Think your deleted text messages are gone for good? One husband found out the hard way and is now suing Apple for over $6 million. Also, rough times ahead for discount travel sites, the best weather apps to keep you updated, and apps that make grocery list-making a breeze.
Trust winter forecasts again with the top 4 most accurate weather apps
Over the weekend, 10 million Americans across 11 states were under winter weather alerts. Yep, it’s that time of year already.
If your weather “forecasts” — quotation marks intentional — feel useless, I’ve got something you should know: Weather apps pull information from different data networks, and those networks vary in quality as reported by orgs like ForecastAdvisor. Some even vary by region of the U.S. I’ll show you the best to use depending on where you live.
A change in the weather
If you do any searching online about weather apps, you’ll still see “Global Weather Corporation” recommended as one of the most accurate weather forecasts, especially for the West Coast. It’s true, but GWC isn’t available to everyday folks like us anymore. Those services have been bundled off to automotive and data companies so only they can access them — womp womp.
The Weather Channel
Who’s really surprised this long-term player — also known as weather.com — is still at the top of the game when it comes to accuracy? Several apps pull their info from Weather Channel data, so you’ve got some choices other than The Weather Channel app.
Weather Underground is known for its hyper-local weather data and unique network of personal weather stations. You can also check out Storm Radar or the Google Weather app, which pulls data from The Weather Channel.
Best for: The South and Midwest, including in snowstorm-prone states like the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Vermont.
Weather in Microsoft Start
Microsoft, a weather guru? Microsoft Start has a proprietary weather app named the most accurate global forecast provider. Microsoft commissioned the study, so take it with a grain of salt. The trick is a mix of pulling accurate data and using Microsoft AI powers to get the best predictions. Use it here or download the Start app.
Best for: East Coast states and, for you snowbirds, Hawaii.
Weather.gov
Use this site to find the best place to stargaze near you
Astronomers have only begun to understand what lies in the galaxy beyond our planet. Billions of stars, asteroids and planets hang above our heads every night. Tap or click here for an app to help see which constellations and planets are out tonight.
Weather apps pro meteorologists use
Do you want to keep track of the weather with apps the pros use?
Below are the best weather apps you’ll find on the market. These accurate and easy-to-use industry favorites make planning for tomorrow incredibly easy. Camping trips, vacations and even just your outfit for work the next day may all benefit from a bit of foresight.
The 5 best weather apps for iPhone and Android
While you can look out the window, it would be nice to prepare for your day based on the weather. Will you need a sweater? Should you bring an umbrella to work? What if you’re going on a trip? It would be nice to know what you’re walking into. Tap or click here for five smart travel tips to keep you safe.
Best weather apps for your phone
June has just begun, and the U.S. is already experiencing wild weather. Here are some top apps to help you stay prepared.
Cool trick to get your iPhone to warn you right before it rains
There are plenty of weather apps available with varying degrees of functionality. Most of them will give you basic information like the temperature, humidity and the forecast for the next few days.
But what if you want to receive alerts when it’s about to rain? Well, if you have been looking for an app just like that, you don’t have to search very far. You already have one on your Apple device. A little-known update in the latest version of iOS 15 is there to help.
4 digital weather tools and 1 one warning you absolutely need to know about
Talking about the weather is always a great way to break the ice with strangers. There’s always something to say about heat, humidity, snow, rain and more.
So it’s no wonder that weather tools make for popular websites or downloadable apps. If a storm is coming or the summer heat is rising, it’s handy to glance down at your phone to see how the weather progresses hour by hour.
5 best Android weather apps to replace Dark Sky
When you have a great weather app, you want to keep it around as long as possible. Unfortunately, sometimes the apps leave you instead, as is the case with Dark Sky right now.
Dark Sky isn’t leaving everyone, just Android users. Apple bought the fan favorite, and it’s set to disappear from Android devices for good come August. You can mourn it leaving (or, really, just no longer working) your phone as long as necessary. But eventually, you’ll need a new weather app. Click or tap here for some starting options.
The most accurate weather information for your exact location
When it comes to weather, we trust our phones more than the guy on TV. Many apps are out there that provide weather information, but there’s a big problem with most of them. Traditional weather apps run forecasts by zip code or from national weather centers, which means they don’t cover where you’re actually standing. How often does your phone cheerfully say it’s a bright, sunny day while thunder is rocking the house?