The Best Free Weather Apps For Travelers

Don't Let Bad Weather Ruin Your Trip

best weather app for travel

There are many things that can ruin a vacation, and unexpected weather is right up the top of the list. Snowstorms can throw transport plans into disarray. Excessive heat makes exploring new cities a chore, while sudden cold snaps make wandering equally miserable. Heavy rain can leave you and your luggage soaked for hours.

While there's little you can do to prevent bad weather when you travel, knowing it's coming lets you make better plans.

Here are five of the best free weather apps to help make your next trip a little more enjoyable, plus a few suggestions for specific destinations. They're all available for both Android and Apple devices.

Weather Bug

Want a weather app with all of the features? Download Weather Bug. While some might find the amount of information overwhelming, the app does a good job of focusing on the bits you actually need.

Everything from pollen count to barometric pressure, live cams to lightning detection, is available with a tap or two. There's also more typical fare, including the current conditions, with both hourly and extended forecasts.

Severe weather alerts for your current location give you a warning of what lies in store, and the Android home screen widgets are both attractive and useful.  You can track multiple locations at once, which is handy if you need to know what's happening back at home, or in your next destination.

Available on:  Android ,  iOS

Weather Channel

For a simpler interface, check out the Weather Channel app.

It covers the basics quickly and well, with a "Now" screen that includes temperature and description, and expands to give more info with a single tap.

Short video forecasts and predictions like "Expect rain to start at 2:30 pm" set the app apart from the rest, with hourly and longer-term forecasts also available.

The app tracks severe weather like storms and hurricanes, and gives details for both current and saved locations. If you're after a straightforward app, backed by one of the "heavy hitters" in weather forecasting, this is the one for you.

AccuWeather

AccuWeather sites somewhere between the two apps listed above, providing plenty of information, in a clear, simple format that doesn't overload the user.

The hourly forecast is attractive, presented in both graph and text format, while the daily predictions benefit from a status bar that alerts to the likelihood of severe weather in the next few days. The addition of "RealFeel" information (what the weather actually feels like outside) is a nice touch, especially when traveling in particularly humid or cold destinations.

Videos of global weather reports and news provide a brief distraction if you're out of reach of a television, although they feel more like an afterthought than a vital part of the app. You'll definitely want to avoid them if you're on a limited or expensive data roaming package, though, or at least wait until you're connected to a Wi-fi network.

1Weather strikes that rare balance of doing just the right amount, without trying to do too much. It's easy to see current, daily and weekly forecasts for your current location or, with a couple of taps, anywhere else on the planet.

Information is presented clearly, and you can see highs, lows and general forecasts for the week ahead at a glance. Details for the current day include wind speed, humidity, ​chance of rain in the next hour, and more.

The range of Android widgets are useful and flexible, and while there's a premium, ad-free version, a purchase isn't necessary for most travelers. Accurate and useful all around the world, this is an excellent, if lesser-known, weather companion for travelers.

Available on:  iOS ,  Android

Yahoo Weather

Last but not least, Yahoo Weather is easily the best-looking app in this list. Pulling attractive, location-specific backgrounds from Flickr, first impressions are deceiving–all you see is a very basic temperature and forecast at the bottom left.

Scrolling down, however, reveals a wealth of other detail. Hourly, five and ten-day forecasts give way to current weather, regional maps, wind and rain predictions, and sunrise/sunset times. What you see is what you get, since you can't tap for further details, but the information on offer will be enough for most people.

You can swipe left and right to check out other locations, and the range of Android widgets are as attractive and functional as the app itself.

One note of caution: be careful if you're roaming, or on a cell plan with limited data. Those lovely background photos aren't particularly small, and they'll chew through a surprising amount of data over the course of a trip.

Country-Specific Apps

If you want the most accurate information for one particular destination, it's also worth looking for country-specific weather apps.

The official weather services in many popular destinations have released their own apps. These provide more features and detail about the conditions than most general-purpose versions, so if the weather is going to be particularly important on your trip, check the app store before you leave.

A few useful examples include:

  • The Met Office in the United Kingdom's ( iOS , Android )
  • The Australian Bureau of Meteorology ( iOS and Android )
  • New Zealand's Met Service ( iOS and Android )

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Weather-Proof Your Travel Plans: 7 Best Weather Apps for Travelers

Weather-Proof Your Travel Plans: 7 Best Weather Apps for Travelers

Plan ahead and stay up to date with the best weather apps for traveling. from air quality to storm or northern lights tracking, these apps cover it all….

  • 1 Plan ahead and stay up to date with the best weather apps for traveling. From air quality to storm or northern lights tracking, these apps cover it all…
  • 2 7 Best Weather Apps for Travelers
  • 3 The Weather Channel
  • 4 AccuWeather
  • 6 Weather on the Way (iOS only)
  • 7 WeatherBug
  • 8 IQAir AirVisual Air Quality Forecast
  • 9 My Aurora Forecast
  • 10 BONUS APP: The Drive Weather App
  • 11 7 Best GPS Apps for Your Travel Style
  • 12.1 Related

What’s one of the first things you do when you start packing for a trip? That’s right, you check the weather at your destination. Is it going to be hot, cold, or rainy? What about cold in the morning but hot in the afternoon?

You need to know these details to pack and plan correctly and stay up-to-date with any forecast changes. And, let’s be real, there are always a lot of changes to forecasts.

The following apps help you do all of the above. They help travelers plan ahead and on the go, making the most of their trip. Plus, we’ve included a couple of niche apps that help you track air quality and discover the northern lights!

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases at no added cost to you. Thank you for your support. 

7 Best Weather Apps for Travelers 

Sometimes your phone’s default weather app just doesn’t cut it, especially as you travel from place to place and need more reliability. 

Luckily, the following weather apps can help you plan your trip and stay prepared for any weather changes. 

The Weather Channel

Weather-Proof Your Travel Plans: 7 Best Weather Apps for Travelers

The Weather Channel has been the leader for weather on TV and also claims a top spot as the best weather app. The app has easy-to-understand visualizations and alerts, so you get a quick view of the weather without spending much time in the app.

Even quicker, the latest version offers new lock screen widgets on Android and iOS16 that display the forecast on your lock screen. So, you don’t even have to unlock your phone or open the app to see the day’s forecast. 

An analysis by ForecastWatch determined The Weather Channel to be the overall most accurate provider globally . 

However, be warned that the free version has become quite overloaded with ads. You can upgrade to The Weather Channel Premium for ad-free weather for $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play .

AccuWeather

Weather-Proof Your Travel Plans: 7 Best Weather Apps for Travelers

AccuWeather has ranked as the best weather app for many years, primarily because of its user-friendliness and MinuteCast® forecasts. The MinuteCast® forecasts for Minute by Minute® precipitation updates and the WinterCast™ gives you advanced warnings of snowfall probabilities and accumulation.

The World Meteorological Organization has awarded it “Best User Interface and Data Representation,” “Best Weather Warnings,” and “Best Design and Presentation of Information, User-Friendliness; Access and Customization.” 

Unfortunately, the latest update for Accuweather has put two of those awards in jeopardy. New and long-time users are very unhappy with the new visuals and interface. However, they’ll very likely release another update soon, addressing the backlash they received from the latest update. 

The app also has more ads than ever, which pressures users to invest in the premium. But who can blame them for wanting to profit from their highly-accurate product? The free version still works great if you overlook the ads. Or you can pay $0.99 to $1.99 per month for Premium or Premium+.

weather radar Best Weather Apps

Clime is a sleek and straightforward weather app that provides real-time weather updates and forecasts for any location worldwide. It provides NOAA weather radar live, which is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (AKA the Big Cahuna of weather).

Clime Pro has a lot of great features, including customized weather alerts based on saved locations. Plus, a hurricane tracker, advanced precipitation forecast, lightning tracker, air quality index, wildfire tracking, and more. Oh, and no ads. 

As such, it’s recognized as one of the best weather apps for severe weather tracking and warnings.

The Pro is a bit pricy, starting at $2.99 per week or $9.99 monthly on iOS. However, the weekly option is nice for travelers who may only need Pro features for a short time. 

Weather on the Way (iOS only)

Best Weather Apps

Weather on the Way is an iOS-only app that provides real-time weather updates and forecasts en route. You can set your driving route and it will forecast what lies ahead. So, it’s ideal for road trippers!

It is compatible with CarPlay, which is becoming more and more desirable these days. There’s room for improvement with its CarPlay usability, but it’s a relatively new app compared to others. So, improvements will surely soon follow.

The free version works well for occasional road trips. If you travel for work or pleasure often, it may be worth upgrading to Pro. You can get Pro Monthly for $4.99 or unlock all Pro features for life with Pro Lifetime at $84.99.

Available only in the Apple App Store . Google Play has a similar weather route app called Highway Weather that shows some promise.

lightning Best Weather Apps

WeatherBug is widely considered the best FREE weather app. It’s a standard yet reliable weather app that offers real-time weather updates and forecasts for any location worldwide. 

The app also provides useful features such as radar maps, live camera feeds, and severe weather alerts. Additionally, WeatherBug offers a unique feature called Spark, which provides lightning alerts and safety tips.

In exchange for all its features being free, WeatherBug does have ads but not overwhelmingly so. If you can’t tolerate any ads, you can get rid of them for $0.99 per monthly or $9.99 per year.

IQAir AirVisual Air Quality Forecast

Best Weather Apps

This niche weather app provides real-time air quality updates and forecasts for any location worldwide. It covers 10,000+ locations from a global network of government monitoring stations and AirVisual’s own validated sensors.

The app also offers helpful features such as allergy and asthma risk assessments, customized alerts for air quality changes, and personalized health recommendations.

My Aurora Forecast

Aurora Borealis Best Weather Apps

This is another niche weather app that is popular among travelers. As the name suggests, it helps you see the Aurora Borealis, whether you’re a tourist or a serious aurora watcher.

It’s a must-have travel weather app if you’re traveling in hopes of seeing the Northern Lights. It tells you everything you need to know, including how likely you are to see the lights at any given location and time. 

BONUS APP: The Drive Weather App

We have found the best weather app for RV travel. It takes the National Weather Service’s weather forecast showing RVers the weather along their route at the time they reach each point. It allows comparison of different routes, creating stops, interactively changing departure time, and other features that help RVers plan trips around the weather. Drive Weather is a travel app worth the look, too!

best weather app for travel

7 Best GPS Apps for Your Travel Style

7 Best GPS Apps for Your Travel Style

We’ve categorized the best GPS apps for your smartphone based on travel style. So, if you’re looking for the best GPS for a road trip, international travel, overlanding, RVing, and more, we have the best GPS app for you…

Continue reading…

Do you prefer to travel by RV?

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Use the RV Lifestyle blog as an RV Google – as we have over 3000 articles on living the RV life for over a decade! Use the Search bar to find the answers to living your best life traveling and camping. Then head over to our YouTube Channel or listen to us on your favorite Podcast player (where we have nearly 500 podcasts waiting for you), or hang out with us on any of our social sites. Your adventure awaits!

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9 Best Road Trip Weather Apps of 2024

The Best Road Trip Weather App: The weather is increasingly extreme. Going out, traveling, and planning many times becomes a bit complicated when a storm or an inclement snowfall surprises you. Fortunately, technology puts in our hands very practical tools to plan a getaway based on time. Continue reading and discover some of the Best Road Trip Weather App .

Table of Content

The 9 Best Road Trip Weather App

  • Weather Live: Beautiful animations, temperature, and weather details. For Android and iOS.
  • AccuWeather road trip planner : Popular app with clear design for Android and iPhone.
  • Morecast: Precision-focused road trip app with global weather and route analysis.
  • Weather App: Forecasts, skiing/beach info, and events. Configurable notices.
  • Today Weather: Minimalist design, clear forecasts, and rain alerts.
  • Yahoo Weather: Cute design, radar map, and notifications. For Android and iOS.
  • AEMET Time: Official app with accurate weather info for up to a week.
  • Weather Radar Free: Independent app with 8-day forecasts and radar maps.
  • Google Assistant: Voice-activated weather queries with detailed responses.

These Best road trip apps to check the weather can become great allies to spend unforgettable holidays. But it is essential to use only the best, so we show you a compilation of reliable applications that will give you an idea of ​​the weather for the following days. Have Android or iPhone, any of these applications is perfect for checking the weather.

Best Weather App for Road Trips

The fastest solution, as in almost all cases at this time, is at your fingertips on your mobile phone, where dozens of weather apps for road trips can instantly provide all the information the user needs.

The Characteristics of a Good App to Check the Weather

Today there are many weather best road trip apps to check the weather. However, not all are accurate enough. If you are going to use this valuable tool, it is essential that you choose a high-quality one. In this sense, it is important that the application goes beyond the temperature from your mobile. It is essential that you can also offer the location through GPS.

Other important aspects of an excellent weather road trip planner app to check the weather are its capacity for interactivity, as well as energy efficiency. Many of these weather apps for road trips offer a wide variety of extra options that make them much more enjoyable.

The applications that we are going to show you are accurate in their readings (taking into account that sometimes the weather is unpredictable) and, also, they are completely free. Of course, some of them even offer a much more complete paid version; however, with the basic version, you can get very useful information.

1. Weather Live: forecast and temperature

Best road trip apps

  • Visual weather animations reflecting current conditions.
  • Temperature and thermal sensation information.
  • Wind speed and direction details.
  • Atmospheric pressure and precipitation information.
  • Dawn and dusk hours.
  • Meteorological radar and rain maps.
  • Available for Android and iOS.

Without a doubt, one of the most careful best weather apps for road trips visually. It shows beautiful animations that reflect the current weather conditions of the place you are looking for.

It allows us to know the temperature and thermal sensation, the speed and direction of the wind, the information on the atmospheric pressure and the precipitations, the hours of the dawn and the dusk and it includes a meteorological radar and maps of rain . get this app for Android  and  iOS.

2. AccuWeather road trip planner

accuweather road trip planner

  • Popular and widely used weather application.
  • Comprehensive widget for detailed information.
  • Accurate weather readings.
  • Clear design with concise but useful information.
  • Details include wind, humidity, dew, and UV index.
  • Preinstalled on many mobile devices.

Available for both Android and iPhone, this weather application is, without a doubt, one of the most popular. The widget of this Best Road Trip Weather App is one of the most complete.

Like Yahoo Weather, you can enter several destinations, and their weather readings are usually quite accurate. Many mobiles already have it preinstalled, which has boosted its use among millions of people. This is perhaps the best-known app and one of the best-rated, largely because for years it has been preinstalled on a multitude of mobiles.

With a simple and clear design, it shows, in card format, concise but very useful information. Apart from the actual temperature information, it offers details about the weather conditions such as wind, humidity, dew, and the UV index. available for Android and iOS.

3. Morecast

A very complete Best road trip apps that use an algorithm created by the developers themselves to, through a multitude of databases, predict the weather with great precision.

Best road trip apps

  • Uses a proprietary algorithm for precise weather predictions.
  • Live weather conditions worldwide through webcams.
  • Trip analysis to determine the best route.
  • Utilizes data from multiple databases for accuracy.

This tool allows you to view live weather conditions worldwide by choosing from thousands of webcams distributed across the planet. In addition, when making a trip, it allows you to analyze the time it will take between the origin and the destination and helps you choose the best possible route.

4. Weather App

In addition to the weather forecast and forecast, this application offers information about weather-related to skiing, beaches, and upcoming events , such as concerts.

Best Weather App for Road Trips

  • Weather forecast and information related to skiing, beaches, and events.
  • Configurable to display national notices for various locations.

The app can be configured to display national notices: all, those of your current position or those of your favorite cities.

5. Today Weather

With a very careful and practical interface, minimalist and dark tones, this application allows you to choose the data source (sometimes, the significant difference in data between one provider and another draws a lot of attention).

  • Minimalist and practical interface with dark tones.
  • Choice of data source for weather information.
  • Clear and easily understood weather forecast.
  • Rain and severe weather alerts.

It shows the weather forecast clearly and easily understood and launches rain and severe weather alerts.

6. Yahoo Weather

When Yahoo has already lost much of its greatness of yesteryear, it still shines with this application, with excellent design – cute and intuitive to use – that takes advantage of the Flickr database to embellish the backgrounds of the app’s screens. It has a radar map in which to see the clouds.

Best Weather App for Road Trips

  • Excellent design with intuitive use.
  • Utilizes Flickr database for attractive backgrounds.
  • Radar map to visualize clouds.
  • Ability to enter data from multiple locations.
  • Notifications for rain and extreme weather conditions.

We begin our list with the Yahoo weather app for iPhone and Android. It has a radar, heat map, satellite, wind power, and direction map.

One of the advantages of this Best Road Trip Weather App is that you can enter data from more than one location. It also includes notifications of rain and other extreme weather conditions. ( Android  and  iOS  )

7. AEMET Time

AEMET is considered by many as the most accurate best road trip apps of the moment. This is the official application of the State Meteorological Agency, the public body that provides information about the weather to the media.

Best Weather App for Road Trips

  • Official application of the State Meteorological Agency.
  • Considered accurate by many users.
  • Provides weather information within a week.
  • GPS, alert service, and widget functionality.
  • Detailed and constantly updated information in a clear format.

One of the disadvantages of this app is that it only offers time information within a week. In this sense, it lags behind other more innovative applications that provide it within 15 days or more.

The interface of this application is not as interactive as others in the market. However, it perfectly fulfills its functions since it has GPS, an alert service, and, of course, a widget.

The App of the State Meteorological Agency provides accurate, detailed, and permanently updated the information in a clear format. Among the many data it offers, it is possible to consult graphs that show the changes in recent days.

It gives a lot of data about Spanish beaches until the second day, with search functionality by municipality or beach name.

8. Weather Radar Free

Also available for both platforms, Weather Radar Free stands out as one of the few independent technological applications. This app offers the weather forecast for eight days, as well as radar maps, hourly forecasts, temperature maps, and rainfall.

Best Weather App for Road Trips

  • Independent technological application.
  • Eight-day weather forecast.
  • Radar maps, hourly forecasts, temperature maps, and rainfall information.
  • Special features for winter sports enthusiasts, including ski resort information.

Another feature that Time & Radar stands out for is the additional information that winter sports enthusiasts can take advantage of. In this sense, you can find information about the ski resorts that are open to the public, as well as the amount of snow in those stations, interesting, right?

9. Google Assistant – Google maps weather along route

Best Weather App for Road Trips

  • Voice-activated weather queries.
  • Provides detailed weather information verbally and on-screen.
  • Part of Google’s smart assistant capabilities.

Among the many help provided by Google’s smart assistant, one of the most useful and used is the time query. Simply ask in a loud voice what you want to know about the weather, and a voice will provide the desired information. Also, a table with more detailed information will be displayed on the mobile screen.

Why is AccuWeather popular?

AccuWeather is popular due to its comprehensive widget, accurate weather readings, and a clear design displaying information such as temperature, wind, humidity, dew, and UV index. It is also preinstalled on many mobile devices.

How does Morecast predict Weather with precision?

Morecast uses an algorithm developed by its developers, incorporating data from multiple databases to predict the Weather with great precision. It also allows users to view live weather conditions worldwide through webcams.

Why is AEMET Time considered accurate?

AEMET Time is the official application of the State Meteorological Agency and is considered accurate by many users. It provides detailed and constantly updated weather information within a week, along with GPS, alert service, and widget functionality.

What features does Weather Radar Free offer?

Weather Radar Free provides an eight-day weather forecast, radar maps, hourly forecasts, temperature maps, and rainfall information. It also includes additional information for winter sports enthusiasts, such as data on open ski resorts and snow levels.

How does Google Assistant help with weather queries?

Google Assistant allows users to make voice-activated weather queries. Users can ask about the weather aloud, and the assistant provides the information verbally and displays a detailed table on the mobile screen.

These Road Trip Weather App to check the weather are accurate and have an attractive interface and very easy to navigate. Applications that can become your best allies to plan your day to day and even your next vacation, do you dare to try them?

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best weather app for travel

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Article updated on April 22, 2024 at 12:00 PM PDT

Best Weather Apps for 2024

Mother Nature can't surprise you when you're using these apps.

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the-weather-channel-web-covid19-state-level-45.png

The "I wish I'd checked the weather" situation can be frustrating, especially when the sun is shining bright, your hair is done and you're wearing your favorite outfit, only for the rain to start pouring minutes later. Mobile weather apps provide easy access to forecasts whenever you need them. Many apps tell you the high temperature for the day, and they give you an hour-by-hour breakdown of temperatures, precipitation levels, air quality and more to keep you informed and safe.

These apps can be helpful, but many also collect and distribute your data, which could pose a danger to your privacy. That's why it's important to understand their privacy policies, too. If you use an iPhone or Android, your device already comes with a built-in weather app, but if you're not happy with those apps, or they aren't working properly, there are other apps to try. 

Here's a roundup of our favorite weather apps.

Read more: Best Meditation Apps for Reducing Stress

A weather and news app

The weather channel.

Calling The Weather Channel app a weather app feels like a disservice. You can watch videos of news stories from The Weather Channel in the app. Most of the stories are related to the weather, the environment and wildlife, but you'll also see health- and lifestyle-related stories.

The app gives you standard weather information, like hourly temperatures, rain chances throughout the day, live weather radar and any severe weather alerts in your area. 

The downside? The free version of the app has a lot of ads, and they can be distracting. I ran into four ads when scrolling down the main page of the app, and then I ran into an entire sponsored content section near the bottom of the page. You won't run into these ads if you subscribe to the paid version of the app.

According to The Weather Channel's privacy policy , the app may collect, use and share your data. You can also request to delete data related to your preferences. Beware, the privacy policy does say The Weather Channel "cannot delete data directly associated with your account without deleting your account."

You can download The Weather Channel app for free from the App Store and the Google Play store. You can subscribe to the ad-free version of the app for $2 a month ($10 a year if paid upfront) or you can subscribe to the Premium Pro version of the app for $5 a month ($30 a year).

the-weather-channel-web-covid19-state-level-45.png

More detailed hourly forecasts

Accuweather.

AccuWeather offers users what it calls MinuteCast, which breaks down forecasts by the minute. This forecast shows you a detailed outlook for the next four hours, including when the rain will start and stop and what the temperature will be at specific times. This is helpful if you are about to leave a building and want to wait for the rain to stop. No more dashing through the pouring rain just for it to let up as soon as you get inside.

The app also gives you standard weather information, like daily temperatures, weather conditions and future coasts. There is also a section on the homepage dedicated to allergies, and the app displays severe weather alerts across the top of the homepage for easy access.

The free version of the app offers a lot, and the paid version offers more, like expert analysis of weather events. But AccuWeather also hides arguably essential information behind the paid version, such as insight into what you should do if you find yourself facing dangerous weather. I understand you have to differentiate between the free and paid versions of the app, but withholding potentially lifesaving information like that behind a paywall feels gross.

AccuWeather writes in its privacy policy that it may collect personal, identifiable information, cookies and even information about other devices that your device is near. AccuWeather might also share your information with other companies , like Amazon Publishing Services, Facebook and Microsoft Azure.

You can download the free version of the AccuWeather app from the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the ad-free version of the app for $1 a month ($9 a year if paid upfront) or the premium version of the app for $2 a month ($20 a year).

accuweather

Weather with personality

Carrot weather.

Carrot Weather gives you the weather with a little personality. Here's the twist: You can pick what kind of personality you want the app to have, from Professional, which disables banter, to Overkill -- expect some heavy profanity. You can even select which politics the app personifies, from apolitical to anarchist.

This app gives you access to standard weather information like daily temperatures, weather conditions and future forecasts. It's also easy to find other environmental information, like the current phase of the moon and the UV index, on the app's homepage compared to some other weather apps.

While this app is fun and gives you a good breakdown of the weather, it doesn't offer a radar with the free version of the app. 

On the surface, Carrot Weather's privacy policy seems straightforward. It says the app only collects information that is "absolutely necessary" for the service to work. Later it says your information might be shared with other services, like AccuWeather, which might share your information with companies like Facebook.

You can download the free version of Carrot Weather from the App Store and the Google Play Store. You can also subscribe to the premium version of the app for $20 a year.

weatherscreenshot-2

For outdoorsy folks

The WeatherBug app is a good weather app for people who spend a lot of time outside hiking, bike riding or just enjoying the outdoors. One section on the app's homepage is called Outdoor Sports Index. This section shows you, on a scale of 1 to 10, how favorable the weather is for outdoor activities throughout the day. If a day has a score of 1 to 2, you're in the clear for a great day outside, but if a day has a score of 9 or 10 the app recommends canceling outdoor plans.

The app gives you the standard weather information, like daily temperatures, weather conditions and humidity. It also shows you information like where the closest lightning strike was to your location in the last 30 minutes.

The ads in the free version of WeatherBug can feel overwhelming at times. There is an ad banner at the bottom of your screen at all times in addition to any ads you might see while scrolling down any given page. It can be even more confusing because the app has videos and articles throughout its homepage, but these stories are placed near ads, making it easy to accidentally tap into an advertisement.

WeatherBug's privacy policy says it collects personal information, like your name and address, and it might ask for other information like your gender and even your interests, which raises some concerns. I find it hard to imagine a scenario where a weather app would need to know my personal interests. You can request your data be deleted, and WeatherBug says that it complied to some degree with all these requests in 2022.

You can download the free version of WeatherBug in the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the app for $1 a month, or $10 a year.

The WeatherBug logo

Privacy-focused weather app

Weather underground.

Weather Underground's privacy policy is unlike other weather apps -- and many mobile apps. The app lets you know upfront that it will use your data for targeted ads. The app makes it easy to opt out of sharing your information and to delete the data the app has on you. It also shows you how to manage your iPhone and Android app permissions . You can even request a copy of the data the app has on you from the Data Rights menu in Settings.

Weather Underground gives you standard weather information, like the current temperature, weather conditions and a live radar. You can also see temperatures and conditions from the last 24 hours if you're a hobby meteorologist. The app also gives you a glossary if you run into a weather term you're unfamiliar with.

The catch? Some Reddit users have said the app has been in decline for a few years. These users said the app has gotten slower and some features have been discarded altogether. For example, Weather Underground announced in 2018 the end of its API service. While new users might not notice a slower app or lack of features, it's good to keep in mind just in case other features start disappearing. Weather Underground did not respond to a request for comment on these points.

You can download the free version of Weather Underground in the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the app for $4 a month or $20 a year.

weather-underground-android

In-depth weather maps

Clime: noaa weather radar.

With a Clime paid subscription, you get one of the most comprehensive weather radars out of all the weather apps on this list. While other radars might show the temperature, rain and snow, Clime's radar will show you cloud coverage, snow depths and even active fire and hotspots. 

The app gives you standard weather information, like current temperatures, chances of rain and feels-like temperatures. The app is focused on its radar; that's the first thing you see when you open the app.

The app's focus on its radar might be confusing to some. Many other weather apps show current weather information at the top of the homepage, but that information is relegated to the bottom of Clime's homepage. 

Clime's privacy policy says it collects personal information like your real name, nicknames and how you interact with certain websites. You can request the service to delete your information, too. The policy also says if you stop using the service, it might retain your information for three years or longer, but the service doesn't always know if you aren't using its service anymore. So if you stop using the app, make sure you email the service and let them know you aren't using it anymore so they don't hold your information longer than they need to. 

You can download the free version of Clime from the App Store and the Google Play store. You can also subscribe to the app for $10 a month or $30 a year.

The Clime: NOAA logo

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15 best weather apps and weather widgets for Android

Published on March 2, 2024

YoWindow Weather best weather apps and weather widgets

Weather apps have become indispensable tools in our daily lives, providing us with real-time updates on the ever-changing atmospheric conditions. From planning outdoor activities to making important travel decisions, these applications offer invaluable insights. These days, you can also get some crazy good radars, even if Dark Sky doesn’t exist on Android anymore. In this article, we delve into the world of weather apps, exploring the features, accuracy, and user-friendliness of leading options. Whether you’re a casual user or a weather enthusiast, understanding the nuances of these apps can help you stay prepared and informed in any climate. 

For those who want something a little extra, here is a list of the best weather radars on Android that is entirely separate from this list.

The best weather apps and weather widgets for Android

  • Geometric Weather
  • Google Feed
  • MyRadar Weather Radar
  • NOAA Weather
  • Shadow Weather
  • Today Weather
  • The Weather Channel
  • What The Forecast?!!
  • Yahoo Weather
  • YoWindow Weather
  • WeatherUnderground

1Weather: Best for creative widgets 

Price: Free, In-app purchases for $o.oo14 – $0.0093 

1Weather by OneLouder Apps has been around for a long time and is not only one of the most popular weather apps on this list but also one of the highest-rated. It comes with standard features like your daily and hourly forecast, along with access to additional information like humidity, etc. There are also some weather widgets available. The design is crisp and clean. It also comes with Android Wear support, weather tracking for up to 12 cities, and support for 25 languages. All of the features come in the free version with advertising. You can also pay $4 to remove advertising. The only issue we’ve encountered with this app is that the radar occasionally fails to load.

Flowx: Best app for Android

Price: Free, In-App Purchases for $19.99

Flowx is one of the popular weather apps. It typically includes all the features that a general weather app may contain. What sets it apart is that it features over 20 different types of forecast models and 30 distinct data types. And the best part? Flowx is absolutely ad-free, ensuring that you have uninterrupted access to your weather updates. 

Windy.com: Best for detailed weather insights 

Price: Free, In-App Purchases for $3.99-$79.99

windy.com weather images (2)

Windy.com is an exceptional app providing comprehensive weather forecasts with detailed insights. It offers unique information such as wind gusts, snow depth, wave and tide forecasts, and more. Windy.com presents its weather data in a high-resolution, satellite format, though its interface might not be very intuitive. You can get your hands on some of its exclusive features by acquiring the premium version. However, we recommend trying the free version first.

Geometric Weather: Best for seamless app browsing

Price: Free

Geometric Weather screenshot

Geometric Weather is an excellent weather app, provided you don’t mind installing it from F-Droid. The app includes a 15-day forecast along with hourly forecasts for up to 24 hours. In addition, you get real-time conditions, a dark theme, allergen counts, sun and moon phases, global weather data, and more. You also get a choice between AccuWeather and OpenWeatherMap as your provider. The user interface is clean and easy to use. This was on the Play Store before but was removed for some reason. If it ever comes back, we’ll use the Google Play link instead of the F-Droid link.

Google Search, Discover, etc: Best for a quick weather update

Google App screenshot 2020

Google Assistant isn’t one of the usual weather apps. But it can show you the weather. You simply ask Google for the forecast. You can ask for the current weather, weather alerts, and more. Just click on the weather card to get additional info on the web. It doesn’t have a lot of the features as these other weather apps, such as weather widgets or a built-in radar. However, it’s excellent for quick checks, quick updates, and severe weather alerts. It’s also entirely free. The app comes pre-installed on most Android devices. If it’s not already installed, you can easily add the web app to your home screen . 

MyRadar Weather Radar: Best for local weather forecasts

Price: Free, In-App Purchases for $3.99-$33.99

MyRadar Weather Radar screenshot 2022

MyRadar is a simple app that shows you a weather radar. It offers a full range of features, including the ability to play animations so you can see if the rain is coming or going. The app itself is simple and you can buy additional features as in-app purchases. Some of the additional features include a hurricane tracker and additional radar features. The radar on this one is one of the best we’ve ever seen, and it’s the only one that even comes close to how good Dark Sky was. However, it works best in combination with another weather app so you can get the normal weather features as well.

NOAA Weather: Best for satellite weather imagery

Price: Free, In-App Purchases for $0.99-$9.99

NOAA Weather Unofficial is an app that sources information from the NOAA and National Weather Service. It provides features like the latest weather forecasts, hourly conditions, radar, and more. You can track several cities at once, and there are weather widgets to choose from. The only downside is that the app doesn’t support severe weather alerts. Both free and a paid version are available, but we recommend using the free one first.

Shadow weather: Best for smart weather conditions and notifications

Price: Free, In-App Purchases from $1.99-$12.99

shadow weather images (2)

Shadow Weather is among the most accurate weather forecast apps available on both Android and iOS. It offers multiple features such as minute, hourly, and daily forecasts, storm cell tracking, real-time lightning strike tracker, interactive radar, and more. One of the notable features of Shadow Weather is that you can link the app with the calendar on your phone to stay updated about the weather for upcoming events. Overall, it’s a commendable weather app and one of our top picks too. 

Today Weather: Best free app for Android

Price: Free, In-App Purchases for $0.99-$3.99

Today Weather screenshot 2020

Today Weather was a pleasant surprise in 2017. It’s a clean, functional, and quick weather app with more than enough features for most people. The app includes the usual features such as weather forecasts, humidity, actual temperature versus perceived temperature, severe weather alerts, weather widgets, and other useful info like air quality index, moon cycles, and sunrise/sunset times. The radar is also one of the most gorgeous that we’ve seen. The app is free to download and use, with optional in-app purchases.

WeatherBug: Best for its radar

Price: Free, Subscription for $1.99/month or $10.99/year

Weatherbug screenshot 2022

WeatherBug is one of the older weather apps, featuring all of the stuff you’d expect from a weather app. This includes weather forecasts, temperature, radar, weather alerts, and more. Additionally, it also features 18 different weather maps, a lightning alert system, traffic conditions, and more. While there are weather widgets available, they require separate downloads. It’s a highly stable and dependable weather app with more than enough features for most people. The developers consistently keep the user interface at least relatively modernized. The free version is more than good enough for most people.

The Weather Channel: Best allrounder app

Price: Free, In-app purchases ($0.99 – $29.99 per item)

The Weather Channel screenshot 2023

Weather Channel is easily among the most recognizable weather apps out there. Thankfully, it covers all the basics. That includes the current temperature, future forecasts, severe weather alerts, radar, and more. It also includes breaking news, lightning alerts, and pollen alerts. There are a variety of widgets, a separate tablet user interface, and additional stuff. It doesn’t cut any corners. That said, all of these features mean The Weather Channel app is one of the biggest ones on the list and is perfectly functional.

What The Forecast?!!: Best app for quirky weather forecasts

Price: Free, In-app purchases for $0.99 – $19.99

What The Forecast screenshot 2022

What The Forecast is one of the newer weather apps. You’ve probably seen screenshots of this app somewhere on social media. The app provides you with humorous quips that describe the weather outside. It features over 6600 phrases with an optional setting for profanity. Additionally, the app includes a seven-day forecast, integration with AerisWeather, current temperature, and the real feel, among other features. This is a fun weather app for those who need something basic but also unique. The profanity setting isn’t for everyone, but you probably know that already.

Yahoo Weather: Best for aesthetically pleasing weather forecasts

Yahoo Weather screenshot 2019 Final

Yahoo’s weather app is probably their best app. It features a beautiful design, essential weather information, weather alerts, a radar, and more. The app can track up to 20 cities. It shows gorgeous imagery from sources like Flickr. That’s about all it does, though. It gives you the weather basics and looks flashy. That’s good if that’s all you need. However, those needing something more serious may need to look elsewhere. Yahoo Weather is free with no in-app purchases. It does have ads, though.

YoWindow Weather: Best for real-time weather forecast effects

Price: $0.99

YoWindow Weather is one of the more unique weather apps. It’s quite flashy, allowing you to move your finger across the user interface to see the weather at any given point in the day. Additionally, it covers the basics fairly well. While it may not be as powerful as some weather apps, simplicity has its benefits as well. This makes it a great weather app for those who need something simple yet aesthetically pleasing. You can access the app for $0.99, which is a reasonable price for what you’re getting.

Weather Underground: Best for hyper-local weather updates

Price: Free, Subscription for $3.99/month or $19.99/year)

Weather Underground screenshot 2021

Weather Underground underwent some significant changes when IBM bought the company a while back. It covers the basics well, including the current forecast, a weather radar, the future forecast, and similar features. The app augments the experience by adding things like an air quality metric, sunrise and sunset times, hurricane tracking, and weather news. Additionally, the radar is fairly customizable with plenty of layers. While the price is now a bit higher than it used to be, we understand if it’s too steep for you. However, the free version offers the same features but with ads, so it’s not too big of a deal to go with the free version.

If we missed any great weather apps or weather widgets for Android, tell us about them in the comments.

You might like

Best weather apps for Android 2024

Don't let the weather take you by surprise, be prepared with these apps.

1. Accuweather

2. today weather, 3. 1weather.

Yahoo Weather

Appy Weather

MyRadar Weather Radar

In today's world, we've gotten used to seeing the weather change with little notice — and sometimes no notice — at all. From flash floods and hurricanes to knowing precisely how ungodly hot it is outside, having a trusty weather app on your side can make all the difference. There are a lot of options to choose from if you're looking for the best weather apps for Android, and we've rounded up some of our favorites here.

These are the best Android weather apps

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

It's easy to understand why Accuweather is one of the best Android apps after you download it. All of your pertinent information is laid out in an easy-to-view interface, while MinuteCast offers some of the most reliable notifications for when the rain is about to start or stop.

Today Weather is a beautiful application that makes it easy to get a quick overview of what to expect for the day. You can also peruse the app and find all of the more detailed information you would want.

Not everyone wants to have to open an app to get information, and with 1Weather's widgets, you won't have to. The app offers a plethora of beautifully-designed Android widgets to choose from, so you can see what to expect at a glance.

If you're trying to find the best weather apps for Android, it's difficult to ignore Accuweather with its simplistic design and great information. The app offers a clean layout, providing all of the information about what to expect from the day. After downloading Accuweather, the app features a breakdown of the weather that is expected to take place, along with an overview of the next day.

At the bottom, you have shortcuts for a Today View, along with Hourly, Daily, and a view of the radar for your area. But instead of just viewing the radar for the next few hours, Accuweather actually offers several different mapping layers to choose from. These include a satellite view, any watches or warnings in your area, and even a five-day outlook for precipitation.

The app is free to download, but you'll have to deal with some ads placed throughout. If you want to get rid of the ads, you can do so via an in-app purchase from within the sidebar. Accuweather has even gone so far as to include a persistent notification that shows the current temperature in your status bar, along with the current weather conditions. Plus, it has a Wear OS app that will work great with some of the best Android smartwatches .

Accuweather

Accuweather

Many apps and widgets — including most preloaded manufacturer weather widgets — use Accuweather for the same reason you should: it's dependable and damn accurate. The app is ALSO smartly laid out, comes with a lovely dark theme option, and is worth your trust when bad weather hits.

Free with IAPs:  Google Play Store

Today Weather Android app

There's a reason why Today Weather is a fan favorite for those who don't want a bunch of extraneous information at their fingertips. The app itself offers a pretty basic layout, but the real power of Today Weather comes with the multitude of widgets. There are actually a total of 19 different widgets to choose from, all ranging in different sizes to better fit your Home Screen design.

From within the app, you can view some basic information at the top, including the temperatures and any expected precipitation. But as you scroll further down, you'll see more in-depth details about the day. These include the "real feel" temperature, humidity levels, UV index, and even the dew point. There are a number of user-selectable sources including AccuWeather, Dark Sky, and Yr.no, a Norwegian forecasting service that can produce more accurate forecasts for many parts of the world that aren't America. Moving even further down reveals the hourly and daily forecasts, so you can quickly and easily plan out when you'll want to grab the umbrella or snow boots.

Today Weather

Today Weather

This friendly weather app will greet you by your name and then display weather information from a number of sources. If you're looking for a weather app that's black as night and will help you see what's coming on a dark and stormy night, Today Weather is for you.

At first glance, there's not much 1Weather has to offer that isn't already made available by the other apps on this list. However, after opening 1Weather for the first time, you can definitely see the appeal. After sharing your location data with the app to get precise updates, you'll be asked if you want to see "weather facts" appear whenever you open the app. This is something unique and that we haven't found elsewhere.

As for the interface itself, all of the information you need appears right at the top, along with some ads placed throughout. There are different tabs to swipe between, depending on whether you want to see the forecast for the week or figure out when the sunset is. Scrolling down from the main screen and you'll find "1Weather Shorts", which are short videos about major weather events, along with 1Weather TV. This is a local forecast show that you can listen to if you prefer the news broadcast style to figure out what the weather will be like.

There are a few flaws we've found in our extended use of 1Weather, such as the app not always updating immediately when re-opened, but the app performs well and looks good doing it.

1Weather

1Weather has been one of my long-time favorites. It's a beautiful weather app with a bounty of customization options and a dozen weather widgets that can be customized six ways to Sunday.

Some other great weather apps for Android

There are more weather apps on the Google Play Store than you can shake a stick at. That means that while some of our favorites may be great for most, having options to choose from is even better. So here are some of the other great weather apps for Android.

Yahoo Weather

Instead of relying on a bunch of extra features to show your weather information, Yahoo Weather does things a bit differently. The app uses various images from Flickr to provide a backdrop for what weather conditions are for the day. Scrolling down provides the forecast and other minor details, while the big (+) button in the top right corner makes it easy to add other cities to scroll between.

In fact, when you start up Yahoo Weather for the first time, the app asks if you want to add any other "destination" locations. These are just big cities so that you can daydream about the warm weather in San Francisco while a snow storm bears down on the East Coast. Yahoo even makes it possible to set up daily notifications so you'll know what to expect before you even look outside.

Yahoo Weather

1Weather has the most diverse weather widgets for Android and they can be customized to fit into any theme. You'll be very pleased with the unique shapes available in the app.

RadarScope weather app for Android on an Android phone

Some folks just want to get an overview of what to expect from the weather for the day, but others want to dive a bit deeper — and by "a bit," we mean a lot. Radarscope is one of the best radar apps on the Play Store with the ability to view the radar overview for a myriad of locations. You can choose either specific radars from different areas in the world, or just enter your own location and see the radar view from there.

Being able to view the radar makes it so that you can see how large or small that storm really is. Plus, it's easy to get a better idea of how serious the storm is, which is why Radarscope is used by meteorologists and storm chasers alike. Unlike the other weather apps on this list, you won't find a daily forecast, or anything of the sort. You just get some good ol' radars to scroll through. This app also has secondary subscriptions for the really high-def radar scans and other features.

RadarScope

Most weather apps have radar features inside them, but if you need a really good radar app, use what professional meteorologists and storm chasers use: Radarscope.

Buy from:  Google Play Store

Overdrop weather app for Android

Some weather apps don't provide any options when it comes to selecting a weather source. For many, that'll be fine, but finding an app that lets you switch between sources is pretty awesome, and that's what you'll get with Overdrop. From the main page, Overdrop shows you the current weather details, with more information capable of being expanded with a drop-down arrow.

The app itself features a fun design with multiple themes to choose from during the initial setup. Plus, you can opt to use a persistent notification in your status bar, showing you what the current weather conditions are. There's a weather forecast section that shows you the temperature, wind speeds, and precipitation levels over the next 24 hours. Overdrop even includes more than 50 different widgets to choose from if you want to see the weather on your Home Screen. But to unlock the customization options of these widgets and the persistent notification, you'll need to sign up for OverDrop Pro. This also unlocks a few of the other themes, so you can truly personalize your weather app in every way imaginable.

Overdrop

From choosing different themes to having a basic layout and persistent notifications, Overdrop is a fantastic way to get your weather information at a glance. Plus, you can set up weather alerts to be notified when severe weather is about to roll through your area.

Flux weather app icon

Flux is a newcomer to the stiff competition for best weather apps for Android. Despite being relatively new to the roster, it works exceedingly well at what it does. Flux features a beautiful and simple interface to view your weather forecast, along with several different themes to choose from. The app even will allow you to choose different themes to be shown when your phone is in Light Mode or Dark Mode.

In the bottom toolbar, Flux is equipped with a daily overview panel, which acts as the main interface. There are also panels available to view the radar for your location, along with a summary panel for seeing what the rest of the week expects to bring. There are a few different widgets to choose from if you want to add the weather to your Home Screen. And Flux even makes it possible to customize and change around the order of the "cards" when viewing the main overview panel. Flux is really a great app, and we hope that the developer continues to bring new themes and features for everyone to take advantage of.

Flux

Flux is a well-polished weather app for Android and includes just about all of the features one could want from a weather app. From different themes to a customizable interface, what more could you ask for?

One of the greatest reasons for using Dark Sky was its combination of features paired with an elegant design. After Dark Sky left the Play Store, Appy Weather attempted to take the weather app's mantle while continuing to rely on Dark Sky (and other services) for its forecasts. Appy Weather succeeded in its efforts and it's certainly one of the best Android apps in the weather category. The app even won Google's "Best of 2019" for Everyday Essential thanks to its gorgeous design.

The Appy Weather app is easy to use with a unique Timeline view. There are three options on the main page to view, allowing you to switch between Hourly, Daily, and the aforementioned Timeline views. However, if you want to unlock the full potential of Appy Weather, you'll need to sign up for its Plus, Pro, or ⚡️Pro subscriptions.

The Plus subscription includes widgets, notifications, the ability to view the temperature in your status bar, and removes ads. Meanwhile, the Pro subscription offers some premium weather providers, along with custom notifications. Finally, ⚡️Pro unlocks all of the different possible map layers, including Storms, Fires, Lightning, Air Quality, and more. While Appy Weather is great enough to be used without adding another subscription to your list, you'll definitely want to subscribe to unlock the full power and versatility.

Appy Weather

Appy Weather is an absolutely gorgeous application to use, with enough features to make it an easy addition to your Home Screen. But you'll definitely want to sign up for the premium subscription to unlock its full potential.

It's one thing to have a weather app let you know when it's going to rain, but it's another thing entirely to be able to track the storm system as it rolls through. With MyRadar, you can determine just how quickly a storm system is moving through. With this information, you can decide whether you should cancel your plans, or just wait out until the storm passes through.

In addition to providing accurate radar for weather in your area, these are some of the most professional-looking radars that you'll find in any app. MyRadar even lets you customize them with different map types and layers to display different pieces of information. What also helps MyRadar stand out from the crowd is there is also aviation data from SIGMETs and AIRMETs so even pilots will know what the conditions are looking like.

MyRadar Weather Radar

MyRadar is a great option for those looking for an informative and useful weather application. From getting your basic weather forecasts to using different layers on a radar, MyRadar has everything you'll need.

Weather whenever you need it

With so many great weather apps to choose from, you won't struggle to find out just what the weather in your local area looks like, at any given moment. If we had to choose the best one, Accuweather would be our pick. Despite the inclusion of removable ads, its simplicity and design are easy to use and it offers some great features, such as the temperature bar and mapping layers.

There are many more apps to choose from if Accuweather isn't for you though, with Today Weather and 1weather also being extremely recommendable. Whatever you choose though, you can be confident that any one of these apps will give you what you need when you need those all important weather updates.

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Andrew Myrick

Andrew Myrick is a Senior Editor at Android Central. He enjoys everything to do with technology, including tablets, smartphones, and everything in between. Perhaps his favorite past-time is collecting different headphones, even if they all end up in the same drawer.

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The best weather apps for iPhone in 2023: AccuWeather, Carrot, and more

Families used to tune in to the friendly local meteorologist to find out whether they’d be able to weather the weather that week, but considering how many of us use smartphones these days, mobile apps have become one of the best ways to get the latest forecast any time you need it. Whether you’re planning a vacation, checking the weather on your road trip, or even considering evacuation in light of hurricane news, you can find a weather app to suit nearly any taste or purpose.

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Don’t just head to the App Store and start downloading, though. Not all weather apps are accurate , and it’s good to have an app that you can rely on in a crisis. That’s why we did some digging to find the best, most accurate weather apps available for the iPhone — no matter if you have an iPhone 14 , iPhone 14 Pro , or a much older model. Not an Apple user? Check out the best weather apps for Android . Looking to focus on hurricane warning apps? Then check out our list of the best hurricane-tracking apps for an even deeper dive into the options that are available.

Apple Weather

Apple has offered its own built-in weather app since the very first iPhone debuted in 2007 . For years, Apple Weather has been a reliable but basic app. It was always handy for getting the temperature and a casual forecast, but folks looking for more detailed info were forced to turn to a third-party app.

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While Apple added some nice polish to its Weather app in later iOS versions, it really upped its game a couple of years ago when it acquired Dark Sky , one of the most popular weather apps on the App Store. Suddenly, the built-in Weather app became much more accurate and began incorporating some of Dark Sky’s best features, such as next-hour precipitation forecasts and severe weather alerts. By the time iOS 15 was released in 2021, Apple Weather had also added full-screen weather maps showing expected precipitation, air quality, and temperature, with next-hour rain visualizations in most of the U.S., U.K., and parts of Canada.

Apple topped that all off with a stunning new design with animated backgrounds that show realistic sun and cloud coverage for your selected location, plus some nifty animations for rain and snow. Apple Weather is now one of the most attractive, useful, and accurate weather apps available, pulling weather data from a wide variety of sources . If its humble beginnings have left you dismissive of it, it’s definitely worth another look.

The Weather Channel

How could The Weather Channel’s app not make our list? It’s free, comprehensive, and has just about everything you need to keep an eye on the sky. The app tracks storms and gives you real-time updates so you can plan for your safety. It automatically changes based on your current location and provides the current weather and hourly weather up to two days in advance. It can also handle forecasts up to 15 days in advance, giving you plenty of time to plan your travels. Another safety feature notifies you of severe weather to minimize the risk of being stuck in a crisis.

You’ll feel secure knowing the app provides information about COVID cases in your area and lets you monitor flu risk in your surroundings. Those who suffer from allergies will find the app useful, too, as will outdoor enthusiasts, as the app tells you whether the weather is right for a variety of outdoor activities, which change based on the season. You can also use it to tap into exclusive web content and video recorded directly from The Weather Channel’s TV broadcasts, and you can get additional features at $5 a month or $30 a year.

Download The Weather Channel

AccuWeather

AccuWeather gets high marks from us not only for its simplicity but also for being so comprehensive. While the app is no-frills, just about any kind of weather information you might need is at your fingertips with AccuWeather.  It tracks hurricanes, storms, snow, and pretty much anything you might want to keep an eye on. You can look up information regarding both sunrise and sunset, in addition to allergy conditions, and there are news and video clips about the current weather cycle. You can also send in your own weather reports and videos if you feel like contributing, and AccuWeather may feature your videos in its news reports.

The app promises long-term forecasts, going as far as 45 days ahead, so you can plan any trips quite in advance. You can also track the local air quality index if you’re concerned about pollution. Beyond the free features, you can pay $9 per year for AccuWeather Premium to remove ads from the app. Alternatively, you can pay $20/year for Premium+ to get hyperlocal AccuWeather Alerts, in addition to helpful iOS 16 lock screen widgets .

Download AccuWeather

Carrot Weather

For folks who like a little bit of personality with their forecast, there’s the popular Carrot Weather. Each day’s weather is accompanied by commentary from the Carrot Weather bot, ranging from polite, professional, and whimsical to downright homicidal.

There’s more to this app than just its snarky attitude, though. Carrot Weather provides highly accurate weather information and forecasts from a variety of sources, and unlike most other weather apps, you can choose which ones to use. Some of these require a subscription since weather data doesn’t come cheap, and Carrot’s developer needs to pay for it somehow, but it’s still quite a list. It even includes Apple Weather, so you can get advanced features like next-hour precipitation warnings and 10-day forecasts. Subscribers to the highest Premium Ultra tier will even get lightning strike and storm cell notifications, along with the ability to see and choose individual U.S. radar stations on the weather maps.

Carrot also offers a unique Time Travel feature that lets you take a look back in history to see what the weather was like on a different day. What’s interesting is that this is a feature that’s also powered by Apple Weather — likely inherited from Dark Sky — yet it’s not available in Apple’s own Weather app. Lastly, Carrot Weather also offers a huge degree of customizability and themes and includes one of the best weather apps available for the Apple Watch.

Download Carrot Weather

(Not Boring) Weather

What Carrot Weather offers in personality, Not Boring Weather offers in design. A minimalist user interface belies just how much is hidden behind the scenes. Rather than the relatively static interface that most weather apps offer, Not Boring Weather uses 3D fonts, animation, and sounds inspired by video games to present the day’s weather in a whole new way. You’ll get to hear the rain and feel the thunder as you scrub through the day’s forecast, or just swipe to play with the current weather. There’s even a built-in Cloudburst game to add an extra bit of whimsy.

Don’t let the simplistic design fool you, though. Not Boring Weather pulls the same weather data as every other app to create a realistic weather simulation. Cloud coverage, wind speed, precipitation, and visibility are all factored in, and a simple tap will let you see the details by number. It’s an accurate look at the weather presented in a much more creative way.

Download (Not Boring) Weather

Our next app doesn’t tell you the temperature, nor will it provide you with a forecast. In fact, RadarScope is pretty one-dimensional — it shows you the radar, and that’s it. Nonetheless, it excels at this one and only function. This is one of the most useful apps you can use if you’re interested in keeping an eye on storms. The highly-accurate radar images refresh every two to 10 minutes, with storm warnings on top for added convenience. You also have access to a wealth of other radar statistics, such as velocity, precipitation estimates, and nearly a dozen other metrics, most of which you can’t find in standard weather apps.

RadarScope doesn’t come cheap; it’s an up-front $10 purchase, and you’ll likely want to subscribe to at least RadarScope Pro Tier 1 if you want to get any serious use from it. This $10 per year subscription level gets you lightning and dual-pane radar data, plus the ability to loop up to 30 frames, giving you quick access to more than two hours of data. Tier One subscribers also have access to a data interrogation tool to quickly determine data values for specific radar pixels, plus an optional multi-pane mode for comparing up to four radar maps simultaneously.

A $15 per month Tier 2 subscription offers all the features of the first tier along with 50-frame loops, advanced tools like SPC outlooks, mesoscale discussions, local storm reports, hail size and probability contours, and azimuthal shear contours in the U.S., a 30-day archive of all radar products, and the ability to use subscription features across multiple platforms. It’s geeky stuff, but it’s not a bad deal if you’re looking for that kind of data.

Download RadarScope

This beautifully crafted weather app manages to display an enormous amount of data without feeling too cluttered or technical. You get a storm tracker, tornado warnings, and temperature changes so you can stay ahead of any imminent weather problems. There’s an hourly forecast for the next 48 hours, an extended 10-day forecast, and even a 12-week forecast for really planning ahead. It covers everything from wind speed and direction to barometric pressure and allows you to simultaneously track the weather at up to 12 different locations.

If you just want a simple, at-a-glance forecast, 1Weather has you covered — but you can also dig into radar maps, graphs, moon phases, and a whole lot more. This app also offers informative videos, marine and aviation forecasts, and customizable weather alerts. There’s even a handy widget to check the weather from your home screen.

1Weather might take the cake as the best free weather app out there. As a free weather app, 1Weather is tough to beat. It does have ads, but they’re not too intrusive, and you can always pay $2 for the Pro version and get rid of them. Regardless of the ads, you’ll get all the pertinent weather information you need with 1Weather.

Download 1Weather

What the Forecast?!!

There’s no better way to break the bad news of a rainy, cold day than with a little comic relief, which is an entertaining feature of the weather app What the Forecast?!!. T his 2018 People’s Choice Webby Award-winning app offers strong forecasting with daily forecasts for up to 10 days, hourly forecasts for 48 hours, air quality, the current moon phase, NOAA weather alerts, and more.

But the real headline feature is the tongue-in-cheek phrases that describe the current weather conditions. The app has over 12,607 phrases to describe the weather, air quality, and alerts, but you can also censor the app slightly by eliminating curse words and profane language. Not only is it amusing, but it is also educational, enlightening any ignorance you may have on weather vocabulary. WTF?!! has a glossary explaining the weather terms used, and you can also share the weather reports on your social media accounts to add a social component to your typical weather app experience.

Download What the Forecast?!!

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Jesse Hollington

Jesse has been a technology enthusiast for his entire life — he probably would have been born with an iPhone in his hand had they existed back then — and a fan of all things Apple since he got his first iPod in 2004. He worked as a full-time Senior Editor for iLounge for over ten years, where he wrote about all things iPhone and iPad, including reviewing products and writing tutorials. Jesse later joined Lifewire , where he handled roundups and reviews of computer networking gear, while still keeping a hand in covering the world of Apple devices for iDropNews . Jesse has also authored three editions of iPod & iTunes Portable Genius for Wiley Publishing.

Mark Jansen

Mark Jansen is an avid follower of everything that beeps, bloops, or makes pretty lights. He has a degree in Ancient & Medieval History, which obviously makes him a shoo-in to write about technology for a living. He currently contributes to the Mobile section on Digital Trends, with a particular emphasis and expertise on exploring the weirder side of smartphones, from tiny rugged phones to massive gaming phones. You'll most often find him seeking out leaks and rumors on upcoming devices, and playing with a variety of new apps for both Android and iOS.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (left) and Google Pixel 8 Pro Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Smartphones tend to have pretty good camera systems these days, whether you're talking about the very latest Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the iPhone 14. But even the perfect photo can sometimes need a little additional pizazz. A little extra sparkle can come in the form of a simple color filter, artificially added background blur, or can extend as far as diving into an image's levels and other advanced features. Heck, now that we're in the AI era, it can also include using a tool to transpose yourself into a medieval setting or swapping a face with a friend.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the latest smartphone from Apple and boasts a 6.7-inch screen and a durable titanium casing. However, even with its sturdy design, the phone can still suffer from accidental damage such as cracking or shattering. To ensure that your phone stays in good condition and lasts longer, it's important to invest in a protective case.

To help you with your selection, we have put together a list of the 20 best iPhone 15 Pro Max cases. These cases have been carefully selected based on their durability, design, and functionality. Whether you're looking for a slim and stylish case or a heavy-duty one that can withstand extreme conditions, we've got you covered.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are two of the best options to enjoy Apple's smartphone world. These are the top-of-the-line iPhones available, equipped with all the latest features, and – excitingly for anyone who also uses a laptop or iPad – a USB-C port at the bottom. The iPhone 15 Pro is the phone to go for if you want great performance matched with a more manageable 6.1-inch display, and many would argue that it's the perfect combination of size and power.

It is important to protect your device from accidental drops and scratches, especially since it is an expensive phone that costs $1,000. Thankfully, you can easily safeguard your investment by using a protective case that can withstand the usual hazards of daily use, such as bumps and scratches. We offer a variety of case options to choose from, including slim cases and rugged cases for maximum protection. Take a look, and you're sure to find something you'll love.

6 Weather Apps That Professionals Actually Use

You can never be too prepared, so it’s a good idea to use or download the best possible weather app on your phone if you want more details on, say, what to wear for the day outside, future forecasts, air quality indicators, radar images or severe weather alerts and warnings.

As climate change continues, weather may only be getting more difficult to predict . Here are six weather apps that meteorologists and other weather-dependent professionals swear by for accurate forecasts and information.

1. Weather.gov

best weather app for travel

Anthony Torres, a meteorologist and the director of science at Currently , a weather service, mainly relies on data and meteorologist-specific weather prediction models to prepare accurate weather forecasts and reports.

However, in a pinch, he uses the National Weather Service’s Weather.gov.

“If I haven’t put together a forecast, I use Weather.gov because I know that whoever put that forecast together is a meteorologist,” Torres said. “I don’t necessarily trust any particular model or computer output because there are things that computers can’t tell the difference yet with, and so having a meteorologist put together the forecast is usually my first step if I don’t have the time to do it myself.”

Although it’s technically a mobile site, rather than an app, you can similarly add Weather.gov to your phone’s home screen . iPhone users should navigate to mobile.weather.gov on their phone’s web browser, then click the “send” button at the bottom of the screen to choose “add to home screen.” Instructions for Android users are similar .

2. RadarScope

best weather app for travel

Torres also likes RadarScope because it gives users access to satellite and radar so they can see where it’s cloudy or rainy or storming.

Though this app “tends to be a bit more on the technical side,” it’s helpful to meteorologists like Torres as it allows them to see exactly what the radar is seeing.

“I can do analysis on the data as soon as it comes in on my phone,” Torres said. “It’s really convenient.”

Gary Szatkowski, former meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service and current Philadelphia forecaster at Currently, also uses RadarScope when he’s in a hurry.

“If you’re really into radar data, particularly the Doppler part of it, which shows you the winds and stuff, not just rain or snow, but more details about what the atmosphere is doing, RadarScope is a good option.”

best weather app for travel

Carly Ruff, a day-of wedding coordinator based in Florida, prefers Apple’s Weather app on her iPhone.

A reliable weather app is especially important to Ruff, as she often coordinates both outdoor and indoor weddings, and she needs to know what weather to expect long before the event. As a day-of wedding coordinator, couples go to Ruff when they’ve planned almost their entire wedding and need help sorting things out over the last few months leading up to the big event.

“These weather apps are super important for me because I need to know if I need to get my couples a tent or not,” Ruff said, laughing.

She also noted the weather is usually “unpredictable” in Florida, so Ruff likes being able to rely on an app. “I’ve had a lot of instances where it says it’s going to rain all day and then it doesn’t, or it says it’s going to be a beautiful day, and then at the last minute it does rain,” Ruff said.

She said she appreciates Weather’s interface and the hourly view, as it lets her know exactly when she can expect rain or some other weather event. The app also marks the time of sunset each day, so she can let photographers know to take pictures around that time.

“Weather tells me exactly what’s happening when, which is super important for me because I need to know if we need to delay the ceremony at all,” Ruff said. “Or a few days before the wedding, if [the chance of rain] is looking like it’s over 70%, then I know that I should recommend the couple rent a tent or find a plan B.”

Ruff also likes using the app to check humidity levels so she can let makeup artists and hairstylists know beforehand, so they can figure out how to adjust.

“If it’s extremely high humidity, the curls aren’t going to hold as well, so I let the hair team know how much hair spray they’re going to need,” she said, laughing. “That’s a fun little trick.”

4. AccuWeather

best weather app for travel

Ruff also likes AccuWeather as a second resource for radar purposes, so she can properly track any unexpected weather patterns.

“You just don’t know if it’s raining literally two miles away, but it doesn’t hit you on the beach.”

She primarily uses the app on the actual day of the wedding.

“If the ceremony is at 3 p.m., and I see dark clouds, I will pull up the app to see where that weather and rain are traveling,” Ruff said. “I need to see which direction it’s going in and if it’s getting closer to us, because then that ultimately means we need to either delay the ceremony or quickly find a plan B.”

best weather app for travel

Megan Montero, chief meteorologist at Currently, also heavily relies on meteorologist-specific data and models. However, she is fond of Windy, a professional weather app that provides weather radar and forecasts specifically for wind and water sports.

She likes that Windy is part model data and appreciates its clean way of presenting weather information.

“It just looks better, so it’s good to look at for a quick glance,” Montero said. “With traditional forecast data, I have to open up one model at a time, so Windy is great to use alongside those. It doesn’t really help me get or interpret forecast information, but just provides an easy way to look at all the model data at once.”

Montero said Windy is particularly good for non-scientists, as it has everything users would see in a normal weather app, but has feature add-ons to customize weather information viewing experiences. For example, users can look at the skycams in their area, wind maps, wind compasses, and wave forecasts as well.

6. What The Forecast?!!

best weather app for travel

Rukmini Kalamangalam, a community organizer for Atlanta’s chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice, likes using the voice-y What The Forecast app. Whether she’s canvassing or organizing an event or drive, Kalamangalam frequently has to be outdoors for her job and likes knowing what to expect.

She said she appreciates What The Forecast because it has accurate weather and precipitation forecasts and weather alerts, as well as thousands of non-jargon-y phrases to describe the current conditions. It lets you know whether you need to bring an umbrella, spend some time in the sun, or if you should just go back to bed.

“The app tells you the weather by cussing at you, and I like it because I feel like most weather apps are really boring and stale, and I prefer for my weather news to be a little quirky,” Kalamangalam said.

She also appreciates how the app helps her prepare for the weather outside, rather than just inform her of it.

“If it’s, say, 30 degrees outside, the app will tell me to throw on a coat, or if it’s hot outside, it’ll tell me to get ready to sweat,” Kalamangalam said. “[Otherwise] sometimes I look at the weather, and I don’t really internalize it. Like if a forecast says it’s 56 degrees, I don’t really know what that means. Then I go outside and it’s cold or windy, and I’m unprepared. It’s nice to have a little reminder to do something about the weather.”

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best weather app for travel

The best iPhone apps of 2023

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The best travel and weather apps for iPhone

Our favorite iPhone apps for planning a holiday, currency conversion, weather forecasts and mapping.

Screenshots showing Currenzy on iPhone

  • $4.99/£4.49/AU$7.99

Currenzy isn’t your typical currency converter. Sure, it’s got the basics down: a calculator interface; a means to check out how a currency has performed against another; widgets; a way to define favorites. But the app goes much further than its contemporaries.

If you regularly perform certain actions, they can be stashed as big, tappable buttons, thereby speeding things up immeasurably. The app also has support for custom exchange rates and fees. Additionally, it works inside Safari, letting you convert prices on web pages from the currency that’s displayed to the one you need.

Along with all those things, Currenzy looks great too, making it the king of currency converters – and at a reasonable price for an app of such high quality.

CARROT Weather

CARROT Weather

CARROT Weather provides forecasts laced with snark from the CARROT AI, which has all the grace of a deranged HAL 9000. Rainfall predictions arrive with a message that it “sucks to be you”. Sunny days? “I brought out the sun so I can blind you with it.” Nice.

But CARROT Weather is more than a gimmick. It has best-in-class visual design and a powerful customization system. You get a wide range of panels and components to adjust and arrange to your liking. And when using the app, a long-press almost anywhere provides access to further data or useful settings.

All this – along with superb widgets and Apple Watch features – comes at a price: an annual subscription of $19.99/£19.49/AU$32.99. But if you care about the weather and want the best weather app around, this one’s worth the outlay.

Weather on the Way

Weather on the Way

  • Free or $0.99/£0.99/AU$1.49 monthly

Weather on the Way is a weather app for road trips. Define start and end points and your route is displayed on a map. However, unlike in Apple Maps, weather symbols appear at periodic intervals, with temperature and conditions at each location alongside the estimated time you’ll drive through. 

Everything’s usable and clear, weather alerts are integrated to warn you about potential problems, and there’s a linear timeline displayed when you press a massive button. This adds further details, including visibility and UV. Neatly, this timeline can be shared as an image.

The app gives you three journeys with full functionality for free. Subsequent journey information becomes more limited if you don’t pay, and you get stuck with a single route for each search. However, the low monthly IAP cost means you can always pay for this one when you need it, and unsubscribe when you don’t.

Dark Sky Weather

Dark Sky Weather

  • US$3.99/£3.99

Dark Sky Weather started out primarily as a rainfall tracker, with luminous clouds billowing over a dark background map. Now, the app is much more conventional – but arguably massively more useful.

The main forecast page shows current conditions and a local map. Usefully, little arrows denote the direction a storm’s heading, so you can always spot that at a glance, rather than having to check the full animated rainfall view. Below that you get rainfall predictions for the hour, the daily forecast, and a weekly outlook. It’s all very sleek, efficient and usable.

The app’s accuracy may vary by location, but during testing in various countries we’ve found its rainfall predictions to be spot-on. It’s also a nicely flexible app regarding warnings – several notifications are built in, and you can add your own based on a range of weather conditions.

V for Wikipedia

V for Wikipedia

  • $5.99/£5.99/AU$9.99

V for Wikipedia is a Wikipedia reader. That in itself might sound like an odd recommendation for a premium app, but bear with us.

Although V can be used to search Wikipedia in the normal way, it starts off in its Nearby tab, flagging articles of interest in your vicinity. This looks great, tabs snaking their way from map locations to large thumbnails. It’s practical, too, for finding out more about the local area, without resorting to review-oriented web services.

This sense of polish extends to the article views. Typography and layout are first class, and a slide-in contents list is only a tap away. So while you might narrow your eyes at the prospect of paying for a Wikipedia reader, Viki will have said eyes busily and regularly reading the world’s most dynamic encyclopedia.

WeatherPro

  • $0.99/79p/AU$0.99

WeatherPro is a weather app designed for people who favor information density over aesthetics. That’s not to say WeatherPro looks bad – its white-on-blue stylings are perfectly nice. But where it excels is in providing fast access to a wealth of weather data.

For any selected location, a single screen shows the current conditions, a local radar, upcoming predictions and then a forecast for the coming week. The latter packs temperatures, sun hours, precipitation forecasts and wind speeds into a tiny space.

In pretty much all cases, tapping on something lets you delve into even more information, and additional taps provide layered mapping and radar services. Accessing some layers requires an IAP subscription, but just the bare-bones WeatherPro is a great buy if you want at-a-glance forecasts packed with detail.

Citymapper

Citymapper is a navigation aid for finding your way around big cities. It doesn’t cover the entire globe, but is instead focused on a handful of major destinations, such as New York, Chicago, Tokyo, London, Paris and Sydney. Locations are periodically added by way of user votes.

If you live in or visit a supported city, Citymapper is superb for helping you find your way around more efficiently. The app quickly finds where you are and offers options – in real-time – of how to reach your intended target.

And small details really help it stand out, such as you being able to track the location of a bus you’re waiting for, alerts that blare when your stop’s coming up, and even recommendations of the best carriage to get on – and the fastest station exit to use.

Google Maps

Google Maps

Google Maps is the best mapping app on iPhone.

It’s extremely good at locating places you want to visit, be that a distant town or a point of interest like a restaurant or store. When it comes to turn-by-turn driving directions, the voiceovers lack the nuance of Apple’s Maps, but the actual directions tend to be more helpful when it comes to dealing with incidents like congestion.

Google Maps is great for planning and non-car use, too. There are reviews and recommendations for places to go, public transport routing, and Street View – a navigable 3D street-level map for scoping out landmarks that proves handy when traveling somewhere or visiting a new place.

Importantly, you can also download chunks of map for offline use, turning Google Maps into a turn-by-turn navigator even when you lack a data connection.

Elk

  • $3.99/£3.99/AU$5.99

We’ve lost count of how many currency converters exist on the App Store, but it’s vanishingly rare to see anyone try something properly different.

Elk bucks the trend, with a unique interface and approach that might not appeal to traders, but feels very much like currency conversion for the rest of us.

On firing up the app, you select your two currencies and it offers a list of current rate conversions. For USD to EUR, for example, you get a list of the rates for one through ten dollars. Swiping from the right increases these values by ten. To access rates between two values, tap an entry.

Smartly, you can also input a fixed rate, for example to track your spending on a holiday when you’ve already got your cash. Most of the features are behind a paywall, but a 14-day trial lets you try them for free.

Poison Maps

Poison Maps

  • $1.99/£1.99/AU$2.99

This one’s all about ‘points of interest’, hence the name – Poison Maps (‘POIs on maps’). Essentially, it’s a wealth of information from OpenStreetMap shoved into an app and twinned with an interface that makes it a cinch to drill down into categories.

So, mooching about London and fancy a bite to eat? Tap on the food and drink icon. Something quick? Tap Fast Food. Pizza? Sounds good.

Each tap filters the POIs and navigation buttons displayed, and arrows point at nearby locations when you’re zoomed in. Everything’s extremely responsive, and the maps and icons are clear and easy to read. Other nice bits include a full-screen mode, a search function, and public transport overlays.

The only snag is Poison Maps is a gargantuan install – well over 1GB. If that’s a bit rich, smaller regional alternatives by the same developer exist, each being a free download with a small IAP to unlock all categories.

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Best road trip apps

Take these apps with you when you hit the road

best weather app for travel

Hit the Road With These Top Android and iOS Apps

Whether it's trips back home or just a drive up to the mountains to enjoy some snow (and maybe a little skiing ), make sure your smartphone is riding shotgun. A number of Android and iOS apps can help with your next road trip by tackling everything from navigation to trip planning. Try out some of these apps the next time you hit the highway to make your next drive a hassle-free experience. ( Photo Credit: Syda Productions/Shutterstock )

Android Auto (Android: Free)

Android Auto (Android: Free)

Designed to make it easier to use your apps and phone services while on the road, Android Auto used to be the province of cars with connected dashboard displays, but you can use Android Auto's simplified interface and voice commands straight from your phone's screen. Just mount your Android phone on a cradle or lock, and you're all set. Android Auto is designed to work with Google Maps, Play Music, and numerous other apps to help you navigate, control music playback, answer your phone or send off quick replies without becoming a distracted driver. With expanded Google Assistant controls, Android Auto just keeps getting better and better. A redesigned interface makes  it easier to find the apps you want.

Waze (Android, iOS: Free)

Waze (Android, iOS: Free)

Waze ( Android , iOS ) is a crowd-sourced traffic map and navigation app. Users can check out traffic conditions based on real-time information from other Waze users, complete with reports on road hazards, accidents, speed traps and more. You can also report any incidents you encounter. Best of all, Waze includes guided turn-by-turn navigation that take traffic conditions into account.

GasBuddy (Android, iOS: Free)

GasBuddy (Android, iOS: Free)

Long road trips mean you're going to need to fill up multiple times, so finding inexpensive gasoline and reliable filling stations is a must. Motorists in the U.S. and Canada stand to save some serious change with GasBuddy ( Android , iOS ), a mobile app that helps users track down the cheapest nearby gas station from their present location. As many of the prices are based on user reports, GasBuddy rewards users with points for reporting and updating a station's prices. Those points make you eligible for regular raffles of prizes, like free gas. Brave early adopters of electric vehicles can instead give Plugshare ( Android , iOS ) a try: it lets you look up and review nearby charging stations for your electric car.

TollSmart (Android, iOS: $2.99 monthly)

TollSmart (Android, iOS: $2.99 monthly)

Road tolls can add an unexpected chunk to your travel costs. TollSmart ( Android , iOS ) is a neat trip-planning app that allows you to quickly look up the price of all toll bridges, roadways, and tunnels from start to destination. The app allows you to create profiles for a variety of vehicles from the family sedan all the way up to nine-axle vehicles to calculate vehicle-based toll rates. The app also includes support for a variety of transponder-based systems like E-ZPass. Users can automatically log in toll rates in the app's TollTracker system for easy expense report logging. An in-app purchase provides you the ability to compare tolls across multiple proposed routes.

TollGuru (Android, iOS: Free)

TollGuru (Android, iOS: Free)

Another handy trip planning and toll assistant app is TollGuru ( Android , iOS ), which helps users calculate the cheapest and fastest toll routes, as well as estimates of fuel consumption based on your vehicle. Simply set your starting point and destination, and the app can help you figure out the fastest or cheapest route (integrating with other navigation apps), show you the applicable tolls, and even factor in tolls at departure time for peak and off-peak rates, factoring in payment options like cash or transponder tags. Users can save the make and model of their vehicle, edit MPG fuel efficiency rates, and even set fuel prices to estimate their costs. The app covers the USA, Canada, and India.

iExit (Android, iOS: Free)

iExit (Android, iOS: Free)

Need to grab a bite to eat, withdraw some cash from an ATM, or catch some winks before the next leg of your road trip? iExit Interstate Exit Guide ( Android , iOS ) helps you plan your next pitstop, displaying handy pictographs of businesses and amenities in upcoming interstate exits. Users can search for specific businesses, display locations on an on-screen map, view gas prices, or find amenities like Wi-Fi, truck parking or campgrounds.

Drivvo (Android, iOS: Free)

Drivvo (Android, iOS: Free)

Drivvo ( Android ,  iOS ) functions as a helpful car maintenance logbook, helping users log in details like fuel consumption, odometer readings, and any preventive maintenance measures and repairs. You can record your gas top-ups, expenses, and set reminders for repairs, servicing and regular maintenance. The app also includes a crowd-sourced feature for finding out the cheapest gas prices near you. The app is free and ad-supported, with a premium subscription removing advertising and providing extras like cloud synchronization across multiple devices and data export.

DailyRoads Voyager (Android)

DailyRoads Voyager (Android)

DailyRoads Voyager turns your Android phone into a budget dashcam, allowing you to record video or photos of your trip in the event of an accident or any other unfortunate situation. You can define the video quality, user-defined storage size and cyclic storage (so that your internal memory never fills up). The app offers time-stamping and geotagging of your recordings, along with speed and elevation. The app is ad-supported, with a premium version that removes advertising.

MileIQ (Android, iOS: Free)

MileIQ (Android, iOS: Free)

Not every drive is a personal trip or vacation. If you need to track your mileage for business trips and tax purposes, check out MileIQ ( Android , iOS ), an automatic mileage-tracking app that takes advantage of your smartphone's GPS and motion sensors to automatically log your trips, complete with map information, destinations, and purpose of trip. The app also provides exportable spreadsheets and reports so you can easily plug them in for your business records and tax purposes. The free tier allows you to log 40 free trips per month, with premium tiers (starting at $5.99 per month) offering unlimited trip logging.

PackPoint (Android, iOS: Free)

PackPoint (Android, iOS: Free)

If you're going to be on the road and away from home for more than a few days, it helps to make sure that you're properly packed for the trip. PackPoint ( Android ,  iOS ) is a travel packing wizard that provides a checklist of travel essentials that you need to pack, depending on the nature of your trip. Users simply create a trip profile, with their destination, length of stay and purpose of travel. PackPoint then creates a customized packing and luggage checklist that takes into account whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, the type and amount of clothing to pack based on the weather forecast and other factors. The app also comes with premium features, such as TripIt integration for automatic packing list creation.

RoadTrippers (Android, iOS: Free)

RoadTrippers (Android, iOS: Free)

Roadtrippers ( Android , iOS ) is another useful resource for road trip planning, helping users find everything from diners and dives to hotels, restaurants, national parks, roadside attractions and other scenic points of interest. Users can plan out trips in the app or its web portal, saving locations and stops into a trip plan which you can sync across multiple devices for easy reference.

Roadside America (iOS; $2.99)

Roadside America (iOS; $2.99)

When it comes to tourist traps, oddities, and roadside attractions, America is a country blessed. The Roadside America app is a rich database of the weird and the wonderful sites along the road, from muffler men to quirky museums, scenic vistas, and historical landmarks. Users can explore the map, search by geographic proximity, name, or by theme. Purchasing the app allows you to unlock one of 7 different US regions or Canada, with in-app purchases unlocking more regions or the entire package.

INRIX ParkMe (Android, iOS: Free)

INRIX ParkMe (Android, iOS: Free)

Finding parking spaces in a strange city can be a hassle. Enter INRIX ParkMe ( Android , iOS ), which helps you search for the nearest and cheapest parking options with the help of your phone's location sensors. You can check out parking rates, including daily and monthly rates, set a parking timer so you'll never forget to refill the meter, find out parking space availability where provided by the building or garage and even reserve and pay for a parking slot with your phone.

SpotAngels (Android, iOS: Free)

SpotAngels (Android, iOS: Free)

Another option for on-demand car parking data is SpotAngels ( Android , iOS ), which provides crowd-sourced maps of free and paid parking locations. Included data also features lot rules, known fees, and other parameters that you can search on a map. Users can also book parking with partner parking garages and services when they can’t find a free slot. SpotAngels can remember your car’s parking spot using your car’s Bluetooth or phone sensors, and the app can remind you to move your car during street cleaning hours or whenever other parking restrictions are in place.

Spotify (Android, iOS: Free)

Spotify (Android, iOS: Free)

Road trips are an excuse to listen to some great road music. Spotify ( Android , iOS ) can relieve the tedium of the drive and set the mood with on-demand music, curated streams and playlists and a rich library of artists and bands to listen to. You'll want the $9.99-a-month premium subscription, which removes ads, and most importantly, allows you to download music for offline listening so you can skip mobile data charges.

Audible (Android, iOS: $14.95 monthly)

Audible (Android, iOS: $14.95 monthly)

If audiobooks are more your thing, there's also Amazon's Audible audiobook service ( Android , iOS ) to consider. Featuring a library of more than 180,000 audiobooks, Audible is a powerhouse in the field, and the mobile app offers solid playback controls, complete with chapter and bookmark controls, multitasking support for background playback, and the ability to download audiobooks to your device for offline listening.

Pocket Casts (Android, iOS; $3.99)

Pocket Casts (Android, iOS; $3.99)

What about taking your podcasts on the road? Try Pocket Casts ( Android , iOS ), which neatly combines style and function with an attractive design that showcases subscribed podcasts in tile format. Tap on a square to bring up an episode list and download options . A smart playlisting feature helps you sort and categorize your downloaded content for easy listening. The app also includes a variety of library organization features, support for streaming, and the option to download full episodes so that you don't have to use up your mobile data cap while on the road.

HotelTonight (Android, iOS: Free)

HotelTonight (Android, iOS: Free)

Ideally, you've got your accommodations and itinerary planned out on long road trips, but even the best laid plans can go wrong. If you suddenly need to look for last minute hotel rooms, HotelTonight ( Android , iOS ) is going to be a lifesaver, offering users last-minute discounts on vacancies and same night accommodations from top-rated hotels. Users can search by category and quality such as Basic, Hip or Luxe, view information on nearby hotels, and quickly book accommodations from within the app.

Yelp! (Android, iOS: Free)

Yelp! (Android, iOS: Free)

If you're looking for a place to eat or shop in an unfamiliar town, it's hard to go wrong with Yelp ( Android ,  iOS ), which provides local reviews for more than 135 million restaurants and businesses worldwide. You can quickly check out reviews of nearby restaurants and diners, consult their menus, make a reservation or order delivery, or use the app to find nearby car services that you might need on the road, like a body shop or auto repair workshop.

Flush Toilet Finder (Android, iOS: Free)

Flush Toilet Finder (Android, iOS: Free)

The idea of an app for finding restrooms and toilets might, at first blush, seem silly, until you find yourself out on a road trip, about to enter what may or may not be an absolutely filthy restroom. Enter Flush Toilet Finder ( Android , iOS ), an app that uses your location sensors and checks its database of more than 200,000 public and paid toilets worldwide, showing you nearby toilets on a map, with information such as whether the toilet requires a fee or key or includes handicapped access. Neat features include the fact that Flush Toilet Finder functions even when offline; it can integrate with Google Maps to provide directions to a selected restroom.

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best weather app for travel

The Winding Road Tripper

Best Weather App for Your Road Trip

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

As you are about to embark on your road trip, you’ll probably want to know what kind of weather you’ll encounter along your route. 

Knowing the driving conditions in advance of your road trip will help you choose the safest route and give you peace of mind. 

We realized the importance of this on a recent December road trip from Milwaukee, WI to Utah. Because we were traveling in the winter, we wanted to make sure we weren’t going to run into any snowstorms, especially in the mountainous regions. 

It was not easy to find the information I needed using traditional weather apps like Accuweather or Dark Sky. With these apps, I had to think about when we would be in specific cities and then look up each forecast for that specific day and time. It was a pain.

But I then found exactly what I was looking for. 

I found weather apps that can show you the weather forecast for each location at the time you are expected to pass through them. Wait, what????

These apps helped us pick the safest route and plan our departure time appropriately to avoid inclement weather conditions. 

There are several weather apps for road trips out there for both iPhone and Android. 

We tested out 3 apps that allow you to easily check the weather along your driving route to help you arrive safely at your destination. 

OUR TOP PICK – Weather On The Way

Weather On The Way is a clean and easy-to-use weather app that displays the weather conditions along your route for the days and times you are expected to drive through.  It also gives you the option of selecting alternative routes (shown below with the grey line) if the weather isn’t looking the safest on the fastest route.

Screen shot of Weather on the Way App showing the weather forecast for a road trip from Milwaukee to Utah

This app shows you a snapshot of the weather along your road trip route as well as any weather alerts that would be in effect when you pass through. You can also view the radar to see any current precipitation and which way it’s headed.

Overall, we highly recommend this app. It has a user-friendly interface and the addition of weather alerts is worth the subscription fee.

Cost for Pro Version: $2.99/month or $16.99/year

  • Available in 70+ countries
  • Can test out Pro Version 5 times before purchasing
  • Ability to add planned stops song your route, along with the amount of time stopped, to ensure accurate weather prediction timing
  • Ability to adjust departure date (up to 7 days in advance)
  • Limited abilities with the free version.

Available on:  Apple

Drive Weather – An Acceptable Option

The Drive Weather app is also an easy-to-use app full of weather info that will help you get to your destination safely. 

As with Weather On the Way, you can enter your destination and all of the stops along the way. The app then shows the weather forecast at the expected time you will get to each point on a trip.

Screen shot of Drive Weather App showing the temperature along a road trip route from Milwaukee to West Virginia

The app has an easy-to-read map with options to view the radar, temperature, wind speeds, and precipitation you may run into along the route. The interface is a little clunky, but still does the job it was intended to do. 

Overall, this app has a lot of useful features if you’re willing to pay for the annual subscription of $9.99

  • Option to adjust travel speed for more accurate weather predictions
  • Free version has limited abilities

Available on: Android and Apple

Highway Weather – Best Free Option

Highway Weather will show you the weather along your route for the time you will be traveling through, however it’s a bit clunky . 

The best part about this app is that it gives you quite a few features with the free version. 

Screen shot of Highway Weather App showing weather timeline of road trip from Milwaukee, WI to Park City, UT

The app provides suggestions on the best time to leave and allows you to pick your mode of transportation such as car, small truck, or motorcycle as these affect your travel speed. 

  • Easy to adjust the departure time up to 5 days in advance
  • Get a lot with the free version
  • Available outside of the US
  • Can’t change the order of stops once entered. You can reverse the order but can’t add stops or change the order of the stops
  • Ads clutter the interface and pop up ads disrupt the user experience

Wrapping Up

Using an app to check the weather along your travel route before and during your road trip will help you avoid stressful driving situations and get you to your destination safely.

Go ahead and download the app that you think may work best for you and give it a shot.

More Road Trip Essentials: Family Road Trip Essentials: Things You Need for a Road Trip with Kids Road Trip Food Ideas: Packable Snacks and Make-ahead Meals Road Trip Accessories You Need for Your Next Road Trip

best weather app for travel

Highway Weather 4+

Arrive safely, weather route.

  • 4.4 • 335 Ratings
  • Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Arrive Safely Travel weather forecasts for your entire road trip at the time you will arrive. Weather alerts, radar, traffic cameras, and plan for rests. Family vacation? Long-haul trucking? Touring in an RV? Heading to a motorcycle rally? Whatever your passion, we want to ensure that you arrive safely. There's nothing like the uncertainty of knowing if weather will disrupt your trip. Instead of searching for weather forecasts city-by-city, get all the information you need all at the same time, in an easy to understand display. Free features for planning a trip: • Compare forecasts for your entire trip. • No limitations on trip length. • Get recommendations for the best time to start your trip. • Adjust your departure time instantly and see updated forecasts. • View live outdoor cameras for your trip. • Get severe weather alerts along your route. • Add rest stops to long trips. • Wind and precipitation levels also inform whether travel is safe. • Global weather forecasts, for all regions of the globe. All planning features are provided free of charge! For the hands-free active driving mode, a subscription is required. • Receive automatic updates while on the road. • See updates instantly in the app. • Get notifications when the app is running in the background. • More features currently in development! Subscription Details: • Length of subscription: 1 year (with 14-day free trial period) • Price of subscription: $14.99 / Year • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user cancels a subscription. Privacy policy & terms and conditions: https://www.weatherroute.io/privacy_policy.html

Version 6.119

This release is a maintenance update to update libraries packaged with the app.

Ratings and Reviews

335 Ratings

Most recent update FIXED MARJOR ISSUE which was in the prior update.

I used to use this app for planning road trips. However, now it's completely useless because with the most recent update all I get is a black screen after touching "Drive now" and/or "Plan ahead." Instead of making improvements which make big changes, it would be much wiser to fix bugs and add minor changes. Always remember: "if it works, DON'T fix it!" Edited Monday 1009 March 2020. I replied to developer with screenshots yesterday, Sunday afternoon. Just installed update an EVERYTHING IS WORKING AS IT WAS prior to previous update. Developer FIXED IN LESS THAN 20 HOURS! OUTSTANDING! Thank you very much for your quick response to the issue about "centering" were the "x" was not on the screen on my iPad Pro and iPad Mini. I changed my rating from 1 to 5 stars.

Developer Response ,

UPDATE: I haven't heard back from this user, but I've confirmed with a test device that the way the prompts are centered is the problem; a particular centering method works well on iPads and larger iPhones, but not on smaller devices. A new iOS release will be out shortly to fix this for new users. Old users can simply restart the app and they'll have the fix. ORIGINAL: Can you please email me at [email protected] with more details? This is the first report of a black screen and it definitely sounds like like a bug that needs to be fixed. In both cases, you should be seeing two different prompts that require closing. If you're not seeing those prompts, I'll need to fix that.

THe weather/navigation app to have

Planning for a 5 - 6 hour, multiple state motorcycle ride had me trying all the best reviewed apps in this category. I can’t say enough about how much better Highway Weather is in my opinion. Not only was I able to effectively choose a great route with better weather (someone in my party chose the “fast route” using another app and regretted it), but I experienced a subscription related issue and the response I received was so much faster than I expected and a fantastic interaction. If I could rate higher than 5 stars, I would!
Thanks so, so much for the kind words, Adam! :-) Safe travels, and enjoy a summer of motorcycle trips!

Was hopeful but….do not recommend…

For the last 14-years we have traveled from the West Coast to the Mid-South multiple times a year in two days. Initially we planned our trips using The Weather Channel. When they discontinued weather conditions for the US Interstates, planning a trip became more challenging. Sites like Road Now require too much interaction for each state and exit to determine weather conditions. So, when I located your website and mapped out our route along I-40, I was pleanstly surprised with the various filters one may use to receive the information needed. Based on the information provided, we planned our trip for yesterday and today. We are approximately 2-hours from our destination and this has not been a pleasant experience. The weather conditions we encountered were not predicted. In addition, I downloaded the App, thinking that we could monitor conditions easier on the road - Icould not have been more wrong! For over 200-miles, the app and website did not register our location or, if it did, the forecast information was not available. Even as we were deak]ling with the challenging weather, the App and website did not indicate what we were experiencing. Needless to say, the App and Website Bookmark will be deleted after completing this review. This appeared to have so much potential but from someone who has extensive experience with this route, this was an epic failure.
Hi, there. Firstly, I'm really, really sorry about the experience you've had! I'd strongly encourage you to reach out directly to us a [email protected] so we can open up a proper conversation and dig into the issues you've experienced with the app. I would like to convey that we source our weather data from highly reputable sources (e.g. NOAA). And, while these sources are typically very accurate, even the most-trusted sources cannot always account for rapid changes in conditions that deviate from what was previously predicted. Additionally, we'd very much like to learn more about the application not updating as you executed your route. This typically isn't something that should happen, but I will say that the app updating is dependent on whether or not your device has access to data (either WIFI or mobile data). Without data, Highway Weather will be unable to update the latest weather data and alerts or obtain your location. Again, we're really, really sorry about the sub-par experience you've had. We'd be honored if you would reach out to us via our Support channel to see if we can dive into your specific experience further and see if we can make things right. Thanks so much!

App Privacy

The developer, Weather Route , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

  • Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

  • Subscription $2.99
  • Annual Subscription $14.99
  • Remove Ads $4.99
  • Developer Website
  • App Support
  • Privacy Policy

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22 Best Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

From tracking flight delays, finding last-minute accommodations, and even locating the nearest public restroom, these are the most helpful travel apps to download before you travel.

best weather app for travel

Using the right travel apps can help you save both time and money , while making the journey much less stressful . Many of these apps also provide local recommendations and hidden gems tourists don't often get to see — and some are completely free.

Whether you're looking for an app that will give you discounts for popular local events, offer a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport , these are the 22 best travel apps to download before your next trip.

Citymapper helps travelers find the speediest route to their destination, providing step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. You'll be able to see when the next arrivals are, and real-time routing means you'll get updates every minute. The app also has a chat feature that allows you to update friends and family on your E.T.A. wherever you are.

Available on iOS and Android .

PackPoint takes the hassle out of packing by creating a customized list of what you'll need for your getaway. Enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and activities that might require special gear, like hiking or swimming, and the app will create a custom packing list you can save for future use. Besides checking weather conditions for you, the app also allows users to share their packing lists with fellow travelers.

The beauty of Rebtel is you don't need an internet connection to call friends and family back home. The app connects to local phone lines to provide you with cheap calls in 51 countries around the world without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

If you're looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with the area's best hiking, biking, and running trails. In addition to details on length, starting location, and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from a community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. You'll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you'll find along the route, and the best scenic spots to check out.

If you find yourself in the middle of a long layover, Dayuse can get you into a hotel room for a few hours for up to 75 percent less than what the typical overnight rate would be. The app features 5,000 hotels in 23 countries, and allows you to make free cancellations at the last minute, in case you manage to catch an earlier flight.

Selections include everything from business hotels to wellness accommodations, with payments made directly when you arrive. You also get full use of the hotel's amenities for the duration of your stay.

The prices of flights can fluctuate, making it tricky to decide if you should book right away or hold off. That's where Hopper comes in, predicting the best time to find the cheapest fares, saving up to 40 percent. The app also has a price-monitoring feature so that you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if the price drops. Through Hopper, users can also compare the prices and amenities of more than 250 airlines and get alerts about airfare flash sales.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

This camping app helps you locate prime RV parks, campgrounds, rest areas, and gas stations across North America. With more than 40,000 facilities, the app sorts locations based on ratings and includes both privately-owned RV parks and public parks to choose from.

Nike Training Club

Hitting the gym while you're traveling can be tough, but with Nike Training Club , you'll feel like you have a personal trainer right in your pocket. That's because you can access hundreds of free workouts from Nike Master Trainers and celebrities like Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Audio and video clips help you make sure you're on top of your technique, while personalized training plans will keep you on track.

If you don't have much time to spare at the airport, Grab allows you to check out what food selections are near your gate, and gives you the option to pre-order your meal so you can pick it up on the way. The app currently operates at over 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of bites to choose from on your next trip.

GasBuddy is the app you'll want if you're taking a road trip. GasBuddy tracks down where to find the cheapest gas prices, allowing you to filter by price, location, brand, and amenities. It also provides you with deals at nearby convenience stores and price hike alerts so you can nail down the best prices every time.

Want to know what local events are taking place at your destination? Headout will show you the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in popular cities like New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Hawaii, Dubai, and more.

Activities range from catching a Broadway show, yoga in the hills, or taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers that can be up to 80 percent off.

If you need to access the internet during your travels, chances are you'll have to connect to public Wi-Fi, which can be sketchy. TunnelBear allows you to connect privately and securely by providing you a VPN (virtual private network) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 500MB of free browsing data each month, or you can opt for unlimited data at a low monthly rate.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is where you'll find more than 17,000 hostels, hotels, B&B's, and communal spaces in 178 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, including a Noticeboard that highlights events and meetups, and a translator that will help you communicate in up to 43 languages.

WeatherBug provides forecasts for millions of locations around the world, with current, hourly, and even 10-day options. The app also has specific weather maps to track everything from lightning and wind to pressure and humidity, and makes staying on top of changes to the weather easy with instant alerts.

Eatwith allows you to dine with locals, in their homes, all over the world. Menus are posted for you to see, while hosts will typically list what they cook, the languages they speak, and any alcohol pairings they'll be serving. Not only does the app give you a chance to meet locals and get superb dining recommendations, but it also allows you to enjoy a high-quality meal for less than what you'd typically pay at a restaurant.

Available on iOS and Android.

Trying to locate a public restroom can be tricky, especially in a new destination. That's where Flush comes in. The app has a database of more than 200,000 toilets, and quickly provides travelers with nearby bathrooms. You can search without an internet connection, and the app will also notify you if a restroom requires a fee.

While banks may charge you a fee for transferring money abroad, Wise allows you to make a transfer based on real-time currency exchanges, so you can send money at rates the company says are up to eight times cheaper than what you'd find at traditional banks.

TripIt makes it easy to put together a cohesive travel itinerary. Simply forward your confirmation emails, like your hotel and flight reservations, or your rental car reservation, and TripIt will build a full itinerary to help you stay organized with all of your plans.

With real-time alerts, you'll know if your flight is delayed or canceled, while the flight finder can help you book a new option should a cancellation occur.

Another good app for the road, Waze gives you community-based data about traffic jams, and information to locate points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you.

Xe provides live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your travels, easily allowing you to choose between different currencies you'd like to convert. It also has a rate alert so that you can monitor your favorite currencies — and it can be used offline.

Timeshifter

If you're sick of the jet lag battle that inevitably comes with travel, check out Timeshifter , an app that helps you to avoid jet lag long before your flight departs. Thanks to neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep, the app provides personalized recommendations that take into account your age, gender, typical sleep patterns, and specifics about your trip. The app will tell you when you should avoid or seek daylight, and when you should stay awake or take a nap. The result? A gentle jet lag experience, which translates to more time exploring your destination.

FlightAware

If you have a tight connection or are picking up friends or family from the airport, look to FlightAware for help. The app tracks flights in real time, so you can see exactly where the aircraft is at any given moment. In addition to providing arrivals and delays, you can also see if weather will have any affect on certain locations.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

best weather app for travel

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5 Smartphone Apps To Keep You Safe When Traveling Abroad

Y ou have an international trip coming up, and you're excited and maybe a little nervous, which is understandable. After all, you get to immerse yourself in unfamiliar sites and experience a new culture. Traveling to a new country can be a daunting experience. However, smartphones have made it easier, given that you can book last-minute air tickets to different cities after you've reached your primary destination, look up the best local spots to eat, walk to nearby attractions, and even learn the local language through apps like Duolingo and Babbel.

That said, despite how well you may have planned out your travel, things can still go wrong. Fortunately, though, there are a number of apps that are designed to keep you safe while you're traveling abroad. SlashGear has listed some of these apps below, based on user reviews and first-hand experience. You'll also find a detailed methodology that explains how these apps were evaluated and selected toward the end of this list.

Read more: The 20 Best Mac Apps That Will Improve Your Apple Experience

Although people usually download and use VPNs on their phones to access geo-restricted content, the fact is that VPNs offer so much more than just a workaround to stream your favorite movies and TV shows. In fact, a reliable VPN service like NordVPN ( Android | iOS ) can help protect your online activity and private information by routing your data through a remote server, reducing the chances of sensitive information falling into the wrong hands. Additionally, NordVPN has a strict no-log policy — this means your private information is not collected or stored on NordVPN's servers.

What makes NordVPN an especially good choice for travelers is that it offers some of the best connection speeds while you're abroad. It also gives you access to over 6,000 remote servers across 61 countries. Moreover, when you sign up for NordVPN, you get to take advantage of other protection tools like NordPass (a password manager) and NordLocker (a file encryption tool).

Currently, NordVPN's annual plan costs $58.88 for the first year. If you'd rather go with the monthly plan, you would have to shell out $12.99 a month.When free VPN services are common, paying for one may seem like a bad move. That said, NordVPN offers reliable protection, making the subscription worth the cost.

WhatsApp Messenger

If you're traveling abroad, make sure to check what the preferred mode of communication is in the country you're visiting. In many parts of the world, messaging apps like WhatsApp Messenger ( Android | iOS ) are used because they're free and have robust security and encryption features.

In fact, WhatsApp's end-to-end encryption policy ensures that every message you send remains between you and the receiver — no one else, including WhatsApp, has or will have access to it. Additionally, WhatsApp supports a number of other features, like voice calls and video calls, that let you stay connected with your friends and family members.

The messaging app also has a pretty user-friendly interface. To get started, all you need to do is download and launch the app, register using your contact number, and complete the registration process by entering a verification code. You can then set up your profile and start chatting with your contacts.

The downside of using an online messaging app like WhatsApp is that you can only operate it if you're connected to the internet. If you're visiting a place that doesn't have access to cellular internet or Wi-Fi, make sure you've made other arrangements to get in touch with your family and friends back home if you need to.

Smart Traveler

Built by the U.S. State Department, the Smart Traveler app ( Android | iOS ) is a helpful travel app for Americans, especially for people traveling to unsafe regions. The app displays travel alerts, travel warnings, U.S. embassy locations, and more, making it an important resource for staying up-to-date on the potential safety concerns in the places you're visiting.

The app is available for free to both Android and iOS users. To use it, download the app, launch it, and select the country you're visiting. You'll then be able to view the related travel advisories.

Apart from advisories, the Smart Traveler app allows you to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By doing so, you'll receive continuous notifications about the safety conditions in the country you're traveling to. While this app is undoubtedly useful, the only key downside at present is that it may not be compatible with phones running Android 14. However, future updates should resolve this issue.

You can't overstate the importance of staying safe while overseas, and fortunately, the Life360 app ( Android | iOS ) prioritizes your safety through its international location tracking feature. The best part about this app is that it works in 195 countries so that you can share your international whereabouts with your friends and family members from most places. Apart from the location-tracking feature, Life360 members who are subscribed to the free plan can use the battery monitoring service, share their location ETA, and more.

If you subscribe to Life360's Platinum plan, which is available for $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year, you get to access advanced tools, like individual driving reports (this feature tells your family and friends which route you took and how fast you drove, among other things). While the paid version of the app is helpful, most travelers will find that the free plan provides ample security features, especially when used with the other travel-based apps mentioned in this list.

AccuWeather

A sudden, severe weather event can affect even the most well-laid-out plans, so it helps to keep track of the latest forecast through a weather app like AccuWeather ( Android | iOS ). The app uses 170+ forecast models to provide detailed day-wise weather forecasts, which include minimum and maximum temperatures, so you're able to plan your activities. More importantly, the AccuWeather app offers alerts regarding weather watches and warnings with links to access more information.

If you're subscribed to the Premium+ plan, you'll be able to access better and more advanced weather alerts and notifications. While the free version of the app will serve you just fine if you're within the U.S., you may want to consider upgrading to the paid plan to access comprehensive weather alerts when you're traveling.

You can sign up for the Premium+ subscription for free for seven days. After this, though, you'll need to pay $1.99 a month or $19.99 a year to access the features that come with the Premium+ plan.

Why These Apps Made It To This List

The apps listed above were chosen primarily based on user ratings and reviews on the Google Play Store and App Store and deemed some of the most useful apps to keep you safe while traveling abroad. These apps have an average rating of four out of five and above. Plus, they continue to receive positive reviews, which indicates their usefulness. Additionally, these apps were also downloaded and tested personally to ensure they offered what was claimed.

Read the original article on SlashGear .

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How To Stay Informed About Road Conditions For Travel

  • Last updated May 11, 2024
  • Difficulty Beginner

Paolo Barresi

  • Category Travel

how do I check road conditions for travel

Planning a road trip can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. While you may have your itinerary and accommodations all sorted out, one thing you can never predict is the unpredictable road conditions. Whether it's unexpected weather changes, road closures or construction, staying informed about road conditions is essential for a smooth and stress-free journey. In this article, we'll explore some helpful tips and resources to ensure you're up-to-date on the road conditions, so you can enjoy your travel without any surprises along the way.

What You'll Learn

Weather websites for road conditions, state department of transportation websites, mobile apps for road condition updates, local news stations for road condition reports.

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When planning a road trip or commuting to work, it's crucial to be aware of the weather and road conditions to ensure a safe and smooth journey. Thankfully, there are several reliable websites that provide up-to-date information on road conditions. Here are some of the best weather websites to check for road conditions:

  • The Weather Channel: The Weather Channel is a popular website that offers comprehensive weather forecasts, including road conditions. Simply visit their website and enter your location to access localized weather information, including current road conditions and any associated hazards or closures.
  • National Weather Service (NWS): The National Weather Service is a government agency that provides weather forecasts and warnings across the United States. Their website allows you to search for your location and find detailed weather observations and forecasts. The NWS also offers specific information on road conditions, such as icy patches, flooding, or snow-covered roads.
  • Waze: While Waze is primarily known as a crowdsourced navigation app, it's also a valuable resource for checking road conditions. The app relies on real-time updates from its users to provide current information on traffic, accidents, construction, and other road hazards. Additionally, Waze can suggest alternate routes to avoid potential problem areas.
  • Google Maps: Another reliable option for checking road conditions is Google Maps. Simply input your destination, and the app will display real-time traffic information, including any reported accidents, roadblocks, or construction. Google Maps is available both on the web and as a mobile app, making it easily accessible to users.
  • State Department of Transportation (DOT) websites: Most state DOT websites offer specific road condition information for the respective state. These websites provide real-time updates on road closures, construction, traffic volume, and any weather-related hazards. Simply search for your state's DOT website and look for the "Road Conditions" or "Traffic" section.
  • AccuWeather: AccuWeather is a widely used website that provides detailed weather forecasts, radar maps, and road conditions. With access to their road conditions feature, you can find information on weather-related road closures, traffic congestion, and other potential travel disruptions. AccuWeather's user-friendly interface allows you to enter your location and easily navigate through various weather-related features.

Remember that when checking road conditions, it's essential to stay updated as conditions can change rapidly due to weather events or accidents. Additionally, always exercise caution when traveling during inclement weather and follow any advisories or warnings issued by local authorities.

By utilizing these weather websites for road conditions, you can make informed decisions and plan your travel accordingly. Prioritizing safety should always be your first consideration when on the road, so take advantage of these resources to stay informed and prepared for your journeys.

Don't Let the Ice Break on Your Travel Adventures with This Convenient Travel-Sized Game

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When planning to travel, it is always important to check the road conditions beforehand to ensure a smooth and safe journey. One of the best resources for this information is the State Department of Transportation (DOT) websites. These websites provide up-to-date information on road conditions, closures, and any other relevant travel advisories. Here's how you can easily check road conditions for travel on State DOT websites.

  • Start by identifying the State DOT website for the state you will be traveling in. You can do this by simply searching for "State DOT [state name]" in your preferred search engine. For example, if you are traveling to California, search for "California DOT."
  • Once you have found the appropriate website, navigate to the "Road Conditions" or "Travel Information" section. This section is usually located prominently on the homepage or can be found under the "Traveler Information" tab.
  • On the road conditions page, you will typically find an interactive map that allows you to explore different regions and routes within the state. You can click on specific roads or highways to get detailed information about their current conditions.
  • Pay attention to color-coded symbols or icons on the map. These symbols indicate the condition of the roads, such as clear, wet, icy, or closed. Each state might use slightly different symbols, so make sure to check the legend provided on the website to understand what each symbol represents.
  • In addition to the map, State DOT websites often provide text-based updates on road conditions. These updates may include information on accidents, construction, or any other relevant events that could impact travel. These updates are usually organized by region or route, making it easy to find the information you need.
  • Some State DOT websites also offer live webcams that provide real-time footage of specific roads or highways. This can be particularly useful if you want to see the conditions for yourself before hitting the road.
  • If you prefer to receive road condition updates directly, many State DOT websites also offer subscription services. You can sign up for email or SMS alerts that will notify you of any changes or updates in the road conditions. This way, you can stay informed even if you are not actively checking the website.
  • Finally, it is important to note that road conditions can change quickly, especially during severe weather or peak travel times. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check the State DOT website right before you start your journey and periodically throughout your trip to stay informed about any new developments.

By utilizing State DOT websites to check road conditions, you can ensure that your travel plans are not disrupted by unexpected road closures, accidents, or unfavorable weather conditions. These websites provide the most accurate and up-to-date information, enabling you to make informed decisions and have a safe and enjoyable trip.

The Impact of Technology on Travel: A Paradigm Shift in How We Explore the World

When planning a road trip or even just a short drive, it's important to check the road conditions before you hit the road. With the help of mobile apps, you can easily get updates on road conditions, traffic congestion, and accidents in real-time. These apps not only save you time and frustration but also ensure your safety on the road.

Here are some mobile apps that provide road condition updates:

  • Waze: Waze is a popular app that provides real-time traffic updates, road conditions, and accident reports. It uses crowdsourcing to gather information from millions of users who report traffic conditions as they drive. Waze also offers turn-by-turn navigation, helping you find the fastest routes to your destination.
  • Google Maps: While Google Maps primarily provides navigation, it also offers up-to-date information on road conditions. It shows traffic congestion, accidents, road closures, and construction zones. The app takes into account real-time data from various sources to provide accurate information.
  • Apple Maps: Apple Maps is another reliable app that provides information on road conditions, traffic congestion, and accidents. It uses user reports, GPS data, and other sources to keep you informed about the latest road conditions. Apple Maps also offers turn-by-turn navigation and can integrate with CarPlay for a seamless driving experience.
  • AccuWeather: AccuWeather is a weather app that not only forecasts weather conditions but also provides road condition updates. It gives you information on snow and ice cover, road hazards, and visibility. AccuWeather also offers a radar feature to track storms and other weather disturbances.
  • Highway Weather: Highway Weather is a specialized app that focuses on providing weather information specifically for road trips. It offers detailed forecasts for each segment of your trip and provides information on driving conditions, including road closures, construction zones, and hazardous areas.
  • INRIX Traffic: INRIX Traffic is a comprehensive traffic app that provides real-time information on road conditions, traffic flow, and accidents. It uses AI and machine learning to analyze traffic patterns and predict congestion. INRIX Traffic also offers personalized routing options to help you avoid traffic and reach your destination faster.
  • Roadtrippers: Roadtrippers is a unique app that not only provides road condition updates but also helps you plan your road trip. It offers suggestions for scenic routes, attractions, restaurants, and hotels along the way. Roadtrippers also allows you to customize your trip based on your preferences and interests.

When using these mobile apps for road condition updates, it's important to remember to always use them responsibly. Do not use the apps while driving and pull over to a safe location if you need to check or update any information. Remember to rely on your own judgment as well, as conditions can change rapidly and the apps may not always be up-to-date.

With the help of these mobile apps, you can stay informed about the road conditions ahead, avoid traffic congestion, and have a smooth and safe journey. So, before you embark on your next road trip, make sure to download and use these apps to make your travel experience even better.

The Transformative Power of Travel: How Experiencing New Cultures Broadens Your Perspective

When planning a road trip or traveling in inclement weather, it is crucial to stay informed about the current road conditions. Local news stations are an excellent resource for accurate and up-to-date information on road conditions. Most news stations provide regular updates on traffic, accidents, road closures, and weather-related issues that may impact your travel plans. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to check road conditions using local news stations:

  • Identify your local news stations: Start by identifying the local news stations in your area. These can be both television stations and radio stations. Make a note of their channel numbers or frequency.
  • Tune in to the news station: Once you have identified the local news stations, tune in to the one that provides comprehensive traffic updates and road condition reports. This is usually mentioned during their weather segment or in their regular news bulletins.
  • Check the station's website: Most local news stations have a website where they post additional information and updates. Visit the website of your chosen news station to find road condition reports and traffic updates. Look for a dedicated section or page related to traffic or weather. Often, these sections have real-time maps or lists highlighting road closures, accidents, and other relevant information.
  • Utilize mobile apps: Many local news stations also have mobile apps that provide traffic and road condition updates. Download the app for your chosen station onto your smartphone or tablet. These apps often include interactive maps, push notifications, and live camera feeds that can help you navigate through congested areas or avoid accidents.
  • Follow social media accounts: Local news stations are active on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow their accounts to receive instant updates on road conditions, accidents, and other traffic-related news. These platforms are particularly useful for breaking news and urgent alerts.

It is important to note that while local news stations provide valuable information, road conditions can change rapidly. Therefore, it is advisable to check for updates frequently, especially if you are traveling long distances or during volatile weather conditions. Additionally, it is always a good idea to have a backup plan and consider multiple sources for road condition reports.

By utilizing your local news stations for road condition reports, you can stay informed and make well-informed decisions while traveling. Remember to plan ahead, be patient, and prioritize safety during your journey.

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The huge solar storm is keeping power grid and satellite operators on edge

Geoff Brumfiel, photographed for NPR, 17 January 2019, in Washington DC.

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Willem Marx

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NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of solar flares early Saturday afternoon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm. Solar Dynamics Observatory hide caption

NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this image of solar flares early Saturday afternoon. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm.

Planet Earth is getting rocked by the biggest solar storm in decades – and the potential effects have those people in charge of power grids, communications systems and satellites on edge.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says there have been measurable effects and impacts from the geomagnetic storm that has been visible as aurora across vast swathes of the Northern Hemisphere. So far though, NOAA has seen no reports of major damage.

Photos: See the Northern lights from rare solar storm

The Picture Show

Photos: see the northern lights from rare, solar storm.

There has been some degradation and loss to communication systems that rely on high-frequency radio waves, NOAA told NPR, as well as some preliminary indications of irregularities in power systems.

"Simply put, the power grid operators have been busy since yesterday working to keep proper, regulated current flowing without disruption," said Shawn Dahl, service coordinator for the Boulder, Co.-based Space Weather Prediction Center at NOAA.

NOAA Issues First Severe Geomagnetic Storm Watch Since 2005

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"Satellite operators are also busy monitoring spacecraft health due to the S1-S2 storm taking place along with the severe-extreme geomagnetic storm that continues even now," Dahl added, saying some GPS systems have struggled to lock locations and offered incorrect positions.

NOAA's GOES-16 satellite captured a flare erupting occurred around 2 p.m. EDT on May 9, 2024.

As NOAA had warned late Friday, the Earth has been experiencing a G5, or "Extreme," geomagnetic storm . It's the first G5 storm to hit the planet since 2003, when a similar event temporarily knocked out power in part of Sweden and damaged electrical transformers in South Africa.

The NOAA center predicted that this current storm could induce auroras visible as far south as Northern California and Alabama.

Extreme (G5) geomagnetic conditions have been observed! pic.twitter.com/qLsC8GbWus — NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) May 10, 2024

Around the world on social media, posters put up photos of bright auroras visible in Russia , Scandinavia , the United Kingdom and continental Europe . Some reported seeing the aurora as far south as Mallorca, Spain .

The source of the solar storm is a cluster of sunspots on the sun's surface that is 17 times the diameter of the Earth. The spots are filled with tangled magnetic fields that can act as slingshots, throwing huge quantities of charged particles towards our planet. These events, known as coronal mass ejections, become more common during the peak of the Sun's 11-year solar cycle.

A powerful solar storm is bringing northern lights to unusual places

Usually, they miss the Earth, but this time, NOAA says several have headed directly toward our planet, and the agency predicted that several waves of flares will continue to slam into the Earth over the next few days.

While the storm has proven to be large, predicting the effects from such incidents can be difficult, Dahl said.

Shocking problems

The most disruptive solar storm ever recorded came in 1859. Known as the "Carrington Event," it generated shimmering auroras that were visible as far south as Mexico and Hawaii. It also fried telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America.

Stronger activity on the sun could bring more displays of the northern lights in 2024

Stronger activity on the sun could bring more displays of the northern lights in 2024

While this geomagnetic storm will not be as strong, the world has grown more reliant on electronics and electrical systems. Depending on the orientation of the storm's magnetic field, it could induce unexpected electrical currents in long-distance power lines — those currents could cause safety systems to flip, triggering temporary power outages in some areas.

my cat just experienced the aurora borealis, one of the world's most radiant natural phenomena... and she doesn't care pic.twitter.com/Ee74FpWHFm — PJ (@kickthepj) May 10, 2024

The storm is also likely to disrupt the ionosphere, a section of Earth's atmosphere filled with charged particles. Some long-distance radio transmissions use the ionosphere to "bounce" signals around the globe, and those signals will likely be disrupted. The particles may also refract and otherwise scramble signals from the global positioning system, according to Rob Steenburgh, a space scientist with NOAA. Those effects can linger for a few days after the storm.

Like Dahl, Steenburgh said it's unclear just how bad the disruptions will be. While we are more dependent than ever on GPS, there are also more satellites in orbit. Moreover, the anomalies from the storm are constantly shifting through the ionosphere like ripples in a pool. "Outages, with any luck, should not be prolonged," Steenburgh said.

What Causes The Northern Lights? Scientists Finally Know For Sure

What Causes The Northern Lights? Scientists Finally Know For Sure

The radiation from the storm could have other undesirable effects. At high altitudes, it could damage satellites, while at low altitudes, it's likely to increase atmospheric drag, causing some satellites to sink toward the Earth.

The changes to orbits wreak havoc, warns Tuija Pulkkinen, chair of the department of climate and space sciences at the University of Michigan. Since the last solar maximum, companies such as SpaceX have launched thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit. Those satellites will now see their orbits unexpectedly changed.

"There's a lot of companies that haven't seen these kind of space weather effects before," she says.

The International Space Station lies within Earth's magnetosphere, so its astronauts should be mostly protected, Steenburgh says.

In a statement, NASA said that astronauts would not take additional measures to protect themselves. "NASA completed a thorough analysis of recent space weather activity and determined it posed no risk to the crew aboard the International Space Station and no additional precautionary measures are needed," the agency said late Friday.

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People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England. Ian Forsyth/Getty Images hide caption

People visit St Mary's lighthouse in Whitley Bay to see the aurora borealis on Friday in Whitley Bay, England.

While this storm will undoubtedly keep satellite operators and utilities busy over the next few days, individuals don't really need to do much to get ready.

"As far as what the general public should be doing, hopefully they're not having to do anything," Dahl said. "Weather permitting, they may be visible again tonight." He advised that the largest problem could be a brief blackout, so keeping some flashlights and a radio handy might prove helpful.

I took these photos near Ranfurly in Central Otago, New Zealand. Anyone can use them please spread far and wide. :-) https://t.co/NUWpLiqY2S — Dr Andrew Dickson reform/ACC (@AndrewDickson13) May 10, 2024

And don't forget to go outside and look up, adds Steenburgh. This event's aurora is visible much further south than usual.

A faint aurora can be detected by a modern cell phone camera, he adds, so even if you can't see it with your eyes, try taking a photo of the sky.

The aurora "is really the gift from space weather," he says.

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The latest on the massive solar storm

By Angela Fritz, Elise Hammond and Chris Lau, CNN

Incredible lighthouse picture from Maine

From CNN's Chris Lau

A long-exposure photo shows the aurora borealis over Portland, Maine, on May 10.

Among a flurry of surreal images capturing the dazzling auroras is one taken by Benjamin Williamson of a lighthouse in Portland, Maine.

"It's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen, the awe and wonder," Williamson told CNN.

He said he used a long-exposure technique to snap the shot, but did not edit it.

Watch the full interview with Williamson here .

Things could be about to ramp up

If you still haven't seen the aurora, hold on for another 30 minutes to an hour, according to CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

The next wave of coronal mass ejections, or CMEs, which cause the aurora, is about to arrive, he said.

"Just wait a minute because things are going to start to ramp up here," he said, adding that the increase could arrive "anytime now." "When it comes, get outside, get ready, put your coat on."

For those who are too busy to witness the phenomenon tonight, Myers said the aurora is expected to last three nights.

Why does the aurora last for a weekend?

By CNN's Chris Lau

The northern lights can be seen from Eaton Rapids, Michigan, on May 10.

Generally, it takes just eight minutes for light to travel 93 million miles to the Earth from the sun, but astrophysicist Janna Levin said the energized particles causing the current wave of aurora travel a lot slower, causing the phenomenon to last for the weekend.

"Some of these mass ejections are trillions of kilograms," she said. "They're slower. So they're taking longer, but still hours, maybe tens of hours."

Here's how the solar storm looks in the South and on the East Coast

The aurora was visible across the East Coast and in the South Friday.

Here's how it looked in Chester, South Carolina.

Down in Florida, waves of color swam through the sky.

Up north in New Jersey, a purple-ish haze could be seen in the sky.

Will solar storms get more intense and risky in the future?

The answer is probably not in the short term, according to astrophysicist Hakeem Oluseyi.

He said scientists study what is constantly happening on the surface of the sun and have found a pattern.

“Geological data shows us that in the past the sun was way more active than it is today. It has cycles where it goes very quiet ... and you have events that show that the solar activity was much, much greater,” he told CNN. “So there's no evidence that we're going to see those big maxima this cycle." 

But the astrophysicist also spoke of a caveat - the limitations of modern science.

“Even though it's predictable in the short term, we still don't quite understand what creates the magnetic fields in the sun,” he said, adding: “That's why NASA has so many satellites looking at the sun.”

In Pictures: Auroras light the sky during rare solar storm

From CNN Digital's Photo Team

The northern lights glow in the night sky in Brandenburg, Germany, on May 10.

A series of solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun are creating dazzling auroras across the globe .

The rare solar storm may also disrupt communications. The last time a solar storm of this magnitude reached Earth was in October 2003, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center.

See more photos of the aurora from tonight.

Behind dazzling aurora could lie “real danger,” Bill Nye the Science Guy says

Bill Nye the Science Guy speaks to CNN on Friday, May 10.

The massive solar storm could present “a real danger,” especially with the modern world relying so much on electricity, according to Bill Nye the Science Guy , a science educator and engineer.

Scientists are warning an increase in solar flares and coronal mass ejections from the sun have the potential to disrupt communication on Earth into the weekend. Solar flares can affect communications and GPS almost immediately because they disrupt Earth’s ionosphere, or part of the upper atmosphere. Energetic particles released by the sun can also disrupt electronics on spacecraft and affect astronauts without proper protection within 20 minutes to several hours.

In comparison to tonight's event, Nye drew comparisons with another incident in 1859, known as the Carrington Event, when telegraph communications were severely affected.

“The other thing, everybody, that is a real danger to our technological society, different from 1859, is how much we depend on electricity and our electronics and so on,” Nye said. "None of us really in the developed world could go very long without electricity."

He noted that there are systems in place to minimize the impact, but “stuff might go wrong,” stressing that not all transformers are equipped to withstand such a solar event.

“It depends on the strength of the event and it depends on how much of our infrastructures are prepared for this the sort of thing,” he said.

Bill Nye breaks down significance of the solar storm | CNN

Bill Nye breaks down significance of the solar storm | CNN

This post has been updated with more details on solar flares' impact on electronics.

Here's where clouds will block the view of the northern lights in the US

From CNN's Angela Fritz

An infrared satellite image taken around 10:30 p.m. ET.

After an incredibly stormy week, most of the Lower 48 has clear skies to see the northern lights. But there are some areas where clouds and rainy weather are spoiling the view.

A deck of clouds is blocking the sky in the Northeast, from parts of Virginia into Maine, as an area of low pressure spins off the East Coast.

In the Midwest, the aurora will be hard to see through thick clouds in parts of Wisconsin, Michigan — including the Upper Peninsula — and Illinois.

A stripe of clouds is tracking across Texas, including Dallas-Forth Worth, and into Louisiana.

And in the Southwest, patchy clouds across the the Four Corners region could make the northern lights difficult to spot.

Aurora seen at least as far south as Georgia

Barely visible to the naked eye, the aurora can be seen in Atlanta in the 10 p.m. ET hour. 

It is easier to see through photographs using a long exposure. The photos below, taken by CNN's Eric Zerkel and Emily Smith, used 3- and 10-second exposures.

Aurora seen in Atlanta around 10:15 p.m. ET.

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Northern lights create jaw-dropping show, best in over 20 years

People in all 50 states witnessed a breathtaking performance of the aurora borealis on Friday night over the United States during the strongest geomagnetic storm since 2003.

By Brian Lada , AccuWeather meteorologist and staff writer

Published May 13, 2024 9:08 AM PDT | Updated May 13, 2024 11:21 AM PDT

A spectacular aurora show was seen in the sky from many different parts of the world.

Countless people stepped outside on Friday night to see the glow of the northern lights for the first time in their lives as the strongest geomagnetic storm in over two decades hit the Earth.

In the United States, the aurora borealis was seen as far south as Florida, the Gulf Coast states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, where red hues illuminated the sky. The most impressive views occurred across the northern half of the country, where shades of green, red, pink and purple danced overhead.

The Northern Lights created a jaw-dropping show across America on Friday night in all 50 states 🤩🤩 https://t.co/BAI9wWsVlp pic.twitter.com/KXVr8aVFGA — AccuWeather (@accuweather) May 13, 2024

According to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), the geomagnetic storm responsible for the aurora reached G5, a level 5 out of 5, making it the strongest event in 21 years . The SWPC warns on its site that storms of this magnitude could disrupt power systems, GPS and spacecrafts in orbit, but no significant issues were reported.

The last time the northern lights were seen across such a widespread area was in 2003, before the age of smartphones and social media.

The impressive light show was not limited to North America. People all around the world reportedly saw the lights, including in Europe, India, China and the Bahamas.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the aurora australis was also sighted in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania and parts of Africa and South America.

Satellites in space had a bird's-eye view of the rare spectacle, with the brightest lights being detected over the Northeast, Great Lakes and northern Rockies.

In this polar-orbiting satellite view, the city lights of major towns are seen with aurora (brown to white) over the Midwest and Northeast on Friday, May 10, 2024. (NOAA/CIRA)

In this polar-orbiting satellite view, the city lights of major towns are seen with aurora (brown to white) over the Midwest and Northeast on Friday, May 10, 2024. (NOAA/CIRA)

Crowds traveled to dark areas on Saturday night and Sunday night with hopes of catching a repeat performance of the aurora, but an encore failed to unfold as the geomagnetic storm that sparked the aurora on Friday night gradually subsided as the weekend progressed.

Similar to the seasons on Earth, the sun goes through a regular cycle that lasts approximately 11 years. The sun is currently near the height of the cycle, known as solar maximum, when activity on the sun results in more opportunities to see the aurora. While another event like Friday night's aurora is not in the immediate future, similar events could occur in the coming months.

More Space and Astronomy:

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What's your chance of seeing the northern lights tonight? A look at Saturday's forecast

Illuminating the night sky with pink, green and gray colors, the northern lights made its appearance in the United Kingdom and the northern half of the United States on Friday. The magical phenomena could happen again tonight.

The show fascinated many onlookers as they took out their phones to capture the beauty of the night sky. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued extreme (G5) conditions across the United States. A storm of this intensity has not been seen since October 2003. The storm gained the name "Halloween Storm" and caused many power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa, according to Earth.com .

Meteorologists have predicted that the northern lights can be visible on Saturday as well as Sunday. If you are going outside to see the northern lights, forecasters want to remind the public that their solar eclipse glasses can be used for viewing the phenomenon.

Here's what you need to know to prepare for the next viewing of the northern lights.

The northern lights: Danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

Where can you see the northern lights tonight?

The Space and Weather Prediction Center  offers an experimental forecast map  that shows the aurora may be visible in a wide swath of the U.S. including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Other states like California, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida could also see the sky light up again for an encore performance. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather, pollution and cloud cover.

Below are forecast predictions for seeing the northern lights in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana on Saturday.

Rain and clouds are expected to damper expectations to see the aurora borealis around the Rochester, N.Y. area . Elsewhere in NY, the  Lower Hudson Valley could see the lights again, if weather permits. 

NWS maps predicting the intensity and location of the northern lights Saturday and Sunday show the aurora will be visible in mid to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be mostly cloudy with some rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. The NWS predicted 48% to 58% sky cover in metro Detroit from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The western portion of both peninsulas are expected to have a lower cloud cover.

In the Milwaukee area , the evening is expected to bring mostly clear skies and overnight will have scattered clouds, said Tim Halbach, local meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 

Those living around the Cincinnati region could be treated to the northern lights Saturday night with the NWS' Wilmington, Ohio , office forecasting dry, partly cloudy conditions. Clouds shouldn't be an issue as many Ohioans reported seeing the lights Friday despite some cloud cover.

 In a telephone interview, Mike Bettwy, operations chief of the NOAA's  Space Weather Prediction Center  in Boulder, Co, said Indianapolis and surrounding areas might have a better chance of seeing the aurora today and Sunday.

They can expect clear skies tonight, Bettwy said.

"The aurora itself might be actually a little bit less active than it was last night," he told IndyStar. "I think the ability for you to see it will be better because the skies will be clearing out — at least in the Indianapolis area and that immediate vicinity."

Northern lights forecast path

If you want to get a better idea of if you will be able to see the northern lights from your state, check NOAA's aurora forecast tool , which has a 30-minute forecast window. 

The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions.

Scientist left amazed by the aurora

The aurora seen on May 10 amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at Harvard University. She sent photos of the lights and the April eclipse to her friends in Italy. The northern lights weren't as prominent in Italy as it was in other places.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night isn't usual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

That's because the Earth's magnetic activity was at a nine, the highest the index goes, coupled with the Sun being at an active peak, causing eruptions. She added the colors cannot be predicted either as it depends on how the solar energetic particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen appears green, while nitrogen appears purple, blue or pink, she said.

"It just depends on which atoms in the atmosphere this particle interact with," Fruscione said.

She declined to predict how strong Saturday's aurora could be as it's not in her expertise, but said people make predictions all the time about space weather not just for the northern lights, but to ensure communications, space stations, astronauts and other matter in space doesn't get majorly disrupted.

Down on Earth, however, the activity is harmless to humans.

"It's completely harmless because the particles do not don't do not reach us," Fruscione said. "The reason why we see the colors is that the particle interacts with the atoms and they make these beautiful colors and that's it."

For Saturday, and any other day where chatter about the aurora borealis is high, Fruscione encouraged people to download an aurora forecasting app to their phones so they can see the colorful skies.

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights materialize when energized particles from the sun reach Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph,  according to Space.com . Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta and Dinah Voyles Pulver , USA TODAY ; Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press ; Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; Contributing: Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer ; Contributing: Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Rockland/Westchester Journal News ; Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter)

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