Right as rain
The weather has always been a major topic of conversation for us Brits. Stay one step ahead with our round-up of the best forecast apps
THERE are two questions asked out loud in my house every morning: “Is it going to rain?”, and “Is it cold?”.
I’m sure we’re not the only household in which this happens, we are in the UK after all.
I would say that, as the last drags of summer eek away and the skies begin to darken through autumn, it’s more useful than ever to have an up-to-date an accurate weather forecast in your pocket.
Alas, we all know that kind of information can be useful at any time. So, here are five apps that will tell you much more than your stock weather app and, of course, whether you’ll be needing your big umbrella and big coat.
All are available on both iOS and Android…
DARK SKY
We say: A lovelylooking and wonderfully accurate forecaster that can tell you with precision if it’s going to rain.
You can set it up to drop you a notification when the heavens are about to open, and it’ll even tell you how long the downpour will last.
It also has nice animated satellite maps so you can see for yourself what is expected and when.
They say: Dark Sky is the most accurate source of hyperlocal weather information.
With down-to-the-minute forecasts, you’ll know exactly when the rain will start or stop, right where you’re standing. (It’s like magic.)
■ Price: £3.99
CARROT
We say: When I hear an app has “personality”, I keep on scrolling.
Especially if that personality is said to be “sassy”.
But Carrot, which is both these things, may float your particular boat. It actually runs on Dark Sky’s forecasting system, but presented in an interface which is unique.
It may well brighten your day when the skies begin to bruise. They say: From spooky fog to torrential downpours, Carrot’s dialogue, characters, and scenery change in “unexpected” ways.
You’ll actually be looking forward to a blizzard just to see what Carrot has in store for you!
■ Price: £4.99
BBC WEATHER
We say: What the
BBC’s weather app has above all the others is its name and the reputation that goes with it.
It’s also reliable, and has a long-range forecast so you can see up to 14 days into the future.
They say: Wherever you are, and whatever your plans, you’re always prepared with the latest weather forecast from BBC Weather.
Now even easier to understand, with more locations and more hourly information.
■ Price: Free
THE MET OFFICE
We say: It no longer supplies forecasts for the BBC (ITV still uses it), but the Met Office has been around for 165 years and is going strong. Go straight to the source with this comprehensive and neatly designed app.
They say: The Met Office weather app gives you the most accurate world-leading global weather forecasts, with coverage from 1 hour to 7 days ahead. ■ Price: Free (£2.99 to remove ads)
ACCUWEATHER
We say: The clue is in the name – AccuWeather claims to be “the most accurate” weather forecaster out there.
Whether that’s true or not is hard to test, but it certainly looks the part and, in my testing at least, has been right more than it’s been wrong. They say: Get your live forecast, weather updates and severe storm alerts with AccuWeather – superior accuracy™ you can rely on.
■ PRICE: Free (£3.99 to remove ads)