This page contains links to various websites and apps that I have found to be useful and informative. I am compensated in no way for including any of the websites or apps listed on this page.
Forecasting
The National Weather Service offers local forecasts, severe warnings, forecast discussions, and much more.
The Storm Prediction Center forecasts severe weather probabilities across the continental U.S. for days 1-8. Other products they provide are fire forecasts, severe weather watches, mesoscale discussions, storm reports, and more.
The Weather Prediction Center forecasts precipitation types and amounts across the continental U.S. for days 1-7. They also provide surface maps, excessive rain outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and more.
The Climate Prediction Center provides 6-10 and 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlooks. These outlooks display the probability of temperatures or precipitation amounts being above or below normal during the forecast period across the entire US. The CPC also provides information on current drought conditions and trends.
The National Hurricane Center focuses on tropical cyclones and disturbances in the eastern north Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They issue advisories and warnings for tropical activity, as well as provide different products dealing with tropical weather system attributes, such as system movement, timing, and wind speed.
Florida State University's Tropical Cyclone Model Page is a great source for viewing what various weather models are forecasting for tropical activity.
Saint Louis University's Cooperative Institute for Precipitation Systems (CIPS) provides a great tool for forecasters in the form of analog guidance. They have pages for short-range analog guidance, extended-range analog guidance, probability of severe weather, and deterministic model guidance.
Dr. Victor Gensini's webpage has several sources that aid in forecasting severe weather at extended lead times.
College of DuPage's Next Generation Weather Lab is a great site for viewing model data, as well as radar and satellite imagery.
Pivotal Weather and TwisterData are also sites for viewing model output and model-derived soundings.
Space Weather Prediction Center is in charge of monitoring the Earth's space environment. They provide forecasts, alerts, and warnings for the US based on various solar and geophysical activity.
Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction Map provides a week-by-week approximate forecast for fall colors across the continental United States.
The Storm Prediction Center forecasts severe weather probabilities across the continental U.S. for days 1-8. Other products they provide are fire forecasts, severe weather watches, mesoscale discussions, storm reports, and more.
The Weather Prediction Center forecasts precipitation types and amounts across the continental U.S. for days 1-7. They also provide surface maps, excessive rain outlooks, mesoscale discussions, and more.
The Climate Prediction Center provides 6-10 and 8-14 day temperature and precipitation outlooks. These outlooks display the probability of temperatures or precipitation amounts being above or below normal during the forecast period across the entire US. The CPC also provides information on current drought conditions and trends.
The National Hurricane Center focuses on tropical cyclones and disturbances in the eastern north Pacific and Atlantic oceans. They issue advisories and warnings for tropical activity, as well as provide different products dealing with tropical weather system attributes, such as system movement, timing, and wind speed.
Florida State University's Tropical Cyclone Model Page is a great source for viewing what various weather models are forecasting for tropical activity.
Saint Louis University's Cooperative Institute for Precipitation Systems (CIPS) provides a great tool for forecasters in the form of analog guidance. They have pages for short-range analog guidance, extended-range analog guidance, probability of severe weather, and deterministic model guidance.
Dr. Victor Gensini's webpage has several sources that aid in forecasting severe weather at extended lead times.
College of DuPage's Next Generation Weather Lab is a great site for viewing model data, as well as radar and satellite imagery.
Pivotal Weather and TwisterData are also sites for viewing model output and model-derived soundings.
Space Weather Prediction Center is in charge of monitoring the Earth's space environment. They provide forecasts, alerts, and warnings for the US based on various solar and geophysical activity.
Smoky Mountains Fall Foliage Prediction Map provides a week-by-week approximate forecast for fall colors across the continental United States.
METEOROLOGICAL Data and SOftware
GRLevelX is software for viewing radar data, storm reports, warnings, and more. GRLevel3 allows users to view live and archived Level III data, while GRAnalyst features include the use of live and archived Level II data, the ability to take cross sections, volume rendering, and much more.
The National Centers for Environmental Information has archived Level II and Level III radar data available through their NEXRAD Inventory and Level II radar data on their Amazon Web Services page.
SimuAWIPS provides users with a program for analyzing model data, observations, radar data, and satellite data.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Data Buoy Center provides a point-and-click map for buoy weather data in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
The National Centers for Environmental Information has archived Level II and Level III radar data available through their NEXRAD Inventory and Level II radar data on their Amazon Web Services page.
SimuAWIPS provides users with a program for analyzing model data, observations, radar data, and satellite data.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Data Buoy Center provides a point-and-click map for buoy weather data in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
STorm chasing and storm spotting
I went on a storm chasing trip through College of DuPage's Storm Chasing Program in the spring of 2012, and it was one of the best chasing experiences I've ever had and a great introduction to storm chasing. They are one of the most reasonably priced storm chasing tours out there, and are led by experienced meteorology professors.
Stormtrack is a website dedicated solely to storm chasers and weather enthusiasts. There's a live chat, numerous forums full of information, weather-related news, and much more. Whether you are a veteran chaser or someone who is new to the field, this is the site to visit to stay up to date on and learn about everything storm chasing.
SKYWARN is a program developed by the National Weather Service where trained weather spotters report severe and dangerous weather to help meteorologists make warning and forecast decisions. This link also provides some great information on what it means to be a storm spotter and how to become one.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, & Snow Network (CoCoRaHs) is a community-based network of trained volunteers that report measurements of rain, hail, and snow. These reports are then used by many different organizations, businesses, and individuals. Since it is community-based, anyone can participate.
mPING is an free app created by the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory that is available on both Apple and Android mobile devices. Users can report what type of precipitation they are experiencing at their current location. These reports are then plotted on a map for other users to see.
Stormtrack is a website dedicated solely to storm chasers and weather enthusiasts. There's a live chat, numerous forums full of information, weather-related news, and much more. Whether you are a veteran chaser or someone who is new to the field, this is the site to visit to stay up to date on and learn about everything storm chasing.
SKYWARN is a program developed by the National Weather Service where trained weather spotters report severe and dangerous weather to help meteorologists make warning and forecast decisions. This link also provides some great information on what it means to be a storm spotter and how to become one.
The Community Collaborative Rain, Hail, & Snow Network (CoCoRaHs) is a community-based network of trained volunteers that report measurements of rain, hail, and snow. These reports are then used by many different organizations, businesses, and individuals. Since it is community-based, anyone can participate.
mPING is an free app created by the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory that is available on both Apple and Android mobile devices. Users can report what type of precipitation they are experiencing at their current location. These reports are then plotted on a map for other users to see.
Education AND Safety
The Education and Resource Collections pages by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration offer numerous educational resources on oceans, weather, climate, and more.
*NEW* The National Weather Service Education site also has education resources and more for both students and educators.
This Cloud Chart provided by the National Weather Service is a quick guide to the many different types of clouds that can populate our skies.
This source on Weather Vanes by Alan's Factory Outlet provides a brief history about this "old-school" tool used to measure wind direction and instructions on how to make them.
UCAR’s Kid’s Crossing, University of Illinois’ Treehouse Weather Kids, and eSchoolToday are great educational resources about meteorology for use by kids and teachers. Playground Equipment also has a thorough list of educational resources for kids.
JetStream is an online school for weather provided by the National Weather Service that is for anyone who is interested in learning about weather and weather safety.
ADT has a tool that allows users to enter their address and see what natural disaster types are most common in their area.
*NEW* AAAStateofPlay describes different types of natural disasters and provides informational links for each type of disaster.
BePrepared and SafeStars provide general information on tornadoes and tornado safety that is geared toward both kids and adults.
Angie's List and University of Nevada, Reno both provide numerous details and resources on how to prepare for and respond to severe weather or other natural disasters.
*NEW* ProductDiggers and Direct Energy have excellent guides on how to prepare for the time before, during, and after a hurricane.
BuyAutoInsurance has put together a guide on how to stay safe while driving through a variety of weather hazards.
FEMA's website, Ready, is a great resource for educators and parents who are teaching kids about nature-based emergencies and how to prepare for them.
The National Weather Service’s Safety Page has information on how to be safe in a variety of weather conditions.
Weather-Ready Nation was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in order to increase awareness of how government and non-government organizations, businesses, and schools can prepare for any type of extreme weather.
The National Severe Storms Laboratory's HotSeat is a web-based simulator created by the National Weather Service in Atlanta, GA that allows users to issue tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for storms.
The Weather Prediction is a great educational website on meteorology and forecasting. If you're interested in how to forecast or just simply want to know what your local broadcast meteorologist is talking about, this is the place to go.
These Forecasting Books by experienced meteorologist Tim Vasquez are packed full of useful forecasting information. These are just some of the many products and services he offers to meteorologists and forecasters through his website Weather Graphics.
MetEd is a website that provides courses and lessons on topics in many sub-disciplines of atmospheric science for forecasters, researchers, students, and weather enthusiasts.
*NEW* The National Weather Service Education site also has education resources and more for both students and educators.
This Cloud Chart provided by the National Weather Service is a quick guide to the many different types of clouds that can populate our skies.
This source on Weather Vanes by Alan's Factory Outlet provides a brief history about this "old-school" tool used to measure wind direction and instructions on how to make them.
UCAR’s Kid’s Crossing, University of Illinois’ Treehouse Weather Kids, and eSchoolToday are great educational resources about meteorology for use by kids and teachers. Playground Equipment also has a thorough list of educational resources for kids.
JetStream is an online school for weather provided by the National Weather Service that is for anyone who is interested in learning about weather and weather safety.
ADT has a tool that allows users to enter their address and see what natural disaster types are most common in their area.
*NEW* AAAStateofPlay describes different types of natural disasters and provides informational links for each type of disaster.
BePrepared and SafeStars provide general information on tornadoes and tornado safety that is geared toward both kids and adults.
Angie's List and University of Nevada, Reno both provide numerous details and resources on how to prepare for and respond to severe weather or other natural disasters.
*NEW* ProductDiggers and Direct Energy have excellent guides on how to prepare for the time before, during, and after a hurricane.
BuyAutoInsurance has put together a guide on how to stay safe while driving through a variety of weather hazards.
FEMA's website, Ready, is a great resource for educators and parents who are teaching kids about nature-based emergencies and how to prepare for them.
The National Weather Service’s Safety Page has information on how to be safe in a variety of weather conditions.
Weather-Ready Nation was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in order to increase awareness of how government and non-government organizations, businesses, and schools can prepare for any type of extreme weather.
The National Severe Storms Laboratory's HotSeat is a web-based simulator created by the National Weather Service in Atlanta, GA that allows users to issue tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for storms.
The Weather Prediction is a great educational website on meteorology and forecasting. If you're interested in how to forecast or just simply want to know what your local broadcast meteorologist is talking about, this is the place to go.
These Forecasting Books by experienced meteorologist Tim Vasquez are packed full of useful forecasting information. These are just some of the many products and services he offers to meteorologists and forecasters through his website Weather Graphics.
MetEd is a website that provides courses and lessons on topics in many sub-disciplines of atmospheric science for forecasters, researchers, students, and weather enthusiasts.
Mobile Apps
RadarScope is a radar app for the serious weather enthusiast. You don't have to be a professional meteorologist to use it, but for $9.99, you should probably know how to work it and understand all its features. For a $9.99/year subscription, you can have access to some additional features, such as real-time lightning data. This can be downloaded on both Android and Apple devices.
If you're looking for an inexpensive, simple radar app, MyRadar is the one for you. There is a free version, but paying a couple extra bucks will give you some cool upgrades. It also gives point forecasts for any location in the U.S., as well as displays current temperatures across the U.S. and in coastal waters. This app is available on both Android and Apple devices.
I use the NOAA NWS mobile version for looking at forecasts on my phone. Just type in your desired forecast location and you'll have a 7 day forecast, forecast discussion, radar, and much more at your fingertips and it doesn't cost a thing with no ads! Just bookmark it to your mobile device's home screen and you're good to go.
If you're looking for an inexpensive, simple radar app, MyRadar is the one for you. There is a free version, but paying a couple extra bucks will give you some cool upgrades. It also gives point forecasts for any location in the U.S., as well as displays current temperatures across the U.S. and in coastal waters. This app is available on both Android and Apple devices.
I use the NOAA NWS mobile version for looking at forecasts on my phone. Just type in your desired forecast location and you'll have a 7 day forecast, forecast discussion, radar, and much more at your fingertips and it doesn't cost a thing with no ads! Just bookmark it to your mobile device's home screen and you're good to go.
