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Weather apps were a staple of the first iPhone in 2007, and their popularity hasn’t waned since. Forecast accuracy and options may have improved dramatically, but forecast results often vary widely from app to app.
Most weather services start with roughly the same data, because weather agencies tend to use networks of instruments to record their observations and share them freely. But there are differences in how each agency analyzes and models the data to create forecasts, and the chaotic nature and complexity of the weather system means that small changes can create big fluctuations.
A good weather app might not be able to brighten up the currently lackluster British summer, but it can help you prepare for the drizzle and occasional sunshine. Here are our picks for the five best weather apps.
Most accurate: UK Met Office
Founded in 1854, the Met Office is one of the world’s oldest national weather services, and its app is the UK’s most popular. Its supercomputers analyze 215 billion weather observations every day, at a speed of 14 quadrillion calculations per second. The resulting models are then fine-tuned by meteorologists to create forecasts. The process seems to work well, as the app was named most accurate in the World Meteorological Organization’s Weather App Awards. In addition to hourly and daily forecasts, the app features long-range forecasts for up to a month, and maps showing rainfall and cloud cover for the past six hours and the next five days.
Best for simplicity: BBC Weather
The BBC Weather app used forecasts from the UK Met Office until 2018, but is now provided by DTN (formerly MeteoGroup). Its output is based on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRWF) model as well as their own in-house model. Simple and basic, the app features a 14-day hourly forecast including temperature, wind, humidity, and visibility. The BBC recently revealed that they choose the most pessimistic outlook when choosing a symbol to represent the day’s forecast, a good choice for those looking for a pleasant surprise.
On July 11th, unexpected heavy rain hit Warsaw, Poland. Photo: Xinhua/Rex/Shutterstock
Best for extensive data: AccuWeather
US-based AccuWeather claims to have the most data in its forecasts, incorporating over 190 climate models, including those from the Meteorological Agency. The company’s app provides minute-by-minute forecasts and “feels like” temperatures that factor in sun intensity, wind, humidity, cloud cover, and elevation. It also offers a detailed air quality index and a range of other variables, including dew point temperature, indoor humidity, and cloud ceiling height. To use many features, such as hourly 10-day forecasts and longer-term 90-day forecasts, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid version.
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Best choice: FlowX
For weather enthusiasts, FlowX lets you compare forecasts from different weather agencies, including ECMRWF, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Canadian Meteorological Centre. Select a forecast and it will be displayed on a map that you can scroll through in time. Choose whether to see precipitation, cloud cover, temperature, and even wave height and surface ozone levels, allowing you to make your own informed decision about the chances of rain or shine.
Best for aesthetics: Yr
The lesser known Yr app is a joint venture between the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, the latter of which was founded in 1866 and is almost as old as the Meteorological Office. It’s one of the easiest to use apps to scroll through a photorealistic sky to see what the sky will look like for the next 48 hours. It’s also perfect for off-grid adventures, as it provides accurate forecasts based on your coordinates, rather than searching for the weather in your nearest area like most apps do.
Source: www.theguardian.com
