LuckGrib

I’ve been a huge weather nerd for many years and the fact that I’ve only just discovered this app a month ago is blowing my mind. I had every way to track the weather and even knew about forecast models. I kept saying there has got to be a better way to view forecast models, especially on my iPhone and iPad. Well sure enough I finally came across this app mentioned after seeing it mentioned on Reddit and I discovered the wonderful world of GRIB files and easily accessible weather models. I immediately started using the app and could not put it down. I proceeded to learn everything I could about GRIB files and LuckGrib. This is a game changer. Fantastic UI/UX by a very thoughtful developer. Has everything I was looking for. Even though this is a niche product I hope to see it maintained for as long as possible. If you love studying the weather then you will be glad you found LuckGrib!

I know LuckGrib is primarily for those who rely on accurate data when they're boating. It certainly makes sense that they need it. But LuckGrib is just as useful for the rest of us - if you're interested in the info contained in the weather models (and let's face it: that's where all the forecasts come from), there's no tool in the App Store that comes close to LuckGrib. It's simply the only tool that lets you see all the models (except ECMWF) and all the data contained in them for anywhere in the world the model covers. And frankly, if there were a dozen apps, it's so well designed that it would still be the best. How it manages to scroll the huge amount of data as smoothly as it does amazes me. The meteogram feature allows you to easily see in graph form the info that's most important to you. (Most apps that cater primarily to the marine fraternity focus on wind only and won't let you change that - I get it, but it makes the app mostly useless for the general weather enthusiast audience). Anyway, if you serious about the weather, for any reason, you need LuckGrib. I've got every reasonably "serious" weather app in the App Store, and subscribe to the premium version of a couple dozen, yet LuckGrib is one of the few to have a permanent place on my home screen. Please do plan to spend some time learning all LuckGrib can do - you won't be disappointed. (And thanks again to the developer for adding the ability to scroll the meteogram with the model - that's awesome!)

The layout, tutorials...everything is so intelligent and user friendly. For beginners, it’s almost like taking a basic meteorology course. More thought was put into this than any other app I’ve ever used. I’ve used some free grib software and tried other 3rd party analysts online, and this is the best thing I’ve found. People actually use this for crossing oceans. Just get a meridian transmitter and an iPhone. 20$ is way better than spending 2000$ on one of those hardcore systems you have climb the mast to install. Sure there’s no substitute for onboard weather radar but that gear is $$$. I live very close to a NOAA building, and actually went in to get someone to show me how to use their website, and I still couldn’t figure it out. They DO NOT have an app. Don’t be fooled. Nor do they have a mobile website. As far as accurate data is concerned grib files are where it’s at, and this is simply the best mobile option. People go out on the ocean all the time without being smart and checking the weather. They leave at the crack of dawn when it’s not blowing. By late afternoon they’re 20 miles out, caught in a gale, calling for help. In the age of the smartphone there’s no excuse. This app saves lives.