WeatherBug

Poll without page-refresh

	del.icio.us
	Digg
	Furl
	Reddit
	Rojo
	Add to OnlyWire

WeatherBug

Screenshot of WeatherBug version 6.05
Developed by	AWS Convergence Technologies
Latest release	6.07 / 2006-08-01
OS	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux
Website	http://weather.weatherbug.com/

WeatherBug is a computer program from AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. that displays live weather data. The program is available for download from WeatherBug's website, websites of the approximately 85 TV partners, and was formerly distributed through the AOL Instant Messenger installation utility. WeatherBug is also available for download for iPhone or iPod Touch via the App Store. WeatherBug Direct is a line of free applications for mobile devices, including WeatherBug Direct for Blackberry and WeatherBug Direct for Windows Mobile.

1 WeatherBug Network
2 Spyware concerns
3 International Version
4 Homeland Security cooperation
5 External links
6 Notes

WeatherBug Network

The WeatherBug Network is a series of mesonets totaling approximately 8,000 WeatherBug Tracking Stations, located in regions across the United States. WeatherBug’s Tracking Stations generate live neighborhood level reports and capture a live view of changes in the weather as they occur.

The company partners with approximately 85 TV stations across the country, which collect data from the WeatherBug stations and present it within their forecasts in a multitude of ways. WeatherBug is compatible with both its own network of 8000 stations and the roughly 1000 National Weather Service stations.

In 2006, Weatherbug added live forecasts with former television weathercaster Rachel Peterson.

Spyware concerns

This article or section contains weasel words, vague phrasing that often accompanies biased or unverifiable information. Such statements should be clarified or removed.

In 2005, Microsoft AntiSpyware, now known as Windows Defender, flagged WeatherBug as a spyware program, but this classification was removed.^[1] The program is adware, including both banner and pop-up ads, but may be upgraded for $19.95 to WeatherBug Plus, which does not include advertising.^[2] Early versions were difficult to uninstall and warned users not to remove WeatherBug since it could "save your life"^[3]. Programs exist to facilitate removal of these early versions and current versions include a program to uninstall WeatherBug.^[4]

International Version

At present, the desktop application of WeatherBug is designated for U.S. ZIP codes only. To access details regarding international locations, it is necessary to visit weatherbug.com. International users can also receive RSS global weather feeds via email or through their RSS reader.

Homeland Security cooperation

In 2004, AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc., the National Weather Service and the Department of Homeland Security entered into a public-private agreement so that the WeatherBug stations could be used by Homeland Security to assess weather conditions in the event of a disaster. The agreement was renewed and expanded in January 2007 to allow NWS (National Weather Service) and NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Association) access to the WeatherBug data.