Another heatwave is set to land in the second half of August, if the latest weather reports are anything to go by.
The Met Office's forecasts for this month suggest we could see a return of the sunny spell we saw in July, once the current period of rainy skies has come to an end.
But if you're attempting to plan around the upcoming heatwave, you'll likely need some good software to keep track of it on a day to day basis – and that's where we come in.
When there's a heatwave incoming, those of us in the UK – who are general used to grey skies and only mild sun throughout the year – tend to get a bit worried about preparation. Do we have any good summer clothes? Are we making sure we're out in the sun rather than stuck inside in an office all day?
Thankfully, the best weather apps can offer pretty accurate forecasts of the days ahead, and whatever phone, tablet or home computer you're reading this on, there is a host of options for you to consider.
August heatwave forecast: what should you expect?
The Met Office has split its forecast into two week segments, giving a general overview of what to expect. It's worth noting that these are only forecasts, of course, and the complexity of weather patterns makes even next-day predictions hard to pin down for sure – but the general rule is that the closer we are to a date, the more accurate our predictions should be.
Saturday 7 Aug – Monday 16 Aug
The Met Office predicts "a mixture of sunny spells and shows, with some drier interludes", especially towards the middle of the month. The word of the day here is "changeable", with on/off showers likely around much of the UK, including "strong winds", though those in northern areas may be a bit warmer than those facing rainier days in the south-east.
Tuesday 17 Aug – Tuesday 31 Aug
This period should be "drier and warmer", though still with some risk of rain and "thundery spells" (mainly in the south-east).
Best weather app: CARROT Weather
CARROT Weather is a great weather app that (as of this year) throws in its basic features for free, with a lot of interface customization to help you cater results to your immediate needs.
The main draw is the slightly snarky nature of the app's, uh, narrator? You'll get a more personal outlook on the wonderful or terrible weather you're experiencing – "Abandon all hope ye who venture out into this weather" – although smart cards also add meteorological information for those wanting a more serious deep dive into the weather conditions around them.
The premium version costs $19.99 / £19.49 annually, though the app is free to download on both iOS and Android for basic usage.
Best free weather app for iOS: Apple Weather
Apple's default weather application is still quite a good option for iOS users. That's especially true since it started bearing the fruit of Apple's acquisition of Dark Sky – a hyperlocal weather app that's gradually being shut down as Apple integrates its best features into its own product. (It's now gone from Android, and will be banished from the Apple App Store at some point in 2022).
As of this year, you'll get a dynamic weather background that displays rain, sunshine, thunderstorms and the like, varying depending on the region you're looking at – along with detailed information on wind direction and strength, barometric pressure, and even a UV index!
You'll also get a "minute‑by‑minute chart that shows the intensity of rain or snow over the coming hour", offering essentially real-time updates on the weather outside.
With iOS 15 announced and available for public testing, the weather app is due to gain even more improvements soon, with more detailed animations for rain and snow, alongside push notifications for upcoming rain alerts.
Best free weather app for Android
You can use some simply weather widgets on any Android phones, to tell you the current temperature at your location, as well as a brief summary of the weather conditions (i.e. 'sunny', or 'partially cloudy'). However, there's a quick way to get a shortcut for the Google Weather app on your homescreen too.
Simply hold down the central home button at the bottom of your screen, and ask the Google Assistant to show you the weather. Tap on the temperature showed onscreen, and then hit the three lines in the top left corner, where you'll find an 'add to home screen' option. You'll get a simple overview of the weather and temperature for every hour of the day, as well as a general likelihood of precipitation.
By heading to the '10 Days' view, you'll also be able to see more information about wind, humidity, UV index and times for sunrise and sunset.
It isn't quite as dynamic as the Apple Weather app – thanks to its Dark Sky acquisition – but for a general and easy-to-use overview it shouldn't let you down. Of course, if you want something a bit more in-depth for Android, we'd recommend the CARROT Weather app listed above.
If you're simply checking the weather in the Google search engine too, there's a built-in widget that gives much of the same information from weather.com.
- What are the best iPhone apps?
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