Should I bring an umbrella today? Is it going to rain later? Should I dry my clothes outdoors? Before smartphones were invented, we had to rely on the TV’s news channel for answers to these weather-related questions. However, thanks to the advancement of technology, weather apps have become just another way for us to stay up to date on the weather.
So whether you plan to go overseas, or need to travel within the country, we have narrowed down a list of five weather apps that should be on your phone. The best part? They can be downloaded free-of-charge.
1. Yahoo Weather
Price: Free (iOS and Android)
If you are all about Flickr, then Yahoo Weather is your best option for weather forecasts. Yahoo Weather provides users with exact weather conditions by constantly updating their backgrounds from images via Flickr. Users can add up to 20 cities to track all their favourite destinations. Besides, the interface is stunning, with animations such as sunrise, sunset, wind, and pressure modules.
2. AccuWeather
Price: Free (iOS and Android)
AccuWeather is designed using location-based technology to track your exact street address or GPS location. Leading minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts are updated every 15 minutes, and include the latest humidity and precipitation percentages, as well as details such as UV index, wind speed, and sunrise and sunset times.
3. BBC Weather
Price: Free (iOS and Android)
According to Telegraph, this app is the go-to weather application for the British, and is downloaded 19,000 times each day in the UK. It is certainly perfect for the minimalist, with its is user friendly and non-glossy interface. As BBC Weather presenter Carol Kirkwood put it, “Twenty years ago you had to wait for Michael Fish after the news, but now with the BBC Weather app, you can get your local forecast for the next hour, or next 10 days, just when you need it.”
4. GO Weather Forecast & Widgets
Price: Free (Android)
Apart from offering reliable weather information, this app also comes with a stunning display of live wallpaper which features different weather scenarios. GO Weather also comes with different kinds of weather widgets with more than 1000 personalized themes. So if you’re all about visual and bright graphics, this is the weather app for you.
5. The Weather Channel
Price: Free (iOS and Android)
Apart from the usual local forecast and weather news, The Weather Channel also includes hourly, 36-hour and 10-day forecast options. The app also comes with map layers that allow users to choose road or satellite views and activate hurricane tracking. It was previously awarded the Gold medal from Gizmodo’s best weather apps.
