As winter draws ever closer, it pays to be prepared. Luckily, there’s an app for that. From weather forecasts to keeping an eye on the travel, here is a roundup of the best apps to get you ready for the cold weather.
BBC Weather
FREE on Android and iOS
Voted the most reliable weather app across both the Android and Apple app store, the BBC weather app is the place to go to check the weather forecast.
The new version now has weather warnings available from the menu page to quickly inform you of any adverse weather conditions, and is also now fully supported on iPad.
The simple but attractive layout is clear and informative and the hour-by-hour UK forecast is accurate and reliable. You can also share forecasts to forewarn your friends of any impending snow and storms.
Swackett
FREE on Android and iOS
As it gets cold outside, it can get difficult to know how many layers to wear when leaving the house. Everyone has had that moment when walking to work when they wish they had worn an extra jumper or jacket.
Swackett combines raw weather data with symbols, peeps, to advise the appropriate way to dress for the weather. The 24-hour and 5-day forecasts lets you plan your wardrobe so you won’t be caught in the cold.
The forecast takes windchill into account, so it gives you the real temperature and what it will feel like, then advising how many layers the average person will need. It even lets you know when you will need an umbrella or sunglasses.
National Rail Enquiries
FREE on Android and iOS
Where better to get the updates on how the trains are running in the cold weather than from National Rail?
The National Rail Enquiries app gives real time journey planning for all trains in Great Britain, including London Underground and DLR. The live train departures and free alerts let you know if your train is delayed or cancelled in the bad weather. You can save your favourite journeys and even pin a train to follow its journey after its departure.
However, I must say that if trains are cancelled as they were in the big October storm, most rail lines have great updates and customer response on their Twitter feeds if you have any direct questions.
Highways Agency
FREE on Android and iOS
When it gets icy on the roads its likely there will be some extra traffic on the roads. Avoid the jams by checking ahead with the Highways Agency App.
The app allows you to check how the traffic is flowing on motorways and major A roads in England with official live updates from the Highways Agency Traffic Control Centre with both roadworks and incidents displayed on the same search screen,
The latest version includes the Bookmarks feature, allowing you to save your most recently used traffic feeds so you can check the traffic quickly before you leave your house.
Snow Forecast
FREE on Android and iOS
For those who like to embrace the cold and the snow, this is a great app to keep track of the conditions at ski resorts around the world.
The database covers over 2,500 ski resorts worldwide, with geolocation built in the show your closest ski resort. You view detailed 6 day snow forecasts and can sign up for snow alerts to see when is best to hit the slopes.
Visualise the information in charts, on weather maps or use resort webcams for selected sites to check out the visual for yourself.
