Pilots recommend radar apps

With spring here and summer around the corner, more thunderstorms and precipitation could be popping up. On Nov. 26, I did a column highlighting five radar apps recommended by members. My list of radar apps has grown since then, so here are another five that might be helpful in providing updated information on your smartphone or tablet. These are not endorsements of any app.

1. My-Cast Weather Radar ($3.99 in iTunes and Google Play)—Users of this smartphone and tablet app can view real-time animated radar, clouds, current conditions, hourly and extended forecasts, and severe weather alerts. You can also touch maps and add them to a saved location list. A one-year subscription costs $9.99.
2. RadarScope ($9.99 in Google Play)—This smartphone app allows users to see Nexrad Level 3 radar data and severe weather warnings in the United States and Puerto Rico (excluding Alaska, Hawaii, and Guam). It displays tornado, severe thunderstorm, and flash flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service.
3. Aviation NEXRAD RADAR HD for iPad ($6.99 in iTunes)—Users of this app get access to approximately 150 National Weather Service Nexrad sites. Other features include plots for nearly 600 airports; the ability to find the closest radar in a current location; and radar images overlaid with Google Maps, VORs, or airports.
4. Radar Pro ($4.99 in iTunes)—This interactive weather radar smartphone app allows users to check the latest weather radar data from the National Weather Service’s Nexrad Level 3 radar network for the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Users can also create favorite radar lists.
5. MyRadar Weather Radar (free in iTunes)—This iPhone/iPad app shows animated weather radar at your current location. It also provides weather warnings and alerts, including push notifications, in the 48 contiguous states. Users can pay extra to remove ads, get extra weather warnings, or add a hurricane tracker.

I’ve received some emails from Windows Phone users asking for their apps to be highlighted. If you have any, along with iOS and Android apps, please send them here. I’m also looking for your favorite apps covering FBO/aviation services, flight training, logbooks, and flight trackers. The complete list of apps I’ve highlighted since October 2012 is in AOPA’s online archive.