| I use the Internet to find just about every type of | | | | downloads that display key data right on your |
| information. Even the weather. | | | | desktop, and even provide a text summary one click |
| Sure, I could just stick my head out the window and | | | | away. |
| call out, "Hello. What's the weather forecast today?" | | | | Weather forecasts on the desktop are probably the |
| But if the response is "hurricanes, hail and meteor | | | | fastest way to get local weather information, and |
| storms", I don't want my head to be on the wrong | | | | the data is updated every five minutes. The display |
| side of the window when the answer comes down. | | | | can be set up for local weather, but a couple clicks |
| Plus, that won't help me fine-tune my last minute | | | | allows for a quick check of conditions form almost |
| travel plans. | | | | every weather monitoring station in the world - ideal |
| So I turn to the Internet. There are three really easy | | | | for making last minute travel plans |
| ways to get a good weather forecast over the | | | | Weather forecasts by Google: |
| Internet: | | | | A third way to access the weather forecast is |
| Weather forecast websites: | | | | through Google. Yes, the find-everything search |
| There are some good weather forecast websites. | | | | engine has added weather to its repertoire. For |
| The one I use most often, because I am in Canada, | | | | instance, search Google for "weather Orlando", |
| is The Weather Network, and I also like CNN. | | | | without the quotation marks, and see what you get. |
| CNN gives current conditions and a five day forecast. | | | | At the time of writing, this service is available only to |
| The Weather Network provides more detail, with a | | | | cities in the USA (I presume Americans get more |
| short term forecast ( this evening, tonight, tomorrow | | | | weather than other people.). However, it will hopefully |
| morning, etc.) and a longer term forecast over the | | | | be available everywhere by the time you read this |
| next six days. The Weather Network provides the | | | | article. |
| most detail of all the options, but it takes longer to | | | | Google's is the least precise weather forecast of the |
| download than the progress of climate change (so | | | | options, but fairly quick and simple to reach if you are |
| don't do it on a 26K modem!) Both offer forecasts | | | | looking for information on a city in the USA. |
| for cities worldwide. | | | | All three options are worthwhile, whether preparing |
| Weather forecast software: | | | | for the daily commute or making travel and vacation |
| A second way, which does not even require going to | | | | plans. So pull in your head, close that window and log |
| a website, is to get current conditions right on your | | | | on. Why stick your neck out when there is weather |
| desktop. There are free weather forecast software | | | | on your computer. |