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Weather Apps and Websites for RVers
01-31-2017Author :Jan Childs in Full Time RVing DIY
Whether on the road or camped long-term in one spot, weather conditions are always on the minds of full-time RV’ers.
Getting an accurate weather forecast, or a good read on current conditions, is relatively easy if you know where to look. The key for is staying on top of the weather to avoid disappointment at not being able to enjoy your destination, travel delays or, in the worst-case scenario, damage and injury.
Related Read: Staying Safe When the Rain Comes Down or Weather Turns Severe
So what are the best weather apps, websites and other channels for full-time RV’ers? We’ve complied a list of some of the top-rated and most-used:- WeatherBug is both an app and a web page . Besides current conditions and forecasts, it features live feeds from local weather cameras (where available) to show what’s happening around you in real time.
- Weather.com, a product of The Weather Channel, is one of the better known forecasting sites on the internet and also has an app. You can sign up for location-based weather and weather-related news alerts, view current radar images, and get a forecast by hour, or for the next 30 days.
- Accuweather.com is another well-known national site and app. In addition to hourly and long-range forecasts, the site lets you set up “personalized” forecasts that will alert you to pollen, conditions that might trigger a migraine, or even whether it’s a good hair day.
- Dark Sky – is a relatively new app, having been started after a KickStarter campaign in 2011. Its strength lies in current and very short-term forecasts. Dark Sky, an IOS-only app that costs $3.99 to download, tells you current conditions and exactly how far away you are from the nearest precipitation. It updates the precipitation information every minute, so it can tell you exactly when the rain or snow might hit you.
- Storm is one of several handy apps from Weather Underground. As its name implies, it is a storm tracker that promises high-resolution radar and severe weather alerts for precipitation, lightning, tornadoes, heat advisories and other weather events. Storm’s alerts come in real-time from the National Weather Service.
- Windy is an app that provides real-time wind conditions and wind forecasts worldwide, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Windy’s tidal charts and wave forecasts are clearly geared toward surfers and boaters, but its tracking of wind speeds can be an invaluable tool for RV’ers, especially when it comes to route planning and scheduling.
- The Red Cross has a whole series of mobile apps that can alert you to everything from a national emergency to tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.
When using the apps and websites above remember that they can quickly eat up cell phone or hot spot data, especially when viewing maps or high-resolution radar. Also remember to always input your current location for accurate forecasts, conditions, and alerts.
Related Read: Call of the Wild-5 Ways to Improve Phone Reception on the Road
Every full-time RV’er should always have a weather radio to pick up National Weather Service alerts, forecasts and other emergency information. You can track weather straight from the source at the NWS website and sign up for alerts and mobile weather updates.
Also don’t forget to tune into the local TV stations wherever you are in the event of bad weather, and be aware of your city, county, zip code and address. It’s also good to know where to go for shelter in case of high winds, floods or other emergencies.
Related Read: RV Hurricane and Storm Safety
And, finally, just for fun, here’s one last weather app won’t necessarily go in depth on current or future conditions, but will tell it like it is. What the forecast?!! is a fun app that will give you the current conditions, with no sugar coating. It might tell you that it is is so hot (or cold) that “You are guaranteed to hate it outside,” or that “Maybe you should just stay inside tonight.” The app is good for a lot of laughs, but be warned that its website does contain profanity. If that’s not your thing, though, you can change the settings on the app to a “clean” version.Blog Author Details
Jan #32;Wesner #32;Childs #32;is #32;a #32;professional #32;writer #32;who #32;travels #32;full #32;time #32;in #32;a #32;fifth #32;wheel #32;bunkhouse #32;with #32;her #32;husband, #32;12-year-old #32;daughter, #32;15-year-old #32;son #32;and #32;a #32;cat #32;named #32;Chuey. #32;She rsquo;s #32;also #32;a #32;military #32;spouse #32;whose #32;husband #32;recently #32;retired #32;from #32;the #32;Army. #32;They rsquo;ve #32;spent #32;the #32;past #32;26 #32;years #32;living #32;and #32;traveling #32;throughout #32;Asia, #32;Europe #32;and #32;Canada. #32;Now #32;they #32;are #32;rediscovering #32;the #32;U.S. #32;and #32;teaching #32;their #32;kids #32;what #32;it rsquo;s #32;like #32;to #32;be #32;American. #32;She rsquo;ll #32;be #32;sharing #32;her #32;DIY #32;tips #32;and #32;advice #32;for #32;full #32;time #32;RV rsquo;ing #32;as #32;a #32;family. #32;You #32;can #32;also #32;follow #32;their #32;journey #32;on #32;her #32;personal #32;blog #32;at #32;beyondthegidedcage.com.
Whether on the road or camped long-term in one spot, weather conditions are always on the minds of full-time RV’ers.
Getting an accurate weather forecast, or a good read on current conditions, is relatively easy if you know where to look. The key for is staying on top of the weather to avoid disappointment at not being able to enjoy your destination, travel delays or, in the worst-case scenario, damage and injury.
Related Read: Staying Safe When the Rain Comes Down or Weather Turns Severe
So what are the best weather apps, websites and other channels for full-time RV’ers? We’ve complied a list of some of the top-rated and most-used:- WeatherBug is both an app and a web page . Besides current conditions and forecasts, it features live feeds from local weather cameras (where available) to show what’s happening around you in real time.
- Weather.com, a product of The Weather Channel, is one of the better known forecasting sites on the internet and also has an app. You can sign up for location-based weather and weather-related news alerts, view current radar images, and get a forecast by hour, or for the next 30 days.
- Accuweather.com is another well-known national site and app. In addition to hourly and long-range forecasts, the site lets you set up “personalized” forecasts that will alert you to pollen, conditions that might trigger a migraine, or even whether it’s a good hair day.
- Dark Sky – is a relatively new app, having been started after a KickStarter campaign in 2011. Its strength lies in current and very short-term forecasts. Dark Sky, an IOS-only app that costs $3.99 to download, tells you current conditions and exactly how far away you are from the nearest precipitation. It updates the precipitation information every minute, so it can tell you exactly when the rain or snow might hit you.
- Storm is one of several handy apps from Weather Underground. As its name implies, it is a storm tracker that promises high-resolution radar and severe weather alerts for precipitation, lightning, tornadoes, heat advisories and other weather events. Storm’s alerts come in real-time from the National Weather Service.
- Windy is an app that provides real-time wind conditions and wind forecasts worldwide, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Windy’s tidal charts and wave forecasts are clearly geared toward surfers and boaters, but its tracking of wind speeds can be an invaluable tool for RV’ers, especially when it comes to route planning and scheduling.
- The Red Cross has a whole series of mobile apps that can alert you to everything from a national emergency to tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes.
When using the apps and websites above remember that they can quickly eat up cell phone or hot spot data, especially when viewing maps or high-resolution radar. Also remember to always input your current location for accurate forecasts, conditions, and alerts.
Related Read: Call of the Wild-5 Ways to Improve Phone Reception on the Road
Every full-time RV’er should always have a weather radio to pick up National Weather Service alerts, forecasts and other emergency information. You can track weather straight from the source at the NWS website and sign up for alerts and mobile weather updates.
Also don’t forget to tune into the local TV stations wherever you are in the event of bad weather, and be aware of your city, county, zip code and address. It’s also good to know where to go for shelter in case of high winds, floods or other emergencies.
Related Read: RV Hurricane and Storm Safety
And, finally, just for fun, here’s one last weather app won’t necessarily go in depth on current or future conditions, but will tell it like it is. What the forecast?!! is a fun app that will give you the current conditions, with no sugar coating. It might tell you that it is is so hot (or cold) that “You are guaranteed to hate it outside,” or that “Maybe you should just stay inside tonight.” The app is good for a lot of laughs, but be warned that its website does contain profanity. If that’s not your thing, though, you can change the settings on the app to a “clean” version.Comment
Author : Jan Childs
Jan Wesner Childs is a professional writer who travels full time in a fifth wheel bunkhouse with her husband, 12-year-old daughter, 15-year-old son and a cat named Chuey. She’s also a military spouse whose husband recently retired from the Army. They’ve spent the past 26 years living and traveling throughout Asia, Europe and Canada. Now they are rediscovering the U.S. and teaching their kids what it’s like to be American. She’ll be sharing her DIY tips and advice for full time RV’ing as a family. You can also follow their journey on her personal blog at beyondthegidedcage.com.