My mama would never let me read these forecasts aloud, but the NSFW honest descriptions will make you laugh every time. They won a Webby Award this year because everyone loves them. Some of the forecasts are just funny, and some drop the f-bomb. You can set the profanity filter to keep it clean, but it’s funnier when it’s naughty.
For the Sarcastic Smart-Aleck: Carrot Weather
I don’t know… I’ve always thought all the Carrot apps were just too mean to enjoy. The Carrot Weather app is more snarky and funny than mean, but their to-do list calls you a “lazy human,” and don’t even get me started on the health app, Carrot Fit, which calls itself “your judgemental fitness overlord.”
For The Shop-Local Enthusiast: Weather Underground
If you favor small businesses and farmers markets over big box stores, you’ll appreciate the underground community that powers these forecasts. From their About Us page:
The beating heart of our brand is the generous and passionate community of weather enthusiasts that share weather data and content across our products. With 250,000+ of our members sending real-time data from their own personal weather stations, they provide us with the extensive data that makes our forecasts and products so unique.
For the Thrill Seekers: MyRadar
If you’re a storm tracker, you’ll love this app. It gives you NOAA alerts, storm tracking and radar views anywhere you need to keep an eye in the skies.
For the Animal Lover: Weather Puppy
Say it with me… awwww! Weather Puppy gives you your daily forecast with a touch of adorable. Animal non-profits and charities have partnered with these founders to provide an app that features puppies, and, of course, they change with the weather and time. You can even upload pics of your own pooch.
I like Dark Sky but Today Weather is still my favorite!
There is also Weather Kitty for the feline lovers of the world. I’ve been saying “awwww” to that one for a couple of years now :).
I like Weather Bub. I love that cat. So cute.
Beth, you have once again brought me something I didn’t even know I needed. I have been having waaaay too much fun sending screen shots of What the Forecast to the contacts in my phone.