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January 26, 2026

The coming winter storm: There's an app for that. But how reliable is it?

  • That snowflake icon on your smartphone might be quick and handy — it just might not be as accurate as a human.
    • By SETH BORENSTEIN and TAMMY WEBBER
    Associated Press

    AP Photo/Matt Rourke [enlarge]
    Many apps just use raw computer modeling data — which aren’t always reliable in extreme events — with no human oversight.

    Smartphone weather apps that summarize their forecasts with eye-popping numbers and bright icons may be handy during mild weather, but meteorologists say it's better to listen to human expertise during multi-faceted, dangerous winter storms like the one blowing through the U.S.


     
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