Many users search for a dedicated National Weather Service (NWS) app to easily access weather forecasts and alerts. While there isn’t an official downloadable app from app stores, there’s a convenient workaround to get quick access to NWS mobile weather right on your smartphone’s home screen. This method functions just like an app, providing you with one-tap access to the National Weather Service mobile website for your local forecasts and weather information.
This guide will show you how to create a home screen shortcut that acts as a “National Weather Service App” on both iPhones and Android phones. It’s a simple process that takes just a few minutes and gives you immediate access to reliable weather information from the NWS.
Creating an NWS Weather “App” Shortcut on iPhone
Here’s how to create your NWS weather shortcut on your iPhone using Safari:
Step 1: Launch Safari, your iPhone’s web browser, and go to the following address: https://www.weather.gov/lox/mobile. Make sure you enter the URL correctly in the address bar and tap “Go”.
Step 2: Once the NWS mobile page is fully loaded, locate the share icon at the bottom of the screen. This icon, which looks like a square with an arrow pointing upwards, will open the options menu. Tap on this icon to proceed.
Step 3: From the options that appear in the share menu, scroll through the list and find the option labeled “Add to Home Screen”. Tap on “Add to Home Screen” to create your shortcut.
Step 4: A new window will pop up where you can name your shortcut. “NWS Weather” is a suggested name, but you can choose any name you prefer. After entering your desired name, tap the “Add” button located in the top right corner of the screen.
That’s it! You’ve now created a shortcut that looks and functions like a national weather service app on your iPhone’s home screen. Simply tap the icon to quickly access the NWS mobile weather website.
Creating an NWS Weather “App” Shortcut on Android
For Android users, here are the steps to add the NWS mobile site as a shortcut on your home screen using Chrome:
Step 1: Open Chrome, the default web browser for most Android devices, and type the following URL into the address bar: https://www.weather.gov/lox/mobile. Enter the address and tap “Go” to load the NWS mobile website.
Step 2: After the page loads completely, find the Chrome options menu. This is usually located at the top right corner of the screen, represented by three vertical dots. On some Android devices, it might be at the bottom of the screen, also as three vertical dots. Tap on this menu icon to open the browser options.
Step 3: In the Chrome options menu, look for and select the “Add to Home screen” option. This action will initiate the process of creating your shortcut.
Step 4: A window will appear allowing you to name the shortcut. “NWS Weather” is recommended, but feel free to personalize it. Once you’ve typed in the name, press the “Add” button, typically found at the top right corner.
Congratulations! You’ve successfully added a national weather service “app” shortcut to your Android home screen. Tap the new icon to get instant access to the mobile-friendly NWS weather information anytime you need it.
By following these simple steps for either iPhone or Android, you can enjoy quick and easy access to the National Weather Service mobile website, effectively creating your own “national weather service app” shortcut for up-to-date weather information. This is the quickest way to get official weather forecasts and alerts from the NWS on your mobile device.
