Description of App
For USA Weather only:
wXL23 is a free, no-ads, and open-source ( GNU GPLv3 / APL2.0 ) advanced weather application that is geared towards storm chasers, meteorologists, and weather enthusiasts. NWS ( National Weather Service ) data is optimized for mobile format and provided for divisions not normally covered together in the mobile space: SPC, WPC, NHC, OPC, etc. Level 3 Nexrad radar (single, dual, quad pane). This weather app is not affiliated with NOAA or the National Weather Service.
If you *only* need current conditions and your local 7 day forecast then this app is probably more then you need although it will easily provide those 2 things as well. If you are looking for wasted screen real estate or fancy graphics this app is not for you. Given the depth of information covered there is a steep learning curve if you seek to use the program in it's entirety, help information is available and touched on below. Common weather acronyms
are used throughout so you should be familiar with those as well. Currently United States locations are supported.
- Current forecast, 7 day conditions, sounding data for an unlimited number of locations from NWS.
- Customizable home screen
- Metal based Nexrad radar interface with numerous options. 2 pane and 4 pane version also available in MISC tab.
- Optimized text product viewer for easy access to AFD, HWO and others from any NWS WFO.
- Vis/IR/WV/Radar mosaic viewer ( with animations ).
- SPC products (such as Watches/MCDs/Convective Outlooks/Mesoanalysis)
- WPC products
- Weather models
- NHC products
NOTE: iPhone 5s or newer required for Nexrad radar viewer.
Accessibility Comments
This app is overall very accessible with VoiceOver. The National Weather Service text products are easily navigable with VoiceOver, and the forecast screen is accessible. In my testing almost all buttons appear to be labeled, though VoiceOver does not have hints for actionable elements (so trial and error is the name of the game here). The only thing that did not work with VoiceOver is the ability to switch National Weather Service offices on the fly from the map view when viewing a text product like the Regional Weather Roundup. It also must be noted that the image-based products (like radar and forecast models) are not accessible with VoiceOver, but that's to be expected.