The iPad does not come preloaded with a weather app. No matter, there are plenty of great apps to choose from – and a lot of them are free. The question is: which one is the “go-to weather source” for you? It all depends what you’re looking for.

A nice sentiment for a somewhat cockeyed optimist, but Ruskin must not have lived where there were hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, droughts and hailstorms. The Victorian era writer certainly didn’t live during a time when one could obtain accurate, critical weather information with just a couple of swipes on a tablet pc.  If he had, maybe he would have liked the weather even more, if that were possible.

Here in alphabetical order are the five best free apps for the iPad that will keep you fully abreast of the weather in your area and, with many of these apps, around the world:

 AccuWeather Free for iPad
AccuWeather is a free, easy to use app that provides hourly, daily and 15-day forecasts as well as a real-time radar map of your current location. This app, which version 2.0.1 update came out this past June, also provides access to weather-related national, international and regional videos and statistical information.   It also gives straightforward weather forecasts and weather news for multiple cities, severe weather alerts and hourly forecasts.
Free Download

Intellicast HD
This weather app from WSI Corporation, the word’s largest private weather company, has feature-rich user interface that provides hourly forecasts for the current day and a full 10-day forecast (with numerous charts and graphs) for multiple locations. Intellicast also provides real-time storm tracking, interactive high definition radar, plus comprehensive hurricane, typhoon and tropical cyclone tracking. For international features, this app goes the distance, with European satellite and radar, forecasts for more than 50,000 locations around the world, and Spanish language support.
Free Download

WeatherBug Elite for iPad
WeatherBug provides neighborhood-level weather information in real-time, including fast, targeted alerts.  Updated in May, version 1.4.0 now provides dangerous thunderstorm alerts and expanded weather modules. WeatherBug’s large map features multiple weather data in one screen, providing current and hourly weather conditions as well as 7-day forecasts. This free iPad application also provides current humidity, temperature, wind speed as well as wind chill, sunrise/sunset, dew point and more. Radar?
Free Download

The Weather Channel Max for iPad
If you thought that the people who operate the Weather Channel cable TV network would logically come out with a feature-rich, highly interactive app for iPad, you’d be right.  What’s more, this content-loaded app is free.  There are eight different type radar maps to show you current storm movements. Its local forecast provides for the next 36 hours plus a 10-day outlook. The app also provides the user with detailed severe weather alerts, videos and representational 3D views of current and forecast weather situations.
Free Download

WeatherStation App For iPad
WeatherStation connects you to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) official real time weather conditions and situations for all locations within the United States (excluding Alaska).  This app features multiple theme views and provides daytime and evening forecasts and a 5-day day forecast. You get rain chances, current humidity, temperature lows and highs for the day, wind speeds and direction, dew point, chill/heat index, and barometer.
The user can easily change his or her location by selecting it on the map.
Free Download

Tell  Us Your Favorite
People’s wants and needs regarding a weather app are as varied as, well, the weather. These five apps are free, so download and test drive all of them to find the one (or ones) best for you.  Which one is your favorite? Any of them you don’t like? Let us know below.

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