Summer road trips are often about adventure, exploration, and making memories. However, unpredictable weather can sometimes throw a wrench in even the best-laid plans. Thankfully, a new app called Wayther is here to help travelers navigate their journeys by providing much-needed weather forecasts along their routes.
Wayther, created by indie developer Axel Le Pennec, is aimed at anyone planning road trips—be it families heading to the beach, adventurers on cross-country journeys, or truckers traveling long distances. The app goes beyond conventional weather apps by allowing users to see forecasts for specific points on their trip, up to 10 days ahead. This way, users can plan their travel around favorable weather conditions, making their trips much more enjoyable.
Le Pennec, who has been developing iOS apps since 2013, originally thought of the idea for Wayther after implementing weather forecast functionalities for his previous app, Skipper, which serves as a digital logbook for boaters. He realized this feature could serve a broader audience. “It was also an idea for another app,” he explained, which could cater to various types of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and trucks.
So how does Wayther work? Once travelers enter their starting point and destination, the app generates three different routes for them to choose from. Users can select their preferred route and specify their departure or arrival time. The magic happens when Wayther displays weather forecasts relative to their chosen route. The app provides detailed forecasts for temperature, precipitation, wind conditions, visibility, and even sunset/sunrise times at various points along the trip.
This interactive real-time map is not just helpful for casual drivers. For anyone who enjoys taking scenic drives, Wayther allows access to weather alerts, like severe weather or low visibility conditions, enabling travelers to avoid trouble spots. Planning to stop for the sunset? Users can easily time their trips to catch the breathtaking views, enhancing their travel experience.
Wayther isn’t just limited to car travel either; it’s also suitable for motorcycles, RVs, buses, and even bicycles. This versatility makes it useful for all sorts of road warriors, ensuring everyone can have good weather guiding their way.
While the app is currently only available on iOS, Le Pennec has plans for the future, including improving widget integration, adding more languages, and possibly branching out to Android. To top it off, he is also waiting for approval from Apple to develop a version compatible with CarPlay, which will allow seamless use during driving.
For those worried about costs, Wayther does offer free access for the first three trips. Afterward, users can choose between three subscription plans: $1.99 weekly, $3.99 monthly, or $22.99 for the entire year. This flexibility allows users to select the plan best suited to their travel habits.
Given the growing inclination for travel post-COVID-19, apps like Wayther may become invaluable for road trippers seeking to enjoy the open road without the stress of unpredictable weather. After all, the last thing any traveler wants is to get caught out in rain or stormy weather when they could have simply planned around it.
Wayther captures everything that's loved about summer road trips—the thrill of hitting the open road and the joyful anticipation of reaching the destination. With the right planning tools, the promise of sunny skies and clear views is always just around the corner. Whether you're traveling alone, with friends, or as part of a family adventure, Wayther promises to make road trips smoother and more enjoyable, ensuring everyone arrives at their destination happy and stress-free.
