The team behind Dark Sky, known for selling their weather app to Apple in March 2020, has introduced a new weather forecasting app called Acme Weather. They promise it provides more accurate forecasts than Dark Sky and includes unique notifications such as rainbow and beautiful sunset alerts.
Acme Weather stands out by integrating various alternate predictions for enhanced accuracy. According to Dark Sky co-founder Adam Grossman, the app employs a combination of weather prediction models, satellite data, ground stations, and radar for reliable forecasts. The app also presents additional forecast lines as gray lines to indicate potential outcomes.
In an interview with TechCrunch, Grossman highlighted the uncertainty in weather forecasts and expressed dissatisfaction with apps that offer a single prediction without indicating the certainty. Understanding alternatives helps users plan effectively, especially for events like winter storms with possibilities of rain or snow.
The team previously offered a weather API with Dark Sky and later contributed to Apple’s WeatherKit. For now, Acme Weather is a consumer-focused app costing $25 annually with a two-week free trial, which helps support the acquisition of various weather data models and resources.
Acme Weather provides comprehensive maps and weather details, allowing for diverse forecasts and map creation without third-party reliance. It offers maps for radar, lightning, precipitation totals, and more. Its Community Reports feature lets users report real-time weather conditions to enhance accuracy.
While Dark Sky was popular for predicting rain start times, Acme Weather offers experimental alerts like rainbow predictions and beautiful sunset notices within its “Acme Labs” section. Users can customize notifications according to their weather interests, such as wind, UV index, or rain forecasts for the next 24 hours.
Grossman noted that developing as an indie app allows for more exploration and experimentation with new ideas, which isn’t always feasible within a large company like Apple due to its vast user base and lengthy development cycles.
Acme Weather is currently available for iOS, with Android support on the way. The team, comprised of former Dark Sky members including co-founders Josh Reyes and Dan Abrutyn, operates independently and recruits both former Dark Sky staff and new talent.