Modern technology has helped us achieve many great things. From setting foot on the moon to finding the cure for chronic diseases – cutting-edge technology has transformed every aspect of human life. However, none of these technological innovations come close to the rise of smartphones. Whether you want to calculate your taxes or find out directions to a new restaurant, your phone gives you the power to accomplish anything with a few simple clicks.
Also, smartphone apps have made it possible to have any information you need at your fingertips. From monitoring road conditions and traffic to predicting the daily and weekly weather – you’ll find an app for everything. Weather apps, in particular, come in handy when it comes to planning your day.
Inside the World of Weather Forecasting Apps
If you’re going out with a friend, you don’t have to wonder whether you should carry an umbrella or put on some sunscreen. You can just check the day’s weather and find out if it’s going to be gloomy and rainy or bright and sunny. Likewise, if you’re organizing a sporting event, you can rely on accurate weather data to plan things better.
Some apps can even tell you what the outdoor temperature really feels like. While your phone most likely has an inbuilt weather app, third-party weather apps offer advanced features and insights. Nevertheless, in recent times, popular third-party weather apps have come under the scanner for harvesting personal data. That’s why it has become important to choose a secure and reliable weather app.
Best Weather Apps for 2020
Here are our picks for the best weather apps available right now:
1. AccuWeather
When you think of popular weather apps, AccuWeather is one of the first names that’ll come to your mind. Developed by AccuWeather.com, it’s an easy-to-use app that offers precise hourly, daily, and extended weather forecasts. Apart from instant weather updates, it provides you with extensive data on cloud cover, solar radiation, air quality, etc.
AccuWeather also offers another great feature called MinuteCast. It’s a nifty clock-like tool that provides you with minute-by-minute precipitation to help you plan your day. While the free version includes ads, you get rid of the ads for a small additional fee. It’s available for both Android and iOS devices.
2. Weather Underground
If you’re looking for a secure and trustworthy weather app, Weather Underground is the right fit. Owned by IBM, it features a simple and intuitive interface with easily understandable weather forecasts. It also gives you detailed information on precipitation, humidity, visibility, and even flu outbreaks.
Apart from hourly and weekly weather forecasts, you also get reliable data on sunrise and sunset times. If you love venturing into the outdoors, you’ll find the Smart Forecast tool particularly useful. Just describe your preferred weather and location for an outing or a holiday and the app will tell you when you should plan your trip.
3. Carrot Weather
Would you like your weather forecasts to come with a daily dose of humor and sarcasm? Then Carrot Weather is just the app for you. It offers all the standard features you’d expect from a weather forecasting app including a simple interface and accurate predictions. However, what sets Carrot Weather apart is the fun, entertaining, and sarcastic remarks that accompany weather predictions. It might be just what you need to lift your spirits on a dark and gloomy day.
4. ClimaCell
Are you looking for a smart and reliable app that takes care of all your weather forecasting needs and provides insights on how the day’s weather can affect your life? ClimaCell fits the bill just right. It uses repurposed wireless networks to provide you with hyper-local weather predictions.
In addition to accuracy and precision, ClimaCell is known for its diverse array of data on wind speed, cloud cover, precipitation, humidity, and much more. The consumer app is available for both Android and iOS users. Also, it offers a broad spectrum of specialized weather forecasting solutions for businesses in various industries such as sports, aviation, healthcare, etc.
5. The Weather Channel
If you’re someone who enjoys the old-school style of watching weather forecasts on TV, The Weather Channel is going to be your favorite weather app. Apart from standard hourly and weekly predictions, The Weather Channel offers a wide variety of nifty video updates on expected weather conditions, wind speeds, precipitation levels, etc. It even lets you keep an eye on seasonal allergies as well as the number of COVID-19 cases in your neighborhood.
Have you used any of the aforementioned weather apps? Share your experience in the comments section below.