PROSSER, Wash. — Anyone in Washington can now get detailed local weather information from a new Washington State University app.
AgWeatherNet, a WSU network of around 370 statewide weather stations, has released the free app on both iOS and Android app stores. More than 1,300 people have already downloaded it on iOS. The Android version just became available.
The app provides site-specific forecasts and weather data updated every five minutes from all AgWeatherNet stations.
“There’s something for every user in the app,” said Lav Khot, AgWeatherNet director and WSU professor based at WSU’s Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center. “We wanted to offer regular weather information that anyone can use and provide deeper data insights that are vital for the agriculture industry.”
All information in the app can be customized and prioritized. Casual users can set their closest weather station to get the current temperature, look at the forecast for the next two days, and check the air quality index, among other options.
Farmers can choose from advanced settings, such as adding multiple locations, prioritizing AI-driven decision support, and forecasting a range of variables, from crop-specific water demands to cattle comfort to temperature inversion, and much more.
“We’re trying to optimize the user experience so it’s easier and accessible for everyone,” said Sanjita Bhavirisetty, an AgWeatherNet analyst who helped co-develop the app. “The new generation of growers wants more technology that’s easily accessible. We heard and worked with them to develop the app. We are here to help growers; that’s our main goal.”
To accommodate the state’s large bilingual agricultural workforce, the app’s features are available in both English and Spanish. In addition to tailoring specific data, users can also easily toggle between metric and imperial measurement systems for different data sets: For example, a user could view precipitation in inches, but wind speed in kilometers per hour.
“It’s like a buffet,” Khot said. “Wheat farmers have very different needs from cattle ranchers, who are different from apple growers. We serve Washington agriculture in its entirety, and our app allows everyone to pick and choose what information they need to be successful.”
AgWeatherNet previously featured an app, but it wasn’t as flexible. When funding tightened, the app was discontinued several years ago. However, industry partners missed the quick access to useful data.
“The app saves a lot of time; you just open your phone and pull it up,” Bhavirisetty said. “Without the app, growers could use our website, but it takes several clicks to get to the information they need. This simplifies the process significantly.”
The app is completely free, with no login required. If users allow location tracking, the app will automatically retrieve data from the nearest AgWeatherNet station, but the app does not store individual user data. If people don’t want the app to use their location, it’s simple to set a station as a primary location.
“We understand some people have concerns about privacy and we take that seriously,” said Dheeraj Vurukuti, a web developer at AgWeatherNet who led the app’s creation. “We are not interested in storing and using individual user data. We only want to provide a useful place to get weather information.”
The app includes other features, such as home page widgets. If a user wants fast access to a particular type of information, they can set up a widget to display data directly on their phone’s home page.
“This app is a fantastic example of WSU’s land-grant mission in action,” said Raj Khosla, Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean of WSU’s College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences. “It’s easily accessible to a wide array of people, is user friendly, and serves a basic need for both the agriculture industry and the general public.”
So far, users are very excited about the new app.
“We’re getting lots of positive feedback already,” Khot said. “We’ve made several changes based on what we’ve heard. We’re here to help agricultural stakeholders, and this app is a direct way to accomplish that.”