Weathercloud
Weathercloud is a global network of over 100,000 personal weather stations sharing real-time data. Founded in 2014 in Barcelona, it allows weather enthusiasts to upload, visualize, and share weather observations through interactive dashboards and community features.
Score generated by AI agents based on publicly cited evidence and reviewed by the project maintainer. Not independently validated.
Score History
Timeline events are AI-curated from public reporting. Score trajectory is derived from documented events.
Weathercloud launches as a fully free, open beta weather station network from Barcelona. The platform has no paid plans, no advertising, and no monetization. All features are available to all users. The broad terms of service already claim a worldwide royalty-free license on uploaded weather data, and the platform lacks any data retrieval API or historical import capability from day one, creating the structural foundation for future data lock-in.
Weathercloud grows to 7,000+ stations across 10 languages with a database exceeding 3 billion records. The platform adds substantial features (Reports tool, big data infrastructure, rebuilt plots) while remaining entirely free. However, data lock-in deepens as users accumulate years of observations with no way to bulk-export or API-retrieve their data. The bootstrapped team's limited resources delay promised features like a mobile app.
Weathercloud introduces paid Pro and Business tiers with in-app upgrades, gating advanced dashboards, weather alerts, and 1-minute update intervals behind subscriptions. The free tier gains ads to support development. The map is rebuilt on OpenStreetMap, and the Home page redesign positions the platform as a social weather network. Data lock-in continues to build as the platform still offers no data retrieval API while accumulating more user data behind paid export limitations.
Weathercloud has matured into a leading personal weather station network with 150,000+ devices across the globe. The platform continues active development with regular major releases, but the gap between free and paid tiers has widened incrementally. Yearly data export was added for paid users only in version 13, and new sensor types and dashboards remain behind paywalls. The absence of a data retrieval API and the ongoing lack of a mobile app (first promised in 2018) represent the platform's most notable friction points.
Alternatives
Powerful weather visualization platform with PWS support, excellent maps, and a strong community. Scored 22 here (Early Warning). Free to use with a good mobile app. Easy to add as an additional network alongside Weathercloud — most stations support simultaneous uploads to multiple services.
The largest personal weather station network with 250,000+ stations and hyper-local forecasts. More feature-rich with a mobile app and paid API access. Scored 42 here (Actively Enshittifying) — free data access has become increasingly restricted under IBM/Francisco Partners ownership. Easy switch since most stations can upload to multiple networks simultaneously.
Straightforward PWS network with free data access and an active community of weather enthusiasts. Less feature-rich than Weathercloud but fully free with no paywalled tiers. Easy switch — most weather station brands support direct uploads. Good option for users who want simple, no-cost archival.
Dimensional Breakdown
Summaries below were written by AI agents based on the cited evidence. They are editorial interpretations, not independent research findings.
Dimension History
Timeline (26 events)
Weathercloud launches as open beta platform
Weathercloud launches publicly on February 28, 2014 from Barcelona, Spain, founded by Marc Arazo and a small team of weather enthusiasts. The platform debuts as a free, open weather social network allowing personal weather station owners to upload and share real-time data. Initial compatibility includes Davis Instruments stations dating back to 1992.
First platform update adds multi-device support
Less than two weeks after launch, Weathercloud releases its first update adding support for Weather Monitor II stations (all Davis models since 1992), multi-device accounts (up to 3 stations per user), and stability fixes. The rapid iteration demonstrates the small team's responsiveness to early user feedback.
Webcam streaming and evapotranspiration gauges added
Weathercloud adds weather webcam streaming capability, allowing users to link IP cameras and view live footage alongside sensor data. An evapotranspiration gauge is added for stations reporting solar radiation. Guest users gain the ability to change units and regional settings without an account.
Beta 3 rebuilds weather map from the ground up
Weathercloud Beta 3 launches with a completely rebuilt weather map featuring faster load times, cleaner markers, size-differentiated clusters, and a search box for quick location jumping. The release is described as one of the biggest updates since launch, significantly improving the core browsing experience.
WeatherCat and weeWX integration added
Weathercloud adds support for WeatherCat and weeWX weather station software, expanding the platform's compatibility beyond Davis-specific tools. This broadens the potential user base to stations using open-source and Mac-based weather software.
Beta 4 adds 3,000 METAR airport stations to network
Weathercloud Beta 4 integrates over 3,000 METAR airport weather stations into the network, growing the total to 4,500+ devices globally. Users can now compare their personal station data against nearby airport stations for validation. The database surpasses 250 million records. Automatic Twitter posting of weather data is introduced.
Beta 4.5 introduces present weather display and almanac
Weathercloud Beta 4.5 adds present weather information on device profile pages showing weather conditions, temperature, wind, pressure, and cloud base. A new almanac displays moon phase, sunrise and sunset times. The platform reaches 18 compatible weather software programs.
SSL encryption added across entire platform
Weathercloud Beta 4.8 enables SSL (HTTPS) encryption site-wide, protecting all data transmission between users and the platform. This is a notable security improvement for a platform handling location data and login credentials.
Beta 5 major code refactoring for scalability
Weathercloud Beta 5 performs a major backend overhaul to handle the rapidly growing number of stations. The refactoring improves overall performance and prepares the infrastructure for future feature additions. No user-facing features are added, but the platform becomes more stable and responsive.
Beta 6 adds Reports tool and big data infrastructure
Weathercloud Beta 6 introduces a Reports tool for checking historical records by day or month, showing averages and min/max values. The platform upgrades to big data technologies to handle its database of 3+ billion records (100+ GB) from 7,000+ online devices receiving 500,000 new records per hour. Plots are rebuilt with a modern responsive graphics library.
Beta 6.9 launches advanced dashboards for Business accounts
Weathercloud Beta 6.9 introduces real-time advanced dashboards showing current weather, forecasts, and wind data — available exclusively to Business account holders. This marks the first clear feature gating behind a paid tier. The update also adds multi-webcam support (up to 5) and mentions iOS/Android apps as 'in development' but acknowledges the small team's resource constraints.
Weather alerts system launched for Pro and Business users
Weathercloud introduces configurable weather alerts that send email notifications when user-defined conditions are met (e.g., freezing temperatures, high wind speeds, heavy rain). The feature allows combining multiple meteorological variables per alert. Available exclusively to Pro and Business plan holders, reinforcing the premium feature tier.
Map rebuilt on OpenStreetMap replacing Google Maps
Weathercloud Beta 7 replaces Google Maps with an entirely new map built on OpenStreetMap, delivering significant improvements in design, speed, and usability. Station clusters are removed in favor of individual markers. A new sidebox displays up to 9 weather variables directly on the map without visiting device profiles. The map becomes fully responsive across all screen sizes.
Beta 8 adds in-app plan upgrades and 7 map layers
Weathercloud Beta 8 introduces in-app purchasing for Pro and Business plan upgrades, eliminating the need to contact support. The map gains 7 visualization layers (devices, wind speed, temperature, humidity, rain, solar radiation, UV index) with day/night zones. The data reception API is completely rewritten for improved stability.
Beta 8.5 adds Agro dashboard and WeatherLink Live support
Weathercloud Beta 8.5 adds compatibility with Davis Instruments' WeatherLink Live datalogger and introduces the Agro dashboard for Business users, showing evapotranspiration data and rain graphs for agricultural use. Dashboard color customization (Navy Blue, Forest Green) is added. Business users now have access to both Marine and Agro advanced dashboards.
Beta 9 redesigns Home page as social weather network
Weathercloud Beta 9, described as the biggest release since launch, replaces the Map as the default landing page with a new Home page organized by device categories: your devices, followed devices, nearby devices (with configurable radius from 5-100 km), and popular devices by country. The redesign positions Weathercloud as a social weather network rather than just a data platform.
Beta 9.5 adds Agro Frost dashboard and daily reports
Weathercloud Beta 9.5 introduces the Agro Frost dashboard for Business users, a renovated Sticker widget, Moon and Midnight color themes, and daily weather reports. The Frost dashboard focuses on frost prediction data useful for agriculture. This continues the pattern of new feature-rich dashboards being exclusive to Business tier.
Version 10 restructures tiers: Free becomes Basic, new Plus tier added
Weathercloud 10 ends the 7-year beta phase and restructures paid plans. The Free tier is renamed Basic, Business becomes Premium, and a new Plus tier is introduced at approximately €3/device/month offering 60-month cloud database, editable records, and ad-free browsing. Pro is upgraded with unlimited cloud database at no extra cost. A 30-day free trial is offered for all paid plans. The Basic tier retains 12-month database retention and 10-minute update intervals.
Version 11 adds Skywatch BL portable station support
Released on Weathercloud's 9th anniversary, version 11 adds compatibility with JDC Electronic's Skywatch BL range of portable weather stations (BL 300, 400, 500, 1000) and introduces a Tracking feature for recording weather along hiking, sailing, or paragliding paths. Hungarian language support brings the total to 12 languages. Promo codes for discounted subscriptions are introduced.
FTP webcam streaming added as Premium-only feature
Weathercloud 11.1 introduces FTP webcam connections exclusively for Premium users, enabling live weather webcam streams through the platform. A new map layer is added showing only devices with webcams. This further differentiates the Premium tier by gating an enhanced version of a feature (webcams) that had been available to all users since 2014.
Weathercloud celebrates 10th anniversary with 120,000+ devices
Weathercloud marks its 10th anniversary on February 28, 2024, with over 120,000 devices online worldwide. The company distributes 50 vouchers with 50% discounts on paid plans using the promo code WEATHERCLOUD10YEARS. The blog post acknowledges overcoming 'many challenges and difficulties' during the decade of operation.
New Stripe-powered billing portal launched
Weathercloud introduces a redesigned billing portal powered by Stripe for managing invoices and payment methods. Users can add multiple credit cards, designate defaults, and manage subscriptions. Weathercloud confirms it does not handle or store any credit card information directly, delegating payment security entirely to Stripe.
Version 12 adds local weather forecasts and AirLink sensor support
Weathercloud 12 introduces local weather forecasts based on WMO and national meteorological agency data, displayed on device profile pages and map infoboxes. Compatibility with Davis Instruments' AirLink air quality sensor (PM2.5/PM10) is added for paid plan subscribers. A new notification system delivers platform updates via pop-up alerts.
Version 13 expands forecasts and adds full-year export for paid users
Weathercloud 13 expands local forecast coverage to 20+ countries, introduces full-year CSV data export (paid plans only), and adds two new Premium dashboards (Aero for aviation, Webcam for live feed with data overlay), bringing the total to 6 specialized dashboards. Pro and Premium users gain one-click PDF report downloads. The full-year export addresses a long-standing user complaint but remains gated behind paid plans.
Dark mode and vector-based gauges released
Weathercloud 13.5 adds dark mode with automatic system-setting detection and manual toggle. All gauges are completely remade from pixel-based to vector-based graphics, improving visual quality across screen sizes. Dark mode reduces eye strain in low-light environments and saves energy on OLED screens.
Version 14 launches Weathercam, GFS map layers, and announces mobile app
Weathercloud 14 introduces Weathercam (real-time data overlay on webcam feeds, available to all users), GFS global forecast layers, wind animation, and isobar overlays on the rebuilt map. Time-lapse video creation is added as a Premium-exclusive feature. The platform reports 150,000+ devices. iOS and Android apps are announced as officially under development with a planned 2026 release — over 8 years after mobile apps were first mentioned in 2018.
Evidence (29 citations)
D1: User Value Erosion
D2: Business Customer Exploitation
D3: Shareholder Extraction
D4: Lock-in & Switching Costs
D5: Twiddling & Algorithmic Opacity
D6: Dark Patterns
D7: Advertising & Monetization Pressure
D8: Competitive Conduct
D9: Labor & Governance
D10: Regulatory & Legal Posture
Scoring Log (4 entries)
Stripped for Phase 2 re-enrichment