Online Weather Resources
Yes, in addition to local weather maps and forecasts for thousands of cities around the world, the Internet offers a wide array of tools to help you learn about weather phenomena, keep current with weather conditions, and alert you to approaching storms. Here are some of favorite weather-related websites and online services.
The Weather Channel website offers many useful features, such as the free Desktop Weather software for Windows. The current temperature for the city of your choice will show in your system tray. Click the icon, and Desktop Weather will display the latest weather conditions and forecasts. (Mac users: check out EarthBrowser. Sign up for Inbox Weather and they'll e-mail you the forecast daily.
Want to dig a little deeper? Weather Channel also offers health-related weather info such as Pollen Reports, Air Quality Forecast, Aches and Pains, and Skin Protection. If you're planning a trip across the USA, look for the Interstate Forecast planner before you go. You'll find color-coded maps showing weather conditions for cities along your way, and printable 10-day forecasts along the major U.S. interstate highways.
BBC Weather Centre
Weather forecasts for the UK and cities around the world. You can also check out the World Skiing Guide, the Weather Quiz, Fact Of The Day, and (for serious weather nerds) the Weather Chatrooms. Find it at http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
Weather Underground
Weather Underground is noteworthy because it offers historical weather data, astronomical info, and links to personal weather stations operated by individuals in your area. Check it out here: http://www.wunderground.com.
Weather Pictures and Weather Cams
Want to see amazing pictures of hurricanes, tornados, cloud formations, rainbows, sunrise/sunsets, and other weather phenomena? How about live webcams showing the current weather conditions in hundreds of cities around the world? Check out these links:
- http://www.weatherpictures.nl
- http://www.wunderground.com/wximage/viewimages.html
- http://www.weatherimages.org/weathercams
Severe Storms
The National Severe Storms Laboratory is an internationally known research laboratory, leading the way in investigations of all aspects of severe weather. NSSL's Weather Room provides information for kids and adults. Learn the what, where, whys, and hows on tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning, and thunderstorms. There are also resources for teachers to print and use for weather education in the classroom.
Find it at http://www.nssl.noaa.gov.
A related site operated by the US government's National Weather Service is the Storm Prediction Center, which will show graphical maps of the USA with Watch, Warning and Advisory bulletins. An RSS feed is also available to provide the latest information about approaching hurricanes, tornados, severe storms, floods and fires. Perhaps more convenient (but not free) is the Weather.com Notify! service which will send you urgent storm alerts by phone, e-mail, text message or pager. This service is customized for your location and is free for seven days.
Got a favorite weather-related website? Post your comments below...