Introducing MyWARN

The NWS made a quantum leap forward when it started issuing storm based warnings in 2007, instead of the old county based warnings. The new polygon warnings cover a fraction of the area affected by the old warnings.

The problem is that our primary distribution systems (NOAA Weatheradio, most outdoor sirens, wall to wall television coverage) can’t specifically target people inside the polygons.

Some systems do transmit warnings based on the polygons, but they are designed for stationary locations.

In 2010, I started thinking about what I would want in a smartphone severe weather notification app. I began working with a local software developer on the app I would want for my family. We got started in August 2010.

The app would use the location-based services of the smartphone to compare the users location to any current NWS alerts. It would have to be simple and easy to use, with a single screen user interface. The app would need to work anywhere in the country that the person traveled, whether that was to the mall, across the state or to the other side of the country. Most importantly, it would need to be with you while you travel, alerting you if you drive into a watch of warning.

In addition, it would have a minimum amount of settings to fool with and would need to work the second it is installed on the user’s phone. It would need to graphically show the alerts. Finally, it would need to tell the user what to do to be safe.

The result is MyWARN. MyWARN became available in the iTunes App Store on Friday, March 2nd.

How is this different from other systems like iMap?
The iMap Weather Radio app is an excellent app. What sets MyWARN apart is its super simplicity. It focuses only on tornado, severe thunderstorm and flash flood watches and warnings. The interface is simpler. MyWARN was not designed for us weather enthusiasts and meteorologists. It was designed for our families and friends.

If you want a simple, easy to use severe weather notification app for the iPhone, please consider purchasing MyWARN. It will be priced for a one time $9.99 cost for a limited time. Later, it will become an annual subscription, but if you get in now, you will only have to pay one time.

Buy now and you will get all future upgrades for no charge. In fact, we already have a new version coming out later this week.

When you first open the app on your phone after installing it, you have to enter a promotional code. Please put ALABAMAWX.

Is there an Android version?
Not yet. We wanted to perfect the iPhone edition first. Now it will be easy to port the app to the other platforms.

Special offer for AlabamaWX.com readers:

Purchase MyWARN by May 31st for a one time cost of $9.99. Purchases of MyWARN on or after June 1 will fall under an $11.99 annual subscription fee pricing structure.

When you initialize the app on your phone, be sure to enter the promotional code ALABAMAWX to be entered in a drawing for a $10 iTunes gift card. Ten lucky winners will be drawn from the AlabamaWX.com purchasers on June 1, 2012. Don’t forget to enter your email as well. MyWARN will never email you without your permission (unless you win!) nor divulge your email addresses to any other agencies.

Click the App Store logo below or to the right to view the app in the App Store.

View MyWARN in the app store. Special one time price: $9.99 for AlabamaWX.com readers.

Category: Severe Weather