We're simply not set up to tackle that kind of challenge. Second, and more importantly, to really determine the accuracy of the service's model, we'd have to perform exhaustive tests across the globe. The Weather Channel and a few other companies have their own predictive models, but many apps are just shells into which data flows. Some also pull their predictions from AccuWeather, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Our reasons are twofold: First, most weather apps get the bulk of their data from the National Weather Service. What we didn't look for is whether or not the predicted weather came to pass. If you have to dig through several screens to find out when it's going to rain, the app is off to a bad start. An ideal weather app is visually pleasing and easy to use. When testing weather apps, we spent most of our time evaluating the effectiveness of their design. A weather app lets you do that wherever you are, whenever you like. With wild weather across the country, particularly hurricanes threatening coastal states, it's a good idea to check the forecast or radar for upcoming conditions. A good weather app helps you decide if you'll need to bring an umbrella to work, or prepare for more serious conditions. One of the most important tools for that is a mobile weather app. When Mother Nature is in a bad mood (which is more likely than ever these days thanks to climate change), it helps to keep an eye on what's happening in the sky.
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How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad.How to Block Robotexts and Spam Messages.The animations are well-displayed, easy to understand and clear. If you want a high precision forecast, you have to subscribe. This shows temperature, wind, pressure and wave. The free version allows sailors to view ‘low precision’ forecasts for the following 144 hours. With Theyr, you have two options, one free and available on a subscription basis. Although it doesn’t have a great variety of features, WindGuru works on slow connections and even provides access to previously downloaded forecasts when you’re offline. If you’re looking for simple weather forecasts, this classic weather app is it. This app is the perfect choice for competitive and recreational sailors. It monitors your mooring, tracks your navigation, optimizes routes, provides currents, weather and tides and nautical charts. One of the most highly-rated apps, SailGrib is a complete marine navigation tool. It is updated every day and caters to all kinds of water-based activities. Yachting Weather App gives you the basics like pressure, cloud cover, rain, wind and pressure presented in table format.Įxtensively used by sailors, divers and fisherman to plan their routes, Navionics offers real-time weather data, tides, currents, wind speeds and daily and hourly forecasts. It is user-friendly and it’s free (with in-app purchases). The level of detail on this app is phenomenal and will help you to plot navigation through marine forecasts using graphs, table and map views of wind, rain, cloud cover, water temperatures and swell.Īn ideal beginner app suited to newbies and those who don’t have a budget for weather tech. Windity is not only used by sailors and fisherman, but also by skydivers, pilots and kiters.Īlthough it’s on the expensive side, PredictWind is worth every cent to offshore cruisers and yacht racing enthusiasts. It’s also simple to use, fast and one of the most accurate apps out there for tracking storms and severe weather. The visualization of this app is excellent. Here are some of the top weather apps for sailors, what kind of sailor they’re suited to and what makes them good: The trick is to find and use one that’s as accurate as can be while also being suitable to your unique sailing needs. How to Find a Good Weather AppĮven though weather apps are never spot on with predictions, there are some good ones out there. Unfortunately, none of them is ever 100% accurate. These apps can be super helpful in planning trips and could even help sailors avoid sail and yacht damage due to unexpected adverse conditions. There are hundreds of weather apps available for smartphones to help us figure out what the weather holds. It’s also some of the most unpredictable things in life, even with the latest tech. As any seasoned sailor will tell you, the weather and water conditions are some of the most important aspects to successful sailing adventures.