SOCIAL MEDIA

SCATTERED SHOWERS

KNOWING WHETHER IT’S GOING TO RAIN MEANS YOU CAN PLAN ACCORDINGLY – TAKING ALONG A RAINCOAT OR UMBRELLA. IT BEATS BEING SOAKED TO THE SKIN WHILE DASHING TO THE CAR OR TO CATCH A BUS! WEATHER PLAYS A HUGE PART IN OUR LIVES AND HAVING THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION AT YOUR FINGERTIPS – OR ON YOUR MOBILE PHONE – CAN BE A LIFESAVER. DAVID BOWMAN HAS CHERRY PICKED THE MOST USEFUL APPS OUT THERE.

This app is the only feebased app in my selection this issue. It costs $2.99 – so less than R50. Not only does it provide the essential weather forecasts one needs to prepare for each day, but it also shows wind patterns all over the earth with its data based on numerical models. The detail is phenomenal – even if you’re not into synoptic charts or atmospheric pressure. The App will not only show you where precipitation will happen but what direction the wind is blowing from – and thus where the rain will be heading. It’s the sort of thing that cricket and Formula One commentators talk about when big events are being televised – and they either need to plan for a rain delay and get the covers on or teams need to start thinking about intermediate or wet weather tyres!

This app makes available to the public information that just a few years ago was only available to genuine meteorologists. I’d happily recommend this app to anyone with a personal or professional interest in the weather and climatology. WEATHER & RADAR (VENTUSKY)

Another app suggestion is, like most of the list, also free – but just because it’s free doesn’t mean it doesn’t have value.

Weather Live is simpler than most of the others but it includes the core features needed to be useful.

There is a 7 day and 24 hour forecast which shows wind speed and direction – as well as how cold the wind will feel. It also includes information about humidity and precipitation which is especially useful for those with long and difficult hair... An added bonus is that this app is compatible with the Apple Watch, making it the ultimate convenience for anyone who uses them. Basic but functional, I’d recommend this app to anyone who simply wants to know what the weather is going to do for the day. WEATHER LIVE (APALON APPS)

This next app is free and made by Apalon Apps. NOAA Weather Radar features a highly interactive map that is updated in real time. (NOAA stands for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, by the way, essentially the United States weather service.) The map features vivid colours for rain, snow, mixed precipitation and cloud cover to ensure the user can see whatever they need to properly plan their day.

The app also has notifications to warn users before a large natural event such as a tornado, flood warning or snow storm. A month or two ago, for example, it was possible to wach the development and movement of hurricanes Irma and Maria as they trailed devastation in their wake in the Caribbean.

As with any app, the amount of detail is dependent on how much you interact with it. If you want more, look at the information prompts on the map.

Since this one is free, I would recommend it to everyone. WEATHER RADAR & ALERTS (APALON APPS)

ACCUWEATHER – SUPERIOR ACCURACY (FREE) Another app which won’t cost you a cent – and the bonus is that you are able to personalise the home-screen to your needs.

The basic homescreen which has been redesigned features easy-to-find forecasts and requested weather details. But if you’re a keen wind or kite-surfer, you can tailor the forecast to find out what the wind is doing and whether the barometric pressure is rising or falling. Similarly if you’re a fisherman or sea kayaker, you can factor in the tide tables as well as the phases of the moon.

For travellers, there are two new features which should be singled out for special mention: the first is the Mosquito Zika Risk designed to show the likelihood of encountering the nasty critters, as well as the risk levels. And the second will be a boon not just for tourists but for hayfever sufferers – extended allergy forecasts have been included. So there’s a seven day forecast for all allergens which means you know whether to pack your antihistamines and other medication.

This was a personal favourite for that feature alone!