Signal Summer 2019 Newsletter

www.alliancecom.net 9 Keep Forecasts at Your Fingertips With These Great Apps Most of the weather websites featured previously have smartphone apps as well. Here are some more to consider: Google If you do a Google search for weather on your phone, you’ll get the informa- tion presented in an app-like format, with an option to pin it to your home screen to use again. Scroll down for additional details like hour-by-hour temperature, precipitation, and wind. Scroll right to get the forecast for the next 10 days. AccuWeather Live alerts and weather forecasts help you plan your day. In addition to a regular weather forecast, you’ll get storm alerts, updates, and the “RealFeel” temperature to warn you about those beautiful and sunny—but c-c-cold—days. Check the weather up to 15 days in advance for anywhere in the world. Weather Wiz Attractive graphics make this weather app fun to look at, and you can choose widgets in three different sizes as well as your own layout and colors. In addition to its friendly appearance, the app will keep you informed about the weather and other related information, such as the moon phase and sun status. What The Forecast? This whimsical weather app offers standard weather forecasts along with accompanying quips that explain, in real terms, how nasty it is outside. Here’s an example: “Rain is the only way today could get any worse. Oh wait.” This app won a 2018 People’s Choice Webby Award in the category of Mobile Sites & Apps–Services & Utilities. FAST FACT: Waterspouts (rotat- ing columns of air over water) can make sea creatures rain down from the sky. 5 Great Reasons to Talk About the Weather People often make fun of weather as a dull discussion topic, but there are several good reasons not to dismiss this subject as a conversation starter: 1. It’s something everyone shares. No matter who you are, the weather affects you in some way, and you probably have an opinion about it. 2. It can establish commonality. Maybe you and your conversation partner both detest humidity. Now you’ve found common ground. 3. It can lead to additional topics. If you and the person you’re chatting with both had your gardens destroyed by hail, you can seamlessly shift from weather to gardening. 4. It’s a good place to start. When you just want to connect, go ahead and comment to the person next to you in line about the won- derful (or dreadful) weather outside. 5. It’s a way to establish interest. At the very least, you’ll get a grunt or a nonresponse, letting you know to take your small talk elsewhere.