The Top Weather Apps for the IPhone, IPad, and IPod Touch

The iPhone platform is home to many free, ad-supported weather apps. The three top titles all include standard features like local weather forecasts, live radar, and current conditions. Each makes a great addition to the iPhone library of storm buffs as well as any one interested in the weather.

The Weather Channel App for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

Considering that the Weather Channel is the most well-known brand in weather forecasting, it makes perfect sense that they offer a weather app for the iPhone. The free version of their weather app is perfect for checking the local weather forecast, as well as keeping an eye on the radar when things get stormy.

The Weather Channel app features a smooth and clear interface with any advertising displayed at the top of the screen. A menu bar at the bottom provides easy access to weather forecasts, radar maps, and severe weather information. Like all three apps featured, the user's favorite locations can be saved for later retrieval.

In addition to simply displaying the weather information, local and regional video forecasts are available; some even providing the infamous Weather Channel music. This is a well-programed weather app providing good functionality and a nice layout.

AccuWeather's App for the iOS 4 Mobile Operating System

AccuWeather is a company with a history of providing weather forecasting services since the early 1960s. Their free iPhone weather app is functional, but suffers from the occasional bug on Apple's new iOS 4 operating system.

The AccuWeather iPhone app features an interface similar to that from the Weather Channel. Advertising appears at the top of the screen, with two sets of menu bars at the bottom used to navigate the app. Local forecasts and radar information are viewable as well as items unique to AccuWeather, like rainfall estimates and the risks of certain weather phenomena occurring.

AccuWeather's app also provides a 15-day forecast, but its accuracy is debatable. The app occasionally displays the wrong radar for the current location, but restarting the app usually fixes that problem. All told, this is still a worthy app featuring information not contained in the other two apps.

The WeatherBug App for the iPhone Platform

WeatherBug is another private weather forecasting company providing a free, ad-supported app for the iPhone platform. The WeatherBug app stands apart from the other two profiled apps by providing live camera views from each saved location. This is useful for seeing the current weather in action.

The app's interface is a bit more clunky than the other two, with the advertising panel appearing above the menu bar at the bottom of the screen. A set of arrows at the top allows navigation between the saved locations.

The other information provided by the WeatherBug app is similar to the other apps profiled. Current conditions, forecasts, and maps including radar are all easily accessible. Video forecasts are also provided.

These three free weather apps for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch are all worthy of downloading. They are useful for both weather buffs and general users just wanting to know which way the wind blows.