The default climate app on Android is… nice. It’s fast, easy, and tells you the fundamentals. For many individuals, that’s all they want. However “nice” wasn’t chopping it for me. That’s why I switched to AccuWeather.
1 Minute-by-Minute Forecasts
One of many issues that drew me to AccuWeather is its MinuteCast characteristic. This provides you minute-by-minute precipitation updates for the subsequent 4 hours. It’s exact and one thing I by no means knew I wanted till I used it.
Let’s say you’re planning a fast stroll to the shop, and the sky seems to be slightly grey. With the default climate app on Android, you’ll get a imprecise “rain anticipated” notification. Or, at greatest, an hourly forecast.
However with AccuWeather, you’ll be able to see precisely when the rain will begin, how heavy it’ll be, and when it’s more likely to cease.
Even different Android weather apps I attempted earlier than settling for AccuWeather lacked the precision to pinpoint precisely when or how lengthy it could rain. This distinction won’t appear enormous till you are deciding whether or not to sprint to the shop now or wait out a short drizzle.
2 Interactive Radar and Satellite tv for pc Maps
One other gem characteristic of AccuWeather is its interactive radar and satellite tv for pc maps. In contrast to the static visuals on default apps, these maps are dynamic, detailed, and surprisingly intuitive. You possibly can zoom in to see what’s occurring in your space or pan out for a much bigger image of regional climate patterns.
Need to know if that thunderstorm brewing close by is heading your approach? The radar allows you to observe it in close to real-time. The satellite tv for pc overlay provides much more depth, exhibiting cloud cowl and climate fronts, so you’ll be able to actually perceive what’s coming.
I’ve discovered this characteristic particularly helpful throughout storms. It’s one factor to learn “extreme climate alert,” however seeing the storm’s trajectory is a complete new degree of consciousness. You possibly can complement it with apps that help prepare for hurricanes and big storms for even higher planning.
3 RealFeel Temperature
Many climate apps, together with the default one on Android, supply a “seems like” temperature. These are useful however usually primary, factoring in simply temperature and wind chill. AccuWeather’s RealFeel Temperature takes it additional, providing a extra nuanced and customized studying.
RealFeel considers a number of elements—humidity, wind velocity, cloud cowl, and even the depth of daylight or shade. The result’s a temperature that mirrors what you’ll truly really feel while you step outdoors.
As an example, 50°F on a relaxed, sunny day feels very totally different from the identical temperature with gusty winds and overcast skies. RealFeel accounts for these particulars, so that you’re not left second-guessing.
4 Prolonged Forecast
Planning a trip, out of doors occasion, or simply need to know what’s coming down the road? AccuWeather’s 15-day forecast has you coated. Whereas most default climate apps provide you with a normal 7- to 10-day outlook, AccuWeather goes the additional mile, providing a glimpse as much as 15 days forward.
AccuWeather additionally provides an prolonged forecast of as much as 45 days, however I discover the 15-day vary to be probably the most sensible for planning functions.
Even so, having that prolonged view helps you notice tendencies. Is there a heatwave constructing? Must you count on a cooler entrance by the tip of subsequent week? AccuWeather provides you that early perception, even when the specifics would possibly shift nearer to the date.
Customizability is one other space the place AccuWeather actually excels, particularly with its huge number of widgets.
You possibly can select from totally different kinds, sizes, and layouts, tailoring the expertise to your house display screen’s look and your particular wants. I’ve a modern 4×2 widget that exhibits the present temperature, RealFeel temperature, and even precipitation probabilities—all at a look.
Default climate apps often embody primary widgets, however they’re usually restricted in each design and performance. AccuWeather’s widgets allow you to modify what’s displayed and the way it’s offered.
Past their visible attraction, AccuWeather widgets are extremely practical. On busy days, I don’t even must open the app—I get all the important thing particulars I want instantly on my dwelling display screen. It’s a kind of little conveniences that make AccuWeather a much better match for my each day routine.
Switching to AccuWeather from the default Android climate app was a simple determination as soon as I skilled its wealthy options and detailed accuracy. Whereas default apps are nice for primary climate updates, AccuWeather’s depth and personalization make it my go-to selection.
