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Weather with AgWeatherNet: AgWeatherNet Launches New Mobile App

Written by Dheeraj Vurukuti, Sanjita Bhavirisetty, Lav Khot, Washington State University – AgWeatherNet, May 5, 2026

WSU AgWeatherNet (AWN) has launched bilingual (English, Spanish) grower use focused mobile app that provides easy and free access to over 550 station specific near-real-time (at 5 to 15-min resolution) weather and air quality index (AQI), soil metric potential and temperature data, hind and forecasts, current and forecasts of localized temperature inversion, when-to-spray guidance, and crop specific Evapotranspiration (ET) estimates for irrigation scheduling decision making, and more, on your smartphone. While the AWN website continues to provide full access to current and historical data, crop-specific models, and in-depth analysis tools, the mobile app is designed to complement it by enabling quick, on-the-go data access for management decision-making.

The app is currently available for iOS users on the Apple App Store, with an Android version on the Google Play Store coming soon. Search AgWeatherNet on the Apple App Store or scan the QR code below to download.

QR Code

iOS Users: App Store
Android Users: Google Play Store – coming soon

App Features

Accessibility: Home Screen Widget and User Preferences

Once installed, the app can also be used as a home screen widget (Figure 1) that displays user preferred station specific current weather, AQI, soil conditions, and key decision support metrics (e.g., when-to-spray guidance, reference ET, and more) directly on the phone’s home screen without opening the app. The widget refreshes automatically in the background, keeping data current whether the app is open or not.

Photo of home screen widgets
Figure 1. App widget for iOS devices.
Screenshot of app user preference screen
Figure 2. App User Preferences setting screen.

In terms of accessibility, the user can:

  • use interactive map view of over 550 stations with satellite, street, and terrain views
  • save up to 5 favorite stations for comparing conditions and easily access data by swiping in the home page.
  • toggle to select preferred language (English and Spanish), and unit (Metric or Imperial)
  • customize dashboard: reorder or hide any of the weather and decision support tool

Weather, Soil and Air Quality Data

The app fetches quality checked weather station specific data, collected at 5-min resolution from AWN’s Mesonet tower station and Legacy Campbell stations, and 15- min resolution data from AWN Legacy Meter stations, Columbia Geoge Fruit Growers Network, as well as AgriMet stations in the Pacific northwest region. The key parameters include:

  • Air temperature at 1.5 m (5 ft) and 9 m (30 ft) heights (where available)
  • Temperature inversion (i.e., differential between 5 and 30 ft air temperature) for AWN Mesonet tower stations
Screenshot of app screen for temperature inversion
Figure 3. Station specific observed and forecasted temperature inversion conditions.
  • Relative humidity, dew point, and 24-hour precipitation
  • Wind speed and direction at 2 m (6 ft) and 10 m (33 ft, where available), including gusts
  • Solar radiation
  • Soil temperature and soil water potential up to four depths (2″, 4″, 8″, and 20″)
  • Air Quality Index (AQI)

Importantly, users can customize (Figure 4) what one would like to see on the home screen.

Screenshot of the home screen with station access, display parameters, AWN resources button, and customizable dashboard
Figure 4. App home screen customization.

Observations, Forecasts, and Hindcasts

The app provides a quick, consolidated view of key weather windows including current conditions, the past 2 days of observations, and the next 2 days of forecasts all in one place. Current observations show live station data updated to current available timestamp. The forecast provides a two-day outlook for key weather variables, and data derived when-to-spray guidance, crop ET estimates, etc. For historical context, the app also displays observed data going back two days, allowing growers to review how conditions evolved over time and aid in dialing the crop inputs management decisions. All three views are accessible by tapping any weather parameter on the home screen for a detailed look at that specific data, or by scrolling to the bottom of the home screen (Figure 4) to reach the detailed weather data screen (Figure 5), all without needing to switch tools or open a browser.

User can also compare parameters across multiple stations simultaneously on a single screen. By selecting from saved favorite stations (by tapping the heart icon beside any station or using the manage favorites option in the preferences as shown in Figure 2), the app overlays data from each station on the same chart. This tool is useful for comparing multiple neighboring stations before making a management decision.

Screenshot of weather with options for station, hindcast, and forecast
Figure 5. Detailed weather data screen with option to compare a variable across multiple stations.

Past 24-Hour Meteograms

From the ‘station-specific’ screen (Figure 6), which can be accessed by selecting a station from the ‘station search’ screen (Figure 2), user can access Past 24-Hour Meteograms that plots observed weather parameters as a continuous time series. This data provides a clear picture of weather pattern change (e.g., temperature, humidity, wind swings.

Screenshot of station specific view screen with temperature, wind, precipitation, and humidity
Figure 6. Station specific data view screen.

When-to-Spray Guidance

The app includes the AWN Spray Guidance tool (Amogi et al., 2025) within the station view, using real-time observations and forecasts to provide a simple, color-coded advisory, with conditions categorized as Spray, Spray with Caution, or Do Not Spray. For a detailed breakdown of the methodology behind this tool, refer to the March 2025 Fruit Matters article: AgWeatherNet Spray Guide: Tool to Optimize Pesticide Applications in Washington (link opens in a new window).

Phot of Current Spray guidance is no spray

Photo of When-to-Spray guidance feature within the App.
Figure 7. When-to-Spray guidance feature within the App.

Crop-Specific Evapotranspiration

The app also provides weather station specific reference and crop-specific daily ET estimates for eight major irrigated crops including apples, berries, cherries, and potatoes.

Photo of crop evapotranspiration for alfalfa, apple, blackberry, blueberr, cherry, grape, and grass.
Figure 8. Station and crop-specific evapotranspiration estimates on home screen of the App.

Gateway to the AWN Decision Support Ecosystem

The app serves as a centralized gateway to AWN developed web and mobile app decision support tools. By clicking on bottom right corner (figure 4), you can access a screen that has access to:

This centralized section will be updated as we develop and add new tools and features. Users who have the app will always have a single, up-to-date entry point to everything AWN offers.

Contact

For feedback on the AWN mobile app or web portal, write us at weather@wsu.edu

Lav Khot professional photo

Lav Khot
Director, WSU AgWeatherNet
Lav.khot@wsu.edu

Dheeraj Professional Photo

Dheeraj Vurukuti
Developer, WSU AgWeatherNet
dheeraj.vurukuti@wsu.edu

Sanjita Professional Photo

Sanjita Bhavirisetty
Application Systems Analyst/Developer
r.bhavirisetty@wsu.edu

Funding and Acknowledgements

WSU AgWeatherNet operational funding was used to develop and release the application. AWN would like to thank AgWeatherNet team members for their time testing the application and providing valuable feedback throughout the development process.

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