(Credit: René Ramos; Getty Images/blackCAT)
With wild weather events happening all over the country, it's smart to add a weather-monitoring app to your emergency toolkit. While you can keep an eye on the basics of the local forecasts using the capable weather apps included with the latest Android and iOS updates, the apps on this list are designed for people who want comprehensive weather data or people who are looking for ways to customize weather notifications.
First, a note about the predictive quality of these apps: You'll likely see the same forecasts across multiple apps because most weather apps get a lot of their data from the National Weather Service. Some also pull their predictions from AccuWeather or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Weather Channel and a few other companies use proprietary predictive models.
Second, to determine the accuracy of an app's predictive weather model, we'd have to perform exhaustive tests across the globe, which is well beyond our coverage scope. That said, we assume that if a company has invested the time and effort to create its predictive models for something as complex as weather, then we should defer to them on the subject.
The apps included on this list are ideal because they look great and are easy to use. We also picked those we thought offered something unique. Many of these apps are free, so try them out until you find the sunniest one for you.
Best Free Weather Apps
AccuWeather
AccuWeather has comprehensive planning features that use weather data to help you manage allergies, safely drive, or boost productivity. We like that it includes a news section for watching videos about upcoming weather events.
Platforms: Android, iOS
The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel's app is slick and capable. It provides hourly and daily forecasts and the information you need to stay safe from raging hurricanes and deadly viruses. The robust video section makes this app particularly useful.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Weather Underground
Weather Underground is no longer the darling among weather geeks; it's hard to stay radical when you're owned by IBM's The Weather Company. That said, the app has plenty to offer, with smart forecasts, detailed storm tracking, air quality and temperature readings, quick links to more content on the Wunderground website, and a respectful privacy policy.
Platforms: Android, iOS
What The Forecast
What the Forecast is a little app with a big personality, which is why there's a helpful option to modify the weather app's profanity settings. Get a dose of snark with your daily weather forecast! As a bonus, if you ever lose your internet connection, the app tells you the weather in hell, which, in the long run, is probably the most useful information for most of us anyway.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Yahoo Weather
Yahoo Weather is a beautifully designed app that leverages other weather apps' best features—and improves on them. Responsive background images reflect the time of day and weather in your area. If you don't like Weather Underground, give this app a try.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Best Paid Weather Apps
Carrot Weather
Carrot Weather used to be a nice substitute for the excellent Dark Sky, which was swallowed up by Apple in 2022. Currently, the app's best features are locked behind a paid subscription. Notable features include data tracking to determine the optimal weather for specific medical conditions, such as allergies, arthritis, migraines, and other ailments.
Platforms: Android, iOS
WeatherBug
WeatherBug tends to send a lot of notifications by default, and the free version is fairly ad-heavy, so we recommend the paid version. The app's lightning-detection feature is uncommon and useful.
Platforms: Android, iOS
FlowX
Once an Android-only app, Flowx now also offers an iOS version. The app pulls from a variety of local and global sources to give users the most accurate forecasts possible. If you pay for a premium tier, you can customize graphs, maps, and widgets however you like.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Best Weather Apps for Local Forecasts
MyRadar Weather Radar
Whether it's on your phone or beamed straight to your Apple Watch, MyRadar Weather Radar quickly and accurately keeps you informed about local forecasts. Dive deeper into the app to watch video content, learn aviation data, and follow wind patterns.
Platforms: Android, iOS
NOAA Weather Radar Live
Many weather apps draw data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. So, just cut to the chase with the NOAA Weather Radar Live app. With it, you can check local forecasts and track weather patterns using interactive satellite maps.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Best Weather Apps for Air Quality Information
Plume Labs: Air Quality App
Air quality is a piece of weather data that greatly impacts personal health. Even if you aren't directly caught in a wildfire, smoke-filled air can still make it dangerous to go outside. This air quality app from Plume Labs offers real-time, local pollution information, a sadly vital service in our current climate.
Platforms: Android, iOS
Weather Hi-Def Radar
From severe weather overlays to air quality monitoring to tracking fires and lightning strikes, Weather Hi-Def Radar gives you big-picture information on fascinating weather phenomena all over the world. GPS tracking and detailed data also teach you about what’s going on in your backyard.
Platforms: Android, iOS
