Weather app on your smartphone: so you don't get cold feet

Should you trust the sun in the sky or leave the house with an umbrella? Pack a hat and gloves for your day of hiking, or are a jumper and long trousers enough? Cancel your planned barbecue or hope for better weather? The weather is something we think about every day. Weather apps help us through sun, rain, storms and snow.

Whereas in the past we would check the weather forecast in the newspaper first thing in the morning, today we consult the weather app on our mobile phones. More than half of those surveyed usually check it first thing in the morning. Almost half (48 per cent) of users rely on the weather forecast in the app when choosing what to wear, without first checking the outside temperature themselves.

Weather apps: More than just sun and rain

Modern weather apps can do much more than just show whether it's raining or sunny. They provide minute-by-minute rain radar, UV index warnings, pollen count information, severe weather warnings and forecasts for specific activities such as hiking or winter sports. Widgets that display the weather directly on the home screen also make them practical companions in everyday life.

Free or premium?

Many weather apps are free in their basic version but are financed by advertising. Those who value ad-free displays, additional features or more detailed forecasts can usually switch to a paid subscription model. Depending on the provider, prices range from £0.99 to around £10 per month. Whether this is worthwhile depends on individual usage behaviour.

How reliable are the forecasts?

The quality of the forecasts depends heavily on the weather models and data sources used. Short-term forecasts – for the next one to three days, for example – are usually very accurate. The further into the future the forecast extends, the more uncertain it becomes. Some apps, such as WeatherPro and WetterOnline, use data from the German Weather Service (DWD) or European models such as ECMWF, which are considered to be particularly accurate.

According to a study by the industry association Bitkom, 9 out of 10 smartphone owners use weather apps. Use is most widespread among 30- to 49-year-olds and least widespread among the 65+ age group (69 per cent). But one thing applies to all of them: even the best app is not a crystal ball. Despite high-tech and algorithms, the weather always remains somewhat unpredictable.

Well-known weather apps

• WetterOnline: Very popular in Germany, with good forecast quality and clear rain radars.
• WeatherPro: Developed by meteorologists, very detailed and particularly suitable for weather enthusiasts.
  
• WarnWetter: The DWD app – ideal for severe weather warnings and reliable weather information. The basic version is free, the full version costs a one-time fee of £1.99.
  
• RegenRadar: Specialises in short-term forecasts and pinpoint rain tracking.
  
• Bergfex Wetter: Particularly popular in the Alpine region, offers accurate forecasts for outdoor sports enthusiasts.