RainRadarAU

Features

• Selectable radar distances 64km/128km/256km/512km to see a small/big picture of the rain
• Wind Doppler radar on selected radars showing wind speed/direction
• Current weather observations to for current temperature, wind speed/direction, and rain fall since 9am in various locations.
• National radar and satellite map
• Zoom the radar map using pinch and pan to get a closer look
• Double tap to zoom in/Two-Finger double tap to zoom out (iOS 4.0+ only)
• Turn on/off extra layers for each radar including: Observations, Topography, Roads, Railway
• Your current GPS location indicated on map
• Locate radars closest to you using your current GPS location
• Image cache for storing frequently used image backgrounds
• Add favourite radars to quickly jump between radar locations or to load on start
• “On Launch” option to load straight into Closest Radar, Top Favourite or National Radar
• Automatic updating of radars
• Retina quality icons/legends (iPhone 4 & 4S)
• Fast downloading and updating of images
• Coverage in all major areas (as serviced by BOM) including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Hobart, Dawrin, etc

FAQ

Why does version v2.0.2 and lower not work anymore?!?!
Due to a change on the www.bom.gov.au website, my app is unable to download the images anymore. This isn’t BOMs fault this is a bug in my code. I’ve adjusted the code and requested an expedited review by apple and they are reviewing it now. Once v2.0.3 is out upgrading to it will restore the applications functionality. Sorry about the hassles!

Why was the name changed from BOMRadar to RainRadarAU?
I received a formal letter from the Bureau of Meteorology stating that they believe the word ‘BOM’ is theirs and they do not want anyone who is writing third party apps using it in application titles. So I have changed the name to something that doesn’t have ‘BOM’ in the title.

Will you be making an iPad version?
Currently it’s not on my list of high priorities, but I am investigating the possibility. I’m still not sure if that will be a universal app or a separate HD app. It will depend on how much time it takes to create the iPad version. But for now, I’m sorry but iPhone/iTouch is it.

How do I get the images for my area that isn’t in Australia?
Sorry, but this application is designed for Australia only. The reason it is on all of the app stores is I’d rather people have the choice not to download it, then to never be able to get it. Also I have lots of Australian friends overseas that like to keep track of things in AU. So if I restricted it they couldn’t grab it.

What does it mean by “(pt) part-time” radar?
Radars that have (part-time) beside them are taken off line 4 times a day to track weather balloons. For more information about this can be found on Part-Time Windfinding Radars on the Bureau of Meteorology website.

Do you work for Bureau of Meteorology?
No, I have no affiliation with the Bureau of Meteorology. I have spoken to BOM about the use of the images and I have been advised that my use of the images is fine, but apart from that I have no affiliation  with BOM at all.

Why is the time on the radar images 10+ or more hours old?
The images are stamped with UTC time. This is current time without timezone applied. For example, if you live in brisbane and it is 4:40pm, you are +10 hours from UTC so the timestamps on the images will be 06:40UTC. The times displayed under the image show the local time of the first and last images in the series.

Do you use any 3rd party libraries in your app?
The following external libraries are used in RainRadarAU:

• ASIHTTPRequest – Used for HTTP/Network requests
• InAppSettingsKit – Used for the in app settings page
• MDProgressHUD – Used for all pop up progress bars
• JSON-Framework – Used to exchange data with servers
• TestFlightApp – Used to distribute test copies of the app

News

Feedback

Feedback or Support questions are welcome.