NOAA Radar US app review: accurate weather forecasting

Introduction

NOAA Radar US - HD Weather Radar and Forecasts is an absolute must-have meteorological resource for any of you who should happen to live in an area that is particularly susceptible to severe weather conditions, providing forecasts, alerts, and other great features directly to your iPhone and iPad.

The best iPad apps for weather

Although this app doesn’t appear to be without its flaws as you’ll see in the Pros & Cons section of this review below, I do think that it has been developed very professionally overall, and would certainly recommend checking it out if you’re in the market for this kind of weather forecasting resource.

Uses NOAA Weather Models

What we have here is a great little weather forecasting app for iPhone and iPad that provides detailed radar map images with optional snow and freezing rain overlays so that you can easily see when the weather is about to take a turn for the worst.

The best iPhone apps for weather

This app utilizes your device’s integrated GPS to ensure you’re receiving nothing but information that is relevant to your local area, and the radar views feature hourly predictions based on NOAA weather models.

 

Receive Severe Weather Alerts

NOAA Radar US - HD Weather Radar and Forecasts also provides full support for sending your severe weather alerts via Push notification, and the developer claims that “clutter control” ensures false radar echoes are reduced.

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I’m very impressed with what the developer has done with this app, although there might be some potential compatibility issues with different iPhone models so be sure to check the Pros & Cons section below for more information.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• View detailed radar map images with optional snow and freezing rain overlays
• Radar views feature hourly predictions based on NOAA weather models
• Receive up to a week’s worth of weather forecasts for your local area
• Use your device’s integrated GPS to receive information relevant to your locale
• Receive severe weather warnings via Push notification
• Clutter control ensures false radar echoes are reduced
• Optional image smoothing ensures radar map views are as accurate as possible

Cons

• The feedback this app has received from users has generally been very positive, although one user ad this to say about the amount of detail available: “I've had this app on my iPhone 4s for nearly 2 yrs now. I've tried every available option during clear skies and major snow storms and still this app shows nothing or very little. I verified that I had a strong connection as well, still nothing other than the map displays. I wish I could "return" this app and get my money back. My friend with the same phone had the same experience and deleted it. Even if it's only a couple bucks I hate paying for something that doesn't work and being taken. I use 4 other Wx apps that do WAY more and are much more informative. It's surprising this actually is designed by NOAA people. It's nearly useless to me other than seeing what I already know. I wouldn't waste my money on this one if I were you. Hasn't even been an update since I got this app. What up NOAA??”

 

Final Words

NOAA Radar US - HD Weather Radar and Forecasts could probably do with a little more detail, but most of us don’t really require that much information about the weather on a daily basis so my advice would be to keep it simple and opt for an iPhone and iPad app like this which doesn’t bombard with information overload.