Forecast NotesNeed help or found a bug? Email support@eidotrope.org.
It helps to include your device, the app version (shown at the bottom of About in the app) and the forecast office you were reading.
Common questions
What is an Area Forecast Discussion?
Several times a day, every National Weather Service forecast office publishes plain-language notes from the meteorologists on duty. They explain what the forecasters are watching, how confident they are and why the forecast says what it does. Forecast Notes shows the latest one for your area.
The app says my area isn't supported.
The National Weather Service covers the United States and its territories only. If you're outside them, or your device reports a location outside them, tap Offices and choose any office from the list.
How do I switch to a different office?
On iPhone and iPad, tap Offices and search by city, state or office code (for example "Boston", "CO" or "SEW"). On Apple Watch, tap the arrow before the office name. Mark offices as favorites to switch between them quickly.
The discussion looks old.
The issue time and age appear at the top of every discussion: green when it's under 12 hours old, orange up to 48 hours and red after that. Pull down on the discussion to check for a newer one. Offices usually issue new discussions a few times a day, sometimes less often overnight.
The app isn't updating in the background.
Forecast Notes checks for new discussions a few times a day, but iOS and watchOS decide exactly when. Make sure Background App Refresh is turned on for Forecast Notes in Settings → General → Background App Refresh. Low Power Mode pauses background updates.
How do I add the complication to my watch face?
Touch and hold the watch face, tap Edit, swipe to the complications and choose Forecast Notes. You can also add it to the Smart Stack. A dot appears when there's a new discussion or an unread local alert.
How do I turn location on or off?
Tap Use My Location to find your local office. To stop, choose an office from the list instead, or change location access for Forecast Notes in Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
Can I listen to a discussion?
Yes, on iPhone and iPad. Tap the speaker button at the end of the office name line to hear the discussion in your device's built-in voice. Tap it again to pause or resume, or tap the stop button to stop.
Can I read discussions offline?
Yes. Your recent discussions are saved on the device, so you can read them without a connection.
Should I rely on the alerts?
No. Local alerts in the app can be delayed and are there for context only. For emergency warnings, use Wireless Emergency Alerts, NOAA Weather Radio or weather.gov.
Where does the weather information come from?
All forecast text and alerts come from the National Weather Service's public data at weather.gov. Forecast Notes formats them for easier reading, and the original bulletin is always one tap away. Forecast Notes is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA or the National Weather Service.