StormWatch: The All-in-One Weather Emergency Dashboard

Managing severe weather information often requires navigating a fragmented landscape of websites and apps. This fragmentation prompted the creation of StormWatch, a new dashboard designed to bring critical weather data into a single, streamlined interface.

Developed as a response to the complexity of tracking winter storms, the tool aims to provide comprehensive situational awareness without the usual digital clutter.

StormWatch serves as a centralized hub for weather emergencies, aggregating data from authoritative sources into a mobile-friendly webpage. The dashboard is designed for immediate access, requiring no user registration or login credentials.

Key capabilities include:

• Real-time National Weather Service (NWS) alerts paired with safety guidance
• Detailed snow, ice, and precipitation accumulation forecasts including wind data
• Dynamic preparation checklists that adapt based on active local alerts
• A supply calculator tailored to specific household sizes
• Curated regional weather news updates

Access is straightforward: users simply enter their ZIP code to unlock a personalized view of current conditions and impending threats.

The application relies on robust, open-source infrastructure to deliver real-time data. It integrates the NWS API for official government alerts and forecasts, alongside the GDELT API for sourcing relevant regional news stories.

For developers interested in the project's construction, the creator utilized advanced AI-assisted coding agents during development. This included using an API-testing agent to verify endpoints and response patterns, and a scope and validation agent to ensure code simplicity and reliability.

"Feel free to fork and modify however you'd like."

The project is fully open source, encouraging community contributions and customization. It was built using VS-code Copilot, specifically leveraging Sonnet 4 for development agents and Opus 4.5 for scope and validation tasks.

Designed with a "no-fuss" philosophy, the dashboard prioritizes clarity over complexity. The interface presents essential information without overwhelming the user, a critical feature during high-stress weather events.

By consolidating disparate data streams, StormWatch reduces the cognitive load on individuals preparing for or responding to emergencies. The dynamic checklists are particularly valuable, offering actionable steps based on the specific threats detected in the user's area.

Because it operates as a web-based application, it is accessible on any device with a browser, ensuring that critical information is available whether users are at home or on the move.

Beyond its utility as a weather tool, StormWatch represents an example of rapid, AI-assisted software development. The creator openly shared the technical methodology, detailing the specific agents and models used to build and validate the application.

This transparency invites other developers to inspect the codebase, learn from the implementation, and contribute improvements. The project's availability on a public repository facilitates easy forking and modification, allowing others to adapt the tool for different regions or specific use cases.

The approach highlights a modern workflow where AI tools assist in verifying technical specifications and maintaining code quality throughout the development lifecycle.

StormWatch addresses a common pain point for those living in areas prone to severe weather: the fragmentation of emergency information. By offering a free, consolidated, and accessible alternative, it empowers users to stay informed and prepared.

As an open-source project, its future evolution will likely depend on community engagement and contributions. For now, it stands as a practical solution for simplifying weather emergency management.