Many popular weather apps pull raw forecast data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service and can change frequently because the information is updated automatically without human interpretation.
According to Meteorologist John Gross, weather apps have become more common as people look for convenient forecasts “in the palm of their hand,” but said users should treat most apps as a reference rather than a source to rely on for specifics during high-impact weather.
He explained that the data shown in apps often comes from forecast models such as the HRRR, NAM, GFS, the Euro and newer artificial intelligence models. Gross said model output can shift with each new batch of data, causing forecasts to fluctuate, especially for snowfall totals.
As an example, Gross said an app might show a foot of snow a week ahead, then drop to 6 inches days later, then to 2 inches about 24 hours out as the atmosphere is sampled more and the forecast becomes more precise.
Forecasts can also be less accurate farther out because many U.S. weather systems originate over the Pacific Ocean, where the atmosphere cannot be sampled as well as it can over land.
Gross detailed that apps do not handle high-impact weather days well, including winter storms and severe weather, and he encouraged viewers to look for information from a meteorologist who can interpret the data and evaluate whether a forecast scenario is feasible.
He also warned that weather-related posts on social media can be misleading, saying some pages he described as “mediologists” share dramatic claims for likes, shares and hype.
He cited an example of a post claiming “one to two feet of snow and deadly flurries,” which he said was not credible, and he noted such pages may not be verified or certified by the American Meteorological Society.
Gross pointed viewers to the 9&10 weather app, which includes a detailed forecast section that is updated by station staff and includes human interpretation alongside model guidance.
In closing, Gross explained that weather apps can be useful on quiet weather days, but people should seek reliable sources — especially during major storms — and use common sense when reading forecasts that seem exaggerated.