If you like traveling to new places with new climates and also enjoy outdoorsy activities, you need to have a set of weather apps for efficient planning. Whether you want to check the weather or make plans, these apps will fit all your needs.
- 1. For Long-Term Predictions - AccuWeather
- 2. For Last-Minute Weather Alerts - WeatherBug
- 3. For Tracking Weather in the Mountains - OpenSnow
- 4. For Detailed Satellite Views - RadarScope
- 5. For Winter Sports Enthusiasts - Snow-Forecast
- 6. For Tornado and Storm Alerts - Storm Radar
- 7. For Tracking Ocean Tides - Tides Near Me
- 8. For Big Disaster Awareness - Emergency: Severe Weather
1. For Long-Term Predictions – AccuWeather
Price: Free with premium options
AccuWeather is my top choice for detailed long-term weather forecasts. You can use it for planning trips, outdoor work, or daily activities. It offers a 15-day forecast and a four-hour, minute-by-minute update. This app is one of the first I install on a new phone, as it clearly shows rain, snow, and other weather conditions before heading out. The radar feature, which displays weather patterns up to two hours into the future, is incredibly useful.
The primary screen provides essential info at a glance, and the bottom menu gives quick access to radar, hourly, and daily forecasts. AccuWeather also includes sunrise and sunset times, allergy risk levels, and trending weather news. If the detailed information feels overwhelming, you can customize the interface to show only what you need.
While some people enjoy all the extra details, others may get overwhelmed by the amount of information this app provides. If you like simple apps, AccuWeather may not be the best choice for you.
2. For Last-Minute Weather Alerts – WeatherBug
Price: Free with premium options
If you need to track a developing weather situation, WeatherBug is a reliable choice. This free app offers Doppler radar for North America and enhanced hurricane forecasts via an improved tracker.
WeatherBug also features Spark lightning alerts, which use GPS data to notify you of nearby lightning strikes. Additionally, the app provides air quality information and pollen count data alongside standard weather forecasts.
WeatherBug pulls data from weather services, satellites, and tracking stations to deliver hyperlocal real-time conditions, including current, hourly, and 10-day forecasts. This versatility and comprehensive data make it ideal for last-minute weather alerts and detailed forecasts.
3. For Tracking Weather in the Mountains – OpenSnow
Price: Free with premium option
For mountain enthusiasts, OpenSnow (ex-OpenSummit) is a must-have app. It offers precise weather forecasts for over 1,000 U.S. locations, including all of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks. I use it when planning hikes, as it gives me detailed weather information, such as precipitation, lightning risk, temperature, and wind conditions for today and tomorrow.
OpenSnow stands out with unique features, like the ability to connect to Instagram, allowing you to check out recent photos from each location. This can give you a real-time sense of current conditions and scenery. Additionally, the app includes safety tips on the best hiking practices and nutrition, adding extra value for outdoor adventurers.
Though the app currently supports only U.S. locations, plans are underway to expand its coverage internationally. While the basic version is free for both Android and iOS users, upgrading to OpenSnow All-Access unlocks premium features, like five-day hourly forecasts and advanced map layers.
4. For Detailed Satellite Views – RadarScope
Price: $9.99 to download, then paid tiers
For weather enthusiasts who crave detailed satellite imagery, I recommend trying the RadarScope app. Unlike typical weather apps, RadarScope provides NEXRAD Level 3 and Super-Resolution radar data, allowing you to track severe weather phenomena, such as tornadoes, thunderstorms, flash floods, and marine warnings, with unmatched precision. It pulls data directly from the U.S. National Weather Service, ensuring accuracy and reliability.
RadarScope stands out by rendering native radar data in its original radial format, offering significantly more detail. This feature makes it a favorite among serious weather watchers who need high-resolution, real-time views.
The first paid tier includes real-time animated lightning data and up to 30 frames of radar data. The second expands this to 50-frame loops, SPC outlooks, special weather statements, and hail-size information, among other advanced features.
5. For Winter Sports Enthusiasts – Snow-Forecast
Price: Free with premium options
Snow-Forecast is a must-have app for winter sports enthusiasts who want to monitor mountain-specific weather, like the fresh snow level at the resort. The app provides detailed snow conditions and forecasts for over 3,100 ski resorts worldwide.
The app is constantly updated, and one of the latest features they’ve added allows you to enjoy enhanced terrain maps with improved contours and the ability to import GPX and KML tracks for free. The weather maps have also been updated to include nearby resorts, allowing you to tap and see snow conditions easily.
Some other cools features of the free app that I find useful are the topographic maps with piste/trail overlays, resort webcam images, and the ability to get snow alerts via email or push notifications. Paid subscriptions unlock additional features, like topographical maps caching for offline use, forecasts every three hours, and nine-day long-range forecasts.
6. For Tornado and Storm Alerts – Storm Radar
Availability: iOS
Price: Free with premium options
When it comes to tracking severe weather, The Weather Channel’s Storm Radar app is a top choice. The only downside of this app is that it’s only available for iPhone users. The app has detailed maps that show where storms are heading and when they’ll arrive. It sends timely push notifications to alert you of upcoming dangerous weather, ensuring you’re always prepared.
Storm Radar’s weather map is highly customizable and allows you to choose from radar, satellite, severe weather alerts, temperature, local storm reports, and more. For storm tracking, you get a comprehensive analysis, including tornado, hail, and wind impacts, as well as other specific details like mixed-layer CAPE and reflectivity. The map not only shows past storm movements but also predicts their path for the next six hours.
Despite its detailed information, the app is user-friendly, and you’ll easily find your way around it. Tap anywhere on the map to get a pop-up with the weather info, and add locations to your favorites for severe weather alerts.
7. For Tracking Ocean Tides – Tides Near Me
Price: Free with premium options
Whether you enjoy boating, surfing, or simply relaxing at the beach, Tides Near Me is the perfect app for tracking high and low tides. You can select your country, city, and tide station to get real-time information about the most recent and upcoming tides, along with a weekly tide schedule.
The app also includes a map of nearby tide stations, allowing you to compare data across different locations. Beyond tide information, Tides Near Me provides sunrise, sunset, and moonrise times for each day of the week.
While some weather apps offer multiple features, Tides Near Me excels at its specialized purpose of tide tracking.
8. For Big Disaster Awareness – Emergency: Severe Weather
Price: Free
Another essential weather app for travel planning is Emergency: Severe Weather by the American Red Cross. It provides crucial information about various emergencies, including hurricanes, floods, extreme heat, and winter storms.
Unlike some weather apps that focus solely on current conditions, Emergency: Severe Weather offers comprehensive monitoring and customizable alerts tailored to your location. You can also input additional cities and contacts to stay informed about their safety.
In response to the growing impact of climate change, the app has been updated to include 40 different types of alerts and step-by-step guides to ensure you’re well-prepared for potential weather-related emergencies. With Emergency: Severe Weather on your device, you can stay ahead of disasters and take proactive measures to keep yourself and your loved ones safe.
Be Prepared For All Weather Conditions
If you travel often, or enjoy outdoorsy activities, it’s best to always be informed and prepared for whatever weather comes your way. Whether you’re planning a mountain hike, monitoring storms, or simply checking the daily forecast, the best weather apps offer a solution for every situation.
All screenshots and images by Anya Zhukova.
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