mapsreporterSometimes, all you need is a few minutes warning before it starts raining. Maybe you just need to run out and roll up your car’s windows on a muggy day, or you need to sprint the last half-mile to work so you don’t get soaked.

Dark Sky uses a custom weather prediction system to give you precise forecasts for your exact location. You can get a notification just minutes before the rain starts, along with a prediction for the next hour and a standard in-depth daily forecast.

With the latest update to the app, Dark Sky added crowdsourced weather data to the mix. By sending pressure sensor data from iPhone 6 and 6 Plus users who opt in (usually used by your phone to tell how many floors you walk up in a day), Dark Sky’s powerful Forecast engine can add that data to its weather models for even more accurate forecasts.

Users can also submit a weather report, letting the Dark Sky team know if there’s cloud cover, rain, lightning, fog or other weather details. Dark Sky will use this data to improve its forecast engine, as it currently relies on scattered government-run weather stations to verify its predictions.

A slice of the weekly forecast
A slice of the weekly forecast

Outside the down-to-the-minute weather predictions, Dark Sky is also just a great weather visualization tool. Weekly forecasts show lows and highs in relation to the rest of the week, giving you a quick visual idea of how the temperature will change over the course of the day.

You’ll also be treated to stunning maps of precipitation and temperature around the world. You can move forward and backward in time on those maps, allowing you to pair nice visuals with your daily prediction.

The universal $3.99 app works on iPhones and iPads and comes with a corresponding Apple Watch app. The company appeared to be looking for Android developers earlier this year, but the app is currently restricted to iOS.

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