Customer Reviews (100)

brian kelley • 2025-03-24T16:43:34.818Z

love it

Linda C • 2025-03-24T14:10:48.172Z

Wunderground is the best weather app and has the best user interface, is intuitive, and has everything I need to plan my day or week.

Jackie M • 2025-03-24T13:15:20.791Z

Please fix this app! It was my favorite weather app - now it won't open.

Summary of Key Insights

The Weather Underground app is generally well-received, with users praising its accuracy, hyperlocal weather data, and robust features. The app’s strength lies in its ability to provide detailed and precise weather information, particularly due to its extensive network of personal weather stations (PWS). However, some users report issues with the app's usability, occasional bugs, and the obtrusive nature of ads (for non-premium users). The "windy" icon obscuring sky conditions is a recurring complaint. The overall sentiment is positive, reflected in the high percentage of 5-star reviews.

  • Overall Rating: High (primarily positive reviews)
  • Score Distribution: Skewed towards positive ratings, with 77% of reviews being 5-star and only 5% being 1-star.
  • Key Strengths: Accuracy, hyperlocal data, detailed information, user-friendly (for most).
  • Key Weaknesses: Occasional bugs, intrusive ads, usability issues (windy icon obscuring sky conditions, busy layout for some), inconsistent performance.

Data & Methodology Overview

  • Data Sample Size: 100 reviews
  • Time Frame: Not explicitly stated, but based on the review dates (e.g., 3/1/24, 5/29/25, 03/2025), the reviews span at least a year.
  • Analysis Methods:
    • Sentiment Analysis: Manual assessment of the sentiment expressed in each review (positive, negative, neutral).
    • Keyword Extraction: Identification of frequently used words and phrases to determine common themes and issues.
    • Frequency Analysis: Counting the number of times specific issues or features were mentioned.

Key User Pain Points

  • "Windy" Icon Obscuring Sky Conditions: Many users find it frustrating that the app displays a "windy" icon when wind speeds exceed a certain threshold, replacing information about sky conditions (sunny, cloudy, etc.). This makes it difficult to determine the overall weather conditions at a glance.
  • App Stability and Bugs: Some users report that the app occasionally fails to open, has inconsistent performance, or experiences issues with location search or saving favorite locations.
  • Intrusive Ads: Users who haven't subscribed to the premium version find the ads obtrusive and annoying. One user specifically cited "obscene ads."
  • Slow Startup Time: Some users complain about the app taking several seconds to start up.
  • Inconsistent Performance: Some users have reported the app not loading properly or the location menu failing to load.
  • Layout Issues: A few users find the layout to be busy and not user-friendly, particularly when compared to other weather apps like WeatherBug.

Frequently Requested Features

  • Pollen Data: Several users specifically mentioned the lack of pollen data, especially in comparison to competing weather apps.
  • Visual Graph Widget: One user mentioned the disappearance of the visual graph widget after an update and requested its return.
  • Dark Mode Widget: Users requested a dark theme widget option.
  • Yesterday's Weather Comparison: A user wanted the ability to see yesterday's weather for comparison.
  • Alerts/Notifications for "Perfect Time For" Feature: The "perfect time for" feature (forecasting good days/times based on user-defined parameters) would be more useful with alerts or notifications.
  • Decimal Point for Temperature: One user noted the temperature only showed whole numbers, and requested that a decimal point be added.

Strengths and Positive Aspects

  • Accuracy: The most frequently praised aspect of the app is its accuracy, particularly at the hyperlocal level.
  • Hyperlocal Data: Users appreciate the detailed weather information provided by the app's extensive network of personal weather stations.
  • Detailed Information: The app provides a comprehensive range of weather data, including temperature, wind speed, precipitation, humidity, tides, radar detail, and various maps.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Many users find the app easy to navigate and use, although some disagree (see pain points).
  • Robust Features: Users appreciate the app's many features, including interactive weather maps, severe weather alerts, and customizable settings.
  • Radar Detail: Several users specifically praised the detailed radar imagery.
  • Reliability: Many long-term users report consistent performance and satisfaction with the app.

Prioritized Action Recommendations

  • High Priority:

    • Address "Windy" Icon Issue: Implement a solution that allows users to see both wind information and sky conditions simultaneously. This could involve displaying both icons, providing an option to toggle between them, or redesigning the display to incorporate both elements.
    • Improve App Stability and Fix Bugs: Prioritize bug fixes and performance improvements to address issues with app crashes, slow startup times, and inconsistent loading.
    • Reduce Intrusiveness of Ads: Explore alternative ad formats or placement strategies that are less disruptive to the user experience. Consider offering a more affordable ad-free subscription tier.

  • Medium Priority:

    • Add Pollen Data: Integrate pollen data to meet user expectations and remain competitive with other weather apps.
    • Restore Visual Graph Widget: If feasible, restore the visual graph widget or provide an alternative visualization of weather data.
    • Improve Radar Functionality: Incorporate user feedback to update and improve the radar feature.

  • Low Priority:

    • Implement Dark Mode Widget: Add a dark theme widget option for users who prefer a muted home screen.
    • Add Yesterday's Weather Comparison: Include a feature that allows users to easily compare current weather conditions with those of the previous day.
    • Add Decimal Point to Temperature: Display temperature with a decimal point for increased precision.
    • Improve Location Search: Address issues related to searching and saving favorite locations.

Opportunities for Startup Ideas

  • Hyperlocal Weather Data Aggregation and API: A startup could focus on aggregating and providing hyperlocal weather data from personal weather stations through an API for other apps and services.
  • Customizable Weather Alerts Platform: Develop a platform that allows users to create highly customized weather alerts based on specific criteria (e.g., temperature ranges, wind speeds, precipitation types) and receive notifications through various channels.
  • Weather-Based Activity Recommendation Engine: Create an app that recommends activities based on current and forecasted weather conditions, taking into account user preferences and location.
  • Ad-Free Weather App with Unique Visualization: A weather app that emphasizes unique, intuitive visualizations of weather data and provides a seamless, ad-free experience through a subscription model.

Trends and Observations

  • Focus on Hyperlocal Accuracy: Users consistently emphasize the importance of accurate, hyperlocal weather data, highlighting the value of the Weather Underground's network of personal weather stations.
  • Importance of Visual Presentation: Users value clear and intuitive visualizations of weather data, as evidenced by the requests for a visual graph widget and complaints about the "windy" icon obscuring sky conditions.
  • Growing Demand for Pollen Information: The repeated requests for pollen data suggest a growing awareness and concern about allergies and air quality.
  • Sensitivity to Advertising: Users are becoming increasingly sensitive to intrusive advertising, particularly in apps that are used frequently.

Conclusion

The Weather Underground app is a valuable tool for users seeking accurate and detailed weather information, particularly at the hyperlocal level. While the app has many strengths, addressing the identified pain points, particularly those related to usability, stability, and advertising, will significantly improve the user experience and increase user satisfaction. Prioritizing the addition of requested features, such as pollen data and a visual graph widget, will further enhance the app's value and competitiveness. Overall, a focus on improving usability, addressing bugs, and providing a less intrusive ad experience will ensure the Weather Underground app remains a top choice for weather enthusiasts.

Original App Link

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.wunderground.android.weather