Frank’s Forecast 4+

I miss the earlier version’s opening page. I could choose the location that I needed to look into, check the current conditions, tomorrow’s forecast, and the ten day forecast —all from the initial page.

This version makes me work harder to get that information, and I don’t think that the addition of photos and/or videos is a good trade-off for that simple clean design. I realize that younger users (I’m 68) love pictures, and other bells and whistles, etc. However, I find an image of a person with an umbrella less than informative.

I like having quick access to current weather conditions through the maps and radar. I often use this app to check weather conditions before we leave to go swimming at the local pool.
If there is a way to remove the blue menu bar on the right side of the screen, that would really improve our use of this app. The menu bar obscures 20% of the viewing screen and contributes nothing to our understanding of the current conditions. If the menu bar could be removed while viewing the maps and radar feedback, that would be great. Maybe a swipe left or right to add or subtract the blue bar? Also, I don’t like moving ads on the screen. They are annoying and distracting. I realize you need to have ads to support the website, but the moving ads are irritating and counterproductive to many users.

The update feature is great. It’s a quick 3-4 paragraph snapshot of weather commentary on what’s coming our way. Frank is excellent at this and is always informative. Other weather folk have their own style but get the message across.

Then there’s those folks who think the update is tacit permission to say a few words about the weather and then refer you to their TV News broadcast later in the day for details. I’m checking the update before I head for work and “details from 4 to 7” is not a weather update. It’s a commercial for the broadcast and a waste of time. I thought this kind of lead in was a gimmick from the past.

Frank’s team should be better than this.