Best Weather Apps for 2024 (2024)

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See at The Weather Channel

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (5)

A weather and news app

The Weather Channel

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See at Carrot Weather

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (7)

Weather with personality

Carrot Weather

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See at WeatherBug

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (8)

For outdoorsy folks

WeatherBug

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See at Weather Underground

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (9)

Privacy-focused weather app

Weather Underground

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See at Clime

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (10)

In-depth weather maps

Clime: NOAA Weather Radar

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The "I wish I'd checked the weather" situation can be frustrating, especially when the sun is shining bright, your hair is done and you're wearing your favorite outfit, only for the rain to start pouring minutes later. Mobile weather apps provide easy access to forecasts whenever you need them. Many apps tell you the high temperature for the day, and they give you an hour-by-hour breakdown of temperatures, precipitation levels, air quality and more to keep you informed and safe.

These apps can be helpful, but many also collect and distribute your data, which could pose a danger to your privacy. That's why it's important to understand their privacy policies, too. If you use an iPhone or Android, your device already comes with a built-in weather app, but if you're not happy with those apps, or they aren't working properly, there are other apps to try.

Here's a roundup of our favorite weather apps.

Read more: Best Meditation Apps for Reducing Stress

See at The Weather Channel

A weather and news app

The Weather Channel

Calling The Weather Channel app a weather app feels like a disservice. You can watch videos of news stories from The Weather Channel in the app. Most of the stories are related to the weather, the environment and wildlife, but you'll also see health- and lifestyle-related stories.

The app gives you standard weather information, like hourly temperatures, rain chances throughout the day, live weather radar and any severe weather alerts in your area.

The downside? The free version of the app has a lot of ads, and they can be distracting. I ran into four ads when scrolling down the main page of the app, and then I ran into an entire sponsored content section near the bottom of the page. You won't run into these ads if you subscribe to the paid version of the app.

According to The Weather Channel's privacy policy, the app may collect, use and share your data. You can also request to delete data related to your preferences. Beware, the privacy policy does say The Weather Channel "cannot delete data directly associated with your account without deleting your account."

You can download The Weather Channel app for free from the App Store and the Google Play store. You can subscribe to the ad-free version of the app for $2 a month ($10 a year if paid upfront) or you can subscribe to the Premium Pro version of the app for $5 a month ($30 a year).

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (11)

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See at AccuWeather

More detailed hourly forecasts

AccuWeather

AccuWeather offers users what it calls MinuteCast, which breaks down forecasts by the minute. This forecast shows you a detailed outlook for the next four hours, including when the rain will start and stop and what the temperature will be at specific times. This is helpful if you are about to leave a building and want to wait for the rain to stop. No more dashing through the pouring rain just for it to let up as soon as you get inside.

The app also gives you standard weather information, like daily temperatures, weather conditions and future coasts. There is also a section on the homepage dedicated to allergies, and the app displays severe weather alerts across the top of the homepage for easy access.

The free version of the app offers a lot, and the paid version offers more, like expert analysis of weather events. But AccuWeather also hides arguably essential information behind the paid version, such as insight into what you should do if you find yourself facing dangerous weather. I understand you have to differentiate between the free and paid versions of the app, but withholding potentially lifesaving information like that behind a paywall feels gross.

AccuWeather writes in its privacy policy that it may collect personal, identifiable information, cookies and even information about other devices that your device is near. AccuWeather might also share your information with other companies, like Amazon Publishing Services, Facebook and Microsoft Azure.

You can download the free version of the AccuWeather app from the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the ad-free version of the app for $1 a month ($9 a year if paid upfront) or the premium version of the app for $2 a month ($20 a year).

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See at Carrot Weather

Weather with personality

Carrot Weather

Carrot Weather gives you the weather with a little personality. Here's the twist: You can pick what kind of personality you want the app to have, from Professional, which disables banter, to Overkill -- expect some heavy profanity. You can even select which politics the app personifies, from apolitical to anarchist.

This app gives you access to standard weather information like daily temperatures, weather conditions and future forecasts. It's also easy to find other environmental information, like the current phase of the moon and the UV index, on the app's homepage compared to some other weather apps.

While this app is fun and gives you a good breakdown of the weather, it doesn't offer a radar with the free version of the app.

On the surface, Carrot Weather's privacy policy seems straightforward. It says the app only collects information that is "absolutely necessary" for the service to work. Later it says your information might be shared with other services, like AccuWeather, which might share your information with companies like Facebook.

You can download the free version of Carrot Weather from the App Store and the Google Play Store. You can also subscribe to the premium version of the app for $20 a year.

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See at WeatherBug

For outdoorsy folks

WeatherBug

The WeatherBug app is a good weather app for people who spend a lot of time outside hiking, bike riding or just enjoying the outdoors. One section on the app's homepage is called Outdoor Sports Index. This section shows you, on a scale of 1 to 10, how favorable the weather is for outdoor activities throughout the day. If a day has a score of 1 to 2, you're in the clear for a great day outside, but if a day has a score of 9 or 10 the app recommends canceling outdoor plans.

The app gives you the standard weather information, like daily temperatures, weather conditions and humidity. It also shows you information like where the closest lightning strike was to your location in the last 30 minutes.

The ads in the free version of WeatherBug can feel overwhelming at times. There is an ad banner at the bottom of your screen at all times in addition to any ads you might see while scrolling down any given page. It can be even more confusing because the app has videos and articles throughout its homepage, but these stories are placed near ads, making it easy to accidentally tap into an advertisement.

WeatherBug's privacy policy says it collects personal information, like your name and address, and it might ask for other information like your gender and even your interests, which raises some concerns. I find it hard to imagine a scenario where a weather app would need to know my personal interests. You can request your data be deleted, and WeatherBug says that it complied to some degree with all these requests in 2022.

You can download the free version of WeatherBug in the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the app for $1 a month, or $10 a year.

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (17)

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See at Weather Underground

Privacy-focused weather app

Weather Underground

Weather Underground's privacy policy is unlike other weather apps -- and many mobile apps. The app lets you know upfront that it will use your data for targeted ads. The app makes it easy to opt out of sharing your information and to delete the data the app has on you. It also shows you how to manage your iPhone and Android app permissions. You can even request a copy of the data the app has on you from the Data Rights menu in Settings.

Weather Underground gives you standard weather information, like the current temperature, weather conditions and a live radar. You can also see temperatures and conditions from the last 24 hours if you're a hobby meteorologist. The app also gives you a glossary if you run into a weather term you're unfamiliar with.

The catch? Some Reddit users have said the app has been in decline for a few years. These users said the app has gotten slower and some features have been discarded altogether. For example, Weather Underground announced in 2018 the end of its API service. While new users might not notice a slower app or lack of features, it's good to keep in mind just in case other features start disappearing. Weather Underground did not respond to a request for comment on these points.

You can download the free version of Weather Underground in the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the app for $4 a month or $20 a year.

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See at Clime

In-depth weather maps

Clime: NOAA Weather Radar

With a Clime paid subscription, you get one of the most comprehensive weather radars out of all the weather apps on this list. While other radars might show the temperature, rain and snow, Clime's radar will show you cloud coverage, snow depths and even active fire and hotspots.

The app gives you standard weather information, like current temperatures, chances of rain and feels-like temperatures. The app is focused on its radar; that's the first thing you see when you open the app.

The app's focus on its radar might be confusing to some. Many other weather apps show current weather information at the top of the homepage, but that information is relegated to the bottom of Clime's homepage.

Clime's privacy policy says it collects personal information like your real name, nicknames and how you interact with certain websites. You can request the service to delete your information, too. The policy also says if you stop using the service, it might retain your information for three years or longer, but the service doesn't always know if you aren't using its service anymore. So if you stop using the app, make sure you email the service and let them know you aren't using it anymore so they don't hold your information longer than they need to.

You can download the free version of Clime from the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the app for $10 a month or $30 a year.

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Best Weather Apps for 2024 (22)

For more, check out the best password managers, antivirus software and web-hosting services of 2024.

Best Weather Apps for 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the most accurate weather app in 2024? ›

Best weather apps on Android in 2024
  • AccuWeather.
  • The Weather Channel.
  • Windy.
  • Carrot Weather.
  • 1Weather.
Apr 30, 2024

What is the most effective weather app? ›

The best weather apps you can download today
  1. Carrot Weather (Android, iOS: Free) ...
  2. The Weather Channel (Android; iOS: Free) ...
  3. Emergency: Alerts (Android; iOS) ...
  4. Clime: NOAA Weather Radar Live (Android, iOS: Free) ...
  5. RadarScope (Android, iOS: $9.99) ...
  6. 1Weather (Android, iOS: Free) ...
  7. WeatherBug (Android, iOS: Free)
Jul 8, 2024

Is the AccuWeather or weather app better? ›

What is the best weather app? The best weather app is AccuWeather. But for you, it might depend on how you plan to use a weather app. For example, while Carrot Humor brings some fun to your daily weather, other users may prefer the more professional tone of The Weather Channel app.

What is the best long range weather forecast website? ›

AccuWeather gathers the best and most comprehensive weather data to deliver forecasts with Superior Accuracy. Forecasts are pinpointed for every location on Earth and extend further ahead than any other source.

Where do you get the most accurate weather forecast? ›

The Met Office weather app gives you our accurate, world-leading global weather forecasts, from 1 hour to 7 days ahead.

What weather app do storm chasers use? ›

RadarScope is an app for your phone that brings live NWS radar to the palm of your hands. Most radar apps process the data on a server before pushing a jpeg or gif image to their app. RadarScope uses raw data processed on your phone. This means you see the data almost as fast as NWS forecasters see the data.

Is AccuWeather actually accurate? ›

The study analyzed 120 million forecasts from over 1,000 locations globally over a four-year period ending December 31, 2018, and AccuWeather was found to be the clear winner as the most accurate provider of weather forecasts in temperature, precipitation and wind speed– a clean sweep of all categories -- for a 1-5 ...

What apps do pilots use for weather? ›

ForeFlight/Garmin Pilot/FltPlan Go/WingX/Stratus Insight/FlyQ. Whichever of the big aviation apps you use, they are hard to beat for weather briefings.

Is the weather app 100% accurate? ›

Meteorologists are never going to be 100% accurate whether it is through your phone app or through NWS. So check the forecast, but be prepared for anything.

How reliable is the weather on your phone? ›

Weather apps are generally accurate for simple forecasts over the next few days; their accuracy can decrease when hazardous weather is expected.

Is the weather app on iPhone accurate? ›

Algorithms don't have that kind of discernment yet, which in turn makes app predictions like precipitation and storms somewhat imprecise. Algorithms also can't compete with the human experience of living somewhere and knowing how weather behaves in that particular area.

What is the best weather website? ›

Most Visited Weather Websites
RankWebsiteCategory
1weather.comScience and Education > Weather
2accuweather.comScience and Education > Weather
3gismeteo.ruScience and Education > Weather
4weather.yahoo.co.jpScience and Education > Weather
46 more rows

Who has the most reliable weather forecast? ›

Powered by proprietary GRAF technology (Global High-Resolution Atmospheric Forecasting), The Weather Company is The World's Most Accurate Forecaster1 and a trusted weather partner for people and businesses everywhere.

What is the best long range weather app? ›

AccuWeather is a beast, and is often a Top 10 most downloaded weather app in app stores. It's perfect for anyone planning to travel soon, work outside, go running, have a picnic, etc. There are two reasons for this: it shows a long, 15-day forecast plus a 4-hour, minute-by-minute forecast.

Which weather site is most accurate? ›

Top 15 Weather Websites with Accurate Forecast
  • BBC Weather.
  • Met Office.
  • Weather Spark.
  • AccuWeather.
  • Weather.com.
  • TimeandDate.
  • Windy.
  • WeatherBug.
Mar 27, 2024

Which weather forecast is the most accurate? ›

IBM's The Weather Company Continues to Be the World's Most Accurate Forecaster Overall, Despite Growing Competition and Amid Weather's Increased Impact. - The Weather Company was over 3 times more likely to be the most accurate forecaster than other weather providers studied.

What is the most accurate weather forecast model? ›

NWP is widely recognized as the most accurate method for weather forecasting, utilizing complex mathematical algorithms to simulate atmospheric behavior.

What weather app does NASA use? ›

NASA Space Weather Media Viewer

The Space Weather Media Viewer features near-real-time imagery from a wide variety of NASA missions, as well as video interviews with prominent scientists about the causes of space phenomena and NASA-created visualizations.

Which weather radar is the most accurate? ›

The WSR-88D is one of the most powerful and advanced Weather Surveillance Doppler Radar in the world. Since first being built and tested in 1988, it has been installed and used operationally at over 160 locations across the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii.

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