The Best Storm Tracker Apps of 2024 (2024)

Best Products > Software

Tracking a storm can ensure you are prepared to take care of yourself and your family

James Kerley

Writer

Naropa University

James Kerley is an award-winning freelance technology writer, consultant, the former Editorial Manager for Yahoo!, and Senior Editor at MapQuest.

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Updated on January 22, 2024

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Whether you’re looking to live out your dreams of being a storm chaser vicariously through others or know if there will be a major flood in the next few hours, there’s a storm tracker app for you.

Severe weather can knock out phone, electrical, and water lines. To stay connected with others during storms, consider buying a walkie-talkie set, just in case.

For Hyperlocal Storm Info: Weather Underground

What We Like

Very accurate for local weather.
Utilizes a massive network of weather stations and is constantly growing.
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What We Don't Like

Less focus on severe weather, meaning less features for storm tracking in some cases.
Not always as accurate for tracking storms outside of your local region.

Whether you're chasing a storm or trying to avoid one, it's tough to beat Weather Underground for accurate, up-to-date, hyperlocal weather forecasting. This is for when you need to know what's happening nearby or perhaps when you're hot on the heels of a local storm.

With data compiled from over 250,000 weather stations, Weather Underground takes the approach that the future of weather forecasting is in building a platform you can personalize. For storm trackers, this is a must-have app.

Download For:

iOS

Android

For More Than Radar: Weatherbug

What We Like

Very accurate.
Provides data besides just radar that storm trackers will find important.

What We Don't Like

It's still a general app, not a severe-weather app, so you may not get everything you want here.
Reserves some features for a subscription version.
As a general weather app, isn't that distinguishable from other weather apps.

Radar will drive your storm-tracking app experience, but sometimes you want more. When tracking storms, you need to pay attention to more than just radar—you also need to understand what's happening with windchill, pressure, UV index, and more. This is where Weatherbug has storm trackers covered. Follow Doppler radar or check out real-time updates on lightning strikes, all from a single app.

Download For:

iOS

Android

For the Casual Storm Tracker: The Weather Channel

What We Like

Easy to use.
Quick snapshot of general weather information.
Free to download on both iOS and Android platforms.

What We Don't Like

Can be too general and not as accurate for certain regions.
Radar features aren't nearly as robust as many other storm-tracking apps.
Not designed specifically for storm tracking.

If you're just casually interested in tracking storms or need a glance at upcoming weather, the Weather Channel app is hard to beat. It offers a user-friendly interface with all the general weather information you need, locally or nationwide.

The Weather Channel app can also detect when you're in a severe weather zone and automatically send notifications when there's a severe storm warning. You can also view past and future radars anywhere on the map, giving accurate, detailed information on what's happening with severe weather.

Download For:

iOS

Android

For Realtime Data: Clime NOAA Weather Radar Live

What We Like

Provides international storm tracking data.
Utilizes highly accurate data sources.
Excellent radar overlays.

What We Don't Like

Can be too general and not as accurate locally.
Reserves some of the best features for a subscription fee.

When it comes to raw weather data, you're not going to beat the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA Weather Radar Live visualizes NOAA and National Weather Service (NWS) data into radar overlays and satellite imagery, giving you a precise look at what storms are doing across the country or internationally. If you want to track a hurricane in Denmark, this is the app for you.

Download For:

iOS

Android

For Wannabe Storm Chasers: RadarScope

What We Like

Extremely accurate radar data.
Realtime updates that professional storm chasers use.

What We Don't Like

It's only about radar, you won't find much else here.
At a $9.99 price point, only for those getting serious about storm tracking.

If you're ready to start chasing down storms yourself, or you want to take your storm tracking to the next level, RadarScope is the storm weather app for you.

Used by professionals in the field, RadarScope lives up to its name with an intense focus on all things radar. Utilizing over 233 individual radar sites, RadarScope gathers all the storm tracking data you'll ever need and packages them into a customizable dashboard you can tweak to your liking. In addition to iOS and Android apps, RadarScope also offers apps for smartwatches and desktop.

Download For:

iOS

Android

For Thrillseekers: Live Storm Chasing

What We Like

One of the few apps featuring real, live storm chasing video.
Crowdsources storm chasing video from legitimate storm chasers.

What We Don't Like

Not always live video to watch if a storm chaser isn't currently streaming.

Some storm chasers are in it for the science, while others are in it for the thrill. If you're looking to get a taste of what it's like to be in the latter's shoes, Live Storm Chasing offers an app where legitimate storm chasers can live stream video from the road. It's one of the only live-video platforms created specifically for storm chasers to share their live video feeds.

Download For:

iOS

Android

Should You Buy a Personal Weather Station?

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