Storm-tested i-APP:

[DemoTex]

Childress, Texas
On the road to Oregon
5/11/2012

In the last three days I have driven through some hellacious weather. But my iPhone's "RadarScope" made it like flying a Boeing 737 with sophisticated on-board weather radar. It is the coolest "APP" I've encountered - so far.

In a nutshell, I plug the iPhone into the DC receptacle (cigarette lighter hole) and ride with the iPhone in a cup-holder cradle. I go to "SETTINGS - GENERAL" and disable the screen time-out. Then, I select the RadarScope icon.

I can then click on a small blue icon to mark and track my truck's position (through the GPS function of the iPhone). That overlays on the radar weather map AND a highway map. Another button allows you to pick the radar site feeding the "RadarScope." So you can actually look at weather ahead to plan your trip in near-time.

It was tested to the max today as I left Dallas - in severe weather - headed to Childress, Texas (short of Amarillo). I watched the weather ahead in anticipation (at least in a B-737, I could turn). I could see the heavy areas, and the red boxes for tornadoes. If a red box (Tornado Warning) had overlayed my route, I could have stopped or sought shelter. That is worth the price of the APP.

What a great advantage on the road! Given the higher than normal levels of severe weather nationwide, I'd recommend setting this app for your own use.

mac

[Gman]

1. I've been using the NOAA Radar iPhone app

and used it yesterday while driving down through the Victoria, Cuero, Gonzales areas during the heavy weather down here yesterday. While all the warnings for the counties were very timely, I was a bit disappointed in not being able to clearly pinpoint where I was on the radar map, which I had to do by just in general dead reckoning.

I think I'll try RadarScope next. The price is negligible next to the value of being caught out on a road with a severe storm or tornado coming your way and you don't really know. At home I watch the reflectivity and velocity images when it starts getting rough. When traveling, I'll try to use these while navigating to the respective NWS radar stations I'm closest to. But I probably can't pinpoint my position with any better than +/- 10-15 miles.

Think I'll give RadarScope a shot. With a cold front supposed to drift down next week, it'll probably come in handy. I've got to go to Del Rio and then the Hill Country.

[DemoTex]

2. 10-4

The more info, the merrier!

mac

[Gman]

3. And I just downloaded it

And checking out the storms over toward Houston tonight and the GPS feature, even though I'm in San Antonio. This is exactly what I need. Thanks.

[DemoTex]

4. It is indeed a cool APP.

Enjoy.

[hootinholler]

5. Android has Radar Now

Which does similar. Not sure if it shows alert boxes.

[Cave_Johnson]

6. I need an app...

... that alerts me when it is about to rain, wherever I am.

I drive a Jeep and usually have my top off during the summer. I also work in a secure facility and it is easy to miss a fast moving storm.

Does it do that?

[KatyaR]

8. There's a couple that I've read about recently.

There's Ourcast, which is a free app. I'm trying this out now, but since we haven't had any bad weather in the last couple days, I can't tell you how well it works.

There's also an app called DarkSky. I've read quite a bit about this but haven't tried it yet.

Enjoy! (And I'm jealous of your Jeep. I used to have one, I really miss it.)

[Cave_Johnson]

9. Found one..

Rain Alarm...

Free and gives me area coverage and distance..

Just right..

[Stinky The Clown]

7. Is tracking your position via GPS part of the app itslef or part of some other app?

Does the position keep moving as your vehicle keeps moving?