Comments on Windows 8 Weather App

1
Comments on Windows 8 Weather App

• Cliff Mass
• UW

2
Overall Comments

• Slicker presentation that provides basic
  information in an accessible way.
• Essentially traditional in terms of data sources
  and capabilities.
• WDT Hourly forecasts seem problematic and
  observations/forecasts are not updated frequently
  enough.
• WDT weather graphics are not realistic and
  coarse, particularly precipitation.

3
Specific Comments

• Forecasts are all deterministicsingle
  valuedwith no information about probabilities,
  except for precipitation. No information on
  forecast confidence or how reliability of
  forecasts change in time.
• No observations around the point of interest and
  maps are generally for national or regional
  scales.
• No nowcasting guidance.
• What is happening now and in the near future
• Warnings for inclement weather approaching
• No easy access to cams.

4
Specific Comments

• No ability to click on a local map to get
  observed and forecast weatherthe National
  Weather Service has a MUCH better interface to do
  this.
• Have to type in name of locationthis really
  should be changed.
• No decision-assistance appsshould I do a bike
  ride or hike or ? When should I water my lawn?
• No ability to get at past observations at a
  location (what was the high temperature two days
  ago?)

5
Climatology

• It would be very useful to be able to make
  weather queries based on climatological data.
• When is the best period for dry conditions for a
  wedding in Seattle during the summer?
• Best time for vacation at location X.
• Where is the driest place in state or country X
  in month Y?

6
Sharing

• No way to share ones own weather observations or
  to see what other are experiencing.
• Could be both text and imagery.
• Would be particularly effective if observations
  are accessible with a map interface.
• Such capabilities are highly attractive and would
  draw many.