Image: NASA, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (source)
A weather app tells you whether to bring an umbrella. A good meteorology website tells you why, and lets you see the same maps and models forecasters use.
These are the most useful sources for forecasts, severe weather and learning the science of the atmosphere.
1) National Weather Service
The official US government forecasts, warnings and radar, issued by the same service that sends severe weather alerts.
Best for: Official US forecasts and warnings. Visit National Weather Service
2) NOAA National Hurricane Center
Tracks tropical storms and hurricanes in the Atlantic and eastern Pacific, with official forecast cones and advisories.
Best for: Hurricane season. Visit NOAA National Hurricane Center
3) NOAA Storm Prediction Center
Forecasts severe thunderstorms and tornadoes across the United States, including daily outlooks and watches.
Best for: Tornado and severe storm outlooks. Visit NOAA Storm Prediction Center
4) NOAA Weather Prediction Center
Produces national forecasts of heavy rain, snow and surface weather maps for the US.
Best for: Weather maps and rainfall forecasts. Visit NOAA Weather Prediction Center
5) Met Office
The UK's national weather service, with forecasts and clear explanations of weather and climate science.
Best for: UK weather and learning resources. Visit Met Office
6) ECMWF
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, a research institute and 24/7 service that produces global weather predictions.
Best for: Understanding how global models work. Visit ECMWF
7) World Meteorological Organization
The United Nations agency for weather, climate and water, and the UN's scientific voice on the state of the atmosphere and climate.
Best for: Global weather and climate reports. Visit World Meteorological Organization
8) Windy
An animated worldwide weather map with radar, wind, waves and forecasts from several models.
Best for: Seeing weather move in real time. Visit Windy
9) Weather Underground
Local and long-range forecasts plus data from a large network of personal weather stations.
Best for: Hyperlocal conditions. Visit Weather Underground
10) UCAR Center for Science Education
Educational material from the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research on weather, climate and the atmosphere.
Best for: Learning the science behind the weather. Visit UCAR Center for Science Education
More science resource lists
Every site on this list was checked and loading on 30 October 2026. For more, see 9 Best Climate Science Websites for Reliable Data and The Top 10 Earth Science Websites to Uncover the Secrets of the Earth.