Windows 8 comes with a nice weather app of its own but it is nice to have choices. There are currently two other Weather bug apps, that add .s and .hp after the name. They must be specific for computer manufacturers I’m guessing but no indication in the Windows Store about it.
WeatherBug is a weather resource many I believe have heard of and maybe even use within their browser or smartphone. I saw this in the Windows Store so I thought I’d check it out. A weather app is just like any other weather app right? Not exactly as one weather app I won’t be reviewing is called “The Weather Network” and I simply am not impressed. If you want just weather and links to a few weather-related stories it works. Anyway I’m getting off-track.
WeatherBug – main screen
Since I’m somewhat comparing it to another app, WeatherBug does use your location, it asks permission. The “other” app requests you to input information so it knows where you are. That is the last comparison though with the “other” non-reviewed app. As you can see by the screenshot WeatherBug is quite vivid in its view. You get the current forecast, hour-by-hour for the next 2 hours, a capsule forecast, links to other areas and an AD. It isn’t so bad that it has an ad I’m fine with it, it is free after all.
The alert in this case was for a heat advisory, but it shows you details about it if clicked on. The image in the background changes based on the current weather, which is what most weather apps do.
WeatherBug - forecast
Clicking on the forecast on the main page will get you a 7 day spread with day and night information. Handily providing links to the other areas as well. If you click on a specific day you can get the hour-by-hour forecast for that day. It is certainly vivid and colorful although Thursday and Friday colors are too similar and should be separated more. A minor quibble.
The custom notifications are a terrific addition. Weather is something you want an alert on, but curiously enough the alert showing for me for the heat is not available as a specific notification. I was unable to test this as it is for rain, fog, snow, storms and wind.
The maps have choices for temps, humidity, radar, clouds (US satellite and World satellite), wind direction and air pressure. It uses the typical colors you might see on a TV weather report. I’m unsure why the satellites don’t show the same thing but it is from different satellites. Below you’ll see a radar image (not near me as not raining now) and humidity shown.
WeatherBug – radar
WeatherBug – humidity
It is a very complete app as it stands now, even down to the live tile. The live tile switches between an image showing the weather and the actual temperature. As I’ve seen with other apps I expect the white icon in the lower left could be difficult to see as it does slightly disappear on the lower image. Again a minor issue, but could cause problems for some. Some apps put a banner behind it to help it stand out.
WeatherBug – live tile current info
WeatherBug – live tile picture info
Even though I’m sweating with the humid weather we are having now and no A/C in my apartment, it is clear WeatherBug sweated out the details on this terrific app. I think it is the best overall package and it is certainly the most enjoyable to use.
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