WeatherBug Accuracy Win Over TWC - The Numbers Tell All

Ever since the initial release of the very first WeatherBug iPhone application, there has been some question as to what exactly makes us “different” from the other guys on this platform. After all, we’re just “reporting the weather”, right? How could one company provide a better experience with regard to the weather more so than the competition?

Well basically it comes down to accuracy. Not just in being able to give you the most accurate temperature possible based on your location, but also providing you with the most accurate storm data as it is about to unfold onto your doorstep.

In this post, we will be comparing how two iPhone weather applications handle a storm hitting Germantown, MD here in the states. The two applications in question are WeatherBug and TWC (The Weather Channel) app.

Here in slide one above, it immediately becomes clear something is not right (click images for larger view). Let’s start off with the update times as they compare to the actual time shown on the iPhone screenshot. On the left, we have the WeatherBug app and the actual time there is 4:16. Last update was 4:16. Cool.With TWC app however, iPhone time of two minutes later and the last update was 4:05. Remember, that a fairly major storm is approaching in this example given.

By 4:36, we immediately see the temp drop drastically on WeatherBug’s app. And as many of you likely know, this can lead to serious storm activity. The WeatherBug app reflects this as it was updated as of 4:36 while TWC on the other hand was updated at 4:25 AND is not showing the correct temp.

By this point in the image above, we see WeatherBug trucking along with the correct temp, correct wind speed and radar imagery at the time of 4:50 with the last update at 4:49. TWC at the same actual time of events, has their last update at 4:45. Worse, their displayed temp is dangerously inaccurate.

Finally above, we have TWC caught up with what is close to the accurate temp, wind speed and so on. The time is between 7:30 and 7:31. TWC managed to get the application the correct data finally, it just took awhile…

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Accuracy matters

Now let’s say you live in tornado country. Which application would you be using on your iPhone? The one that is slow to provide the correct data or the one providing it to you in real time? Answer should be PAINFULLY obvious by now.

So why in the world was there such a significant difference in accuracy here? First of all, it helps to have weather stations in places besides just the nearest airport. WeatherBug not only has access to the National Weather Service stations, they also maintain the single largest network of privately owned weather stations on the planet. This is simply an area that TWC is not able to compete at this time.

Another critical factor is update intervals. WeatherBug is keeping their weather data updated in near real time. This is not data from half an hour ago, this is the real deal, as it happens.

Where can you get WeatherBug for your iPhone?

Why, from the app store of course! Also WeatherBug for the iPhone comes in two distinct flavors - regular ad-supported version (like TWC’s) or for a small fee, you can have the Elite edition ad-free with additional features!