Why Charlotte meteorologist Brad Panovich wants you to delete your Apple weather app
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Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: WCNC
Brad Panovich says it's for your own good (and his): Delete the default weather app off your phone. "I'm tired of taking the blame for it," the Charlotte meteorologist posted on social media recently.
Why it matters: An inaccurate weather forecast can ruin your day. It's how we plan what to wear, where to go and what to do.
Yes, but: Most people still use stock weather apps (or as Panovich and others call them, "crap apps") that are automatically uploaded to their devices simply for the sake of convenience.
How it works: These apps rely on automated information, sometimes from unknown sources, without human insight.
- The apps also can't filter out "ground clutter" or "false returns" on a radar, Panovich explains. For example, on a sunny day, it might interpret wildfire smoke as a thunderstorm.
Case in point: Last fall, when Hurricane Helene was coming, one of those apps might've only warned of a 100% chance of rain with a thunderstorm icon, Panovich explains.
- "There's nothing in the app that tells you this is going to be a catastrophic flood, and there's going to be landslides and the worst storm to ever hit western North Carolina," Panovich adds.
By the numbers: Default apps are right about 80% to 85% of the time, Panovich says. However, human-driven forecasts reach about 90% to 95% accuracy. That roughly 10% of added value may seem insignificant, but could be a difference of 25 to 50 days out of your year.
- "If that's your day off or a holiday or maybe you got a wedding, that day could be pretty important," Panovich says.
Be smart: There are better options, Panovich says. Of course, he plugs WCNC's app. However, any app from a local TV station is a more reliable choice.
- You're not only getting better information, but you're also supporting local news and businesses that advertise on the app, Panovich says.
The bottom line: "The weather app is probably the first thing I would delete and download a new one on any device," Panovich says.