Occasionally I get asked what apps I use or suggest. I’ve never written an actual review for an app before, but I figured it would be fun to start doing that from time to time.
This review is for the Windy app, based on app version 18.0203 on iOS 12.2. I’m not reviewing their website here, but the website has similar functionality to the app. Sorry guys, I don’t have an Android handy, but I assume the functionality is also similar there. Windy is created by a small team located in Prague, Czechia.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Cost: Free (Donations accepted)
Platforms: iOS, Android, Web Browser
Website: www.windy.com
Windy doesn’t make their own forecasts but instead integrates current real-time observations with modeled data that users can easily compare. The primary model used is the ECMWF, a global European model that users usually have to pay for. Windy pays for access to the ECMWF and presents it free of charge. Other models available are the GFS and NAM, distributed by the NOAA, and the NEMS, created by the NOAA and distributed by the Swiss.
On Windy, you can view things such as how much rain will fall over the next couple days to a week as well as what the models think temperatures will be at specific times within the next week or so. There are dozens of different parameters you can bring up. Here are a few of the main ones:
- Radar and lightning. Radar data is real-time and provided by multiple world governments including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, most of Europe, India, China, and Japan. Lightning is also real-time, provided by Blitzortung, and covers most of North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.
- Wind (speed and direction).
- Rain and thunder. Shows 3-hour rainfall, precipitation type, and whether the model shows lightning or not.
- Temperature. Modeled temperature for the time selected.
- Clouds. Modeled cloud cover for the time selected.
- Waves. Modeled wave height and period in the ocean for the time selected.
- CO Concentration. Modeled carbon monoxide concentration for the time selected.
- Pressure. Modeled air pressure for the time selected.
- Weather warnings. Plots existing weather alerts issued by government agencies (like the National Weather Service) for numerous countries around the globe.
Not only can user plot these data for the ground level, but where applicable users can also view these parameters at different heights in the atmosphere. The standard user will probably not use this function, but weather buffs like myself will probably find this to be real handy.
On top of these, users can plot other real-time data on the map. This includes temperature and wind reports as well as webcams (sourced from webcams.travel). I reached out to them last night and they said they were also working on getting air quality data on the map.
This isn’t just a mapping app, though. If you search a city, you can view the specific forecast for that location that the models have generated and even compare the models side-by-side to get an idea of the level of uncertainty in that forecast. Users can see not only a generalized forecast for their location but also more specific forecasts depending on what they might need. Users can also select different locations to put on a favorites list.
Users have the choice to create a personal profile. If you choose to do this, you can log into the website or app on any device and your preferences (such as your location favorites) will be carried over between your phone, tablet, and web browser.
There are a few downsides to this app, but they’re quite specific and won’t really impact most users. The real-time radar data is pretty generalized. Many nations radar coverage is presented in a generalized form even on their own websites, but the United States isn’t one of those nations. For radar data in the U.S. and Canada, I use RadarScope, but for other countries (like Brazil and Argentina) Windy is by far the easiest way that I know of to get good real-time radar data.
I would also prefer to see the map as more like a globe as seen on this website, but that’s just personal preference. The app can be kinda buggy when using the map, especially if you cross the International Date Line the wrong way when scrolling around. I imagine this bug will be fixed eventually. It also doesn’t include my personal favorite model, the HRRR. I would absolutely love to see it added at some point, but since Windy takes a more global look at weather and the HRRR only covers the Contiguous United States, I’m not surprised that it isn’t included.
Overall, I love this app. It is one of my favorites and I refer to it several times a day. I highly recommend it because it is one of a very few apps that can be both basic enough for the general user to understand while also being detailed and in-depth enough to satisfy people who really want to get into the data.
If you have an app or website that you’d like me to look at, just drop me a line on my Facebook page – Tri-Cities Weather, or over on Twitter – @markaingalls.