[MDM]

I also found that these home weather stations, usually electronically connect some network that shows up in an app.

I found a couple of apps rely on a network of local home weather stations for reports.

The “fly in the ointment” as they say, is a lack of standardization. The reporters foot the bill for their own home stations. There are many brands and variable accuracy between them. Installation location matters too.

How do I know this? I had an app that consistently reported a local temp that was way apart from from even what I was seeing on TV. It became obvious that there was a problem with the particular home weather station. I sent an email to the developer. No response. What I expected.

Radar reports are another ball game.

So I do what I always do. Look at my app for current and forecast conditions, my cheapie temp guage, and a look at the sky and set off.

Wundermap? WunderMap® | Interactive Weather Map and Radar | Weather Underground

 

[jrselmes]

As a keen cyclist and professional photographer, I swear by Ventusky. I too was a Wunderground user but it had become crappy.

I think I paid the price of a cup of coffee for Ventusky. Soooo worth it. It uses 18 weather prediction models to choose from but has an auto mode that chooses the best one for where you are. It is incredibly accurate.

As a cyclist, I need good wind and precipitation information. The "Feels Like" temp is a good guide too (although the raw temp and wind speed gives you an idea too!) For open water swimmers surfers, etc, there is a load of data too; sea temp, current, wind & swell wave height and period.

I have had rides organised that were called off due to weather but I adjusted the timing based on the app and got back, missing any precipitation or going after the winds had died down. People often comment that the rides that I plan made the most of the weather.

If you are decerning enough to look at the radar and weather fronts you will gain a lot from this app but it is also beautifully designed so that a quick glance from a novice weatherperson can get an idea of what's coming up. It covers the world so UK and Europe too!

 

[Touch0Gray]

Just found this discussion and I am going to second the vote for Ventusky. They are more accurate than I ever imagined possible, particularly on a "micro" level.

 

[ITALIAN MISTRESS No.2]

best US weather app out there, straight from the source NWS

Weather.gov on Your Mobile Phone

www.weather.gov

international

Weather West Houston Medical Center Heliport - meteoblue

Today's and tonight's professional weather forecast for West Houston Medical Center Heliport. Precipitation radar, HD satellite images, and current weather warnings, hourly temperature, chance of rain, and sunshine hours.

www.meteoblue.com

It doesn’t get any easier, you just get faster. – Greg Lemond

 

[Finx]

I mostly use Weather Underground and WunderMap. It's crowd sourced from local microweather stations, which gives excellent temperature and precipitation detail. WunderMap combines the crowdsourced wind/rain detail, with standard radar and satellite imagery.

 

[MDM]

Just got Ventusky. There's no forecast discussion. Not impressed.

 

[JanixRubi]

It can definitely be a challenge to get accurate information when there are so many variables at play.

 

[shrubs]

NOAA aviation products are helpful. NOAA weather is pretty much "the bottom line" NOAA covers a broad area usually central to an airfield.-but useful for an area in general. I am not in need of weather exactly at the spot I am in, just pretty close to the route.

Local Forecasts

IMO weather can be sensationalized at times-that discussion is not for now.

 

[Xydadx3]

I go to the weather channel's weather.com on my desktop to check the hour-by-hour temperature and wind speed/direction

the weather channel’s app shows an arrow in the direction the wind is blowing in their hourly forecast. This has been by far the most valuable weather feature for me. The direction and wind speed are generally accurate enough with the hourly forecast going out 48hrs. The daily forecast is hit or miss so I use it mostly for temperature expectations then plan routes according to the wind within 48hrs of a ride. The app’s loading speed and ‘future radar’ are trash though.

Yesterday I planned myself a route to meet my wife and kids at my sons soccer game. Most of it was with the wind at my back. I’ve never done so many miles at around 30mph and only 250w 😂

 

[shrubs]

A hobbyist point of view.

Mike. I have been exposed to hyperlocal forecasts via gps location. We can't seem to get around developers simply using a regional forecast but changing the format to show the regional forecast to be used as the one for exact location.

I put this to the test once, and found this out. Long story. I also know that many apps use a personal home weather station network which are hit or miss depending on the diligence of the station installer quality of equipment, upkeep of the equipment, and software quality to develop forecasts.

 

[velodog]

Look out the window, step out the door, look at the sky, horizons, flags and trees. Feel the wind, humidity and temperature on your skin. If it's overcast, can you smell or feel rain coming? Move from sun to shade, feel a difference?

That's quite a lot of information gotten in short order, and if it changes, pretty much the worst that will happen is you'll get wet or cold or sweaty, or some combination of those.

All good, enjoy life, tell stories.

 

[Finx]

Look out the window, step out the door, look at the sky, horizons, flags and trees. Feel the wind, humidity and temperature on your skin. If it's overcast, can you smell or feel rain coming? Move from sun to shade, feel a difference?

That's quite a lot of information gotten in short order, and if it changes, pretty much the worst that will happen is you'll get wet or cold or sweaty, or some combination of those.

All good, enjoy life, tell stories.

This doesn't work where I live. Mountains tend to make their own weather, and it's generally impossible to know how hard/which way the wind will be blowing around the next turn. In this environment, the crowd sourced weather apps like Weather Underground work the best.

 

[DaveG]

I use Weather.com which is The Weather Channel's app. I find it more accurate than Accuweather.com .

Pay versions are no better, they just have more features or don't have ads - usually just the latter.

I used the paid version of AccuWeather for a while. In addition to no ads the radar update rate is faster; less delay in updates and more frames. It wasn’t worth the extra money. I do like that Accuweather can send alerts to my Garmin

 

[Retro Grouch]

If you enjoy data-driven weather, this website is the bee's knees:
earth :: a global map of wind, weather, and ocean conditions