Met Office
weather app HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR UK WEATHER
Costs: free
daily & hourly forecasts, mountain area forecasts, individual summit forecasts
online only
Weather forecasts can be a crucial factor in deciding where or even whether to walk (70mph winds and blizzards – maybe stay home) and the Met Office app is one of the best there is, especially for hillwalkers. It gives hourly local weather forecasts each day and three-hourly ones for the following ones for the next five days. Locations with these forecasts include mountain summits. Each forecast gives expected temperatures, wind chill, rain or snowfall, wind speeds with maximum gusts, humidity, visibility and pressure. There are also general mountain forecasts for ten areas. These include mountain weather hazards such as gales and chill effect as well as the other information. The app also has an interactive rainfall radar map plus pollen and pollution forecasts and a UV index. There are real-time severe weather warnings too.
The app works quickly and it’s easy to move between locations and forecasts. I consult it before any walk, at high or low level. (In fact, I check it daily, so I have a picture of what the weather is doing, especially in winter). In my home hills of the Cairngorms, I often check the forecasts for summits at different heights and in different locations before deciding on my precise destination for the day. You can save three locations for regular checking and it’s easy to add others.
Of course, the forecast isn’t always correct, especially from hour to hour, but I’ve found it generally accurate. This app does require a phone signal, so it’s wise to check the forecast before losing your connection. I do so both the evening and morning before a walk.