It still provides the customizable Wundermap which lets you toggle layers to access local data. Its members blog onsite about local and regional weather as well as climate topics. The Weather Channel purchased it in 2012 obtaining the real-time data culled from its more than 100,000 member personal weather stations.

As the commercial service grew, it drew the attention of competitors. Weather Underground began as an offshoot of the University of Michigan weather database. It also provides a storehouse of historical data. The US Postal Service assigned zip codes to have no geographical meaning as opposed to latitude and longitude data. The downside of NWS forecasts is its use of zip codes to discuss forecast information. It goes beyond weather and includes wildfires as well as other fire information such as drought & heat indices. The website provides a massive amount of data, discussions, and maps. It provides the most accurate data culled from its official weather stations, orbiting satellites and other resources, such as data obtained from the Mesonets. It issues the hazardous weather watches and warnings for the country and its territories. The US government product from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) churns out numerous forecasts and nowcasts daily. While the states of Oklahoma and Texas have Mesonets that provide enhanced forecast and nowcast information, the rest of the nation must rely on commercial weather information sites and the National Weather Service.Įach site specializes in its forecasts (or historical data) for either the general public or businesses. Mobile apps and websites provide real-time information including wind speed and precipitation, plus specialized forecasts.

While we once relied on radio and television for updated information, today, the Internet takes their place. Your safety depends on timely nowcasts and forecasts that provide understandable information you can use. The weather can change in a split second. Summary: Best Weather APIs And Websites.

Free weather app for computer