I have an iPhone with the Weather Channel (free download) as an app.
Traveling between Reno, Tahoe & Monterey Bay Area is often problematic due to storms
on the western side of the Sierras which often close the 3 major highways,
80, 50 or 88 or at least require chains. Even though I have AWD & snow tires,
I don't like to travel when chains or snow tires + 4 WD goes up. I use the
Weather Channel to give me updates on the major towns which will be affected
like Reno, Carson City, South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Sacramento, Stockton. This
covers most of my options. The Weather Channel gives you the option of
current, hourly (next 12 hrs), 36 hrs (summary of the next 3 12-hr periods), and
10-day. I find the hrly & 36-hr options the most useful for finding a lull in
the storm & deciding when & where to leave from.
There are additional options but the one I'm going to talk about is the most
useful. It's called "Explore Map". When you select it, it shows a weather
map of the chosen area. Using this option, I was able to find a chains-free
route home (also used highway info from Caltrans). I went home through South
Lake Tahoe on highway 50. This is unusual since 50 is normally worse than 80 but
the weather map showed the brunt of the storm parked over 80 but not
affecting 50 & it stayed that way during my whole trip home. You resize the map to
include as much or as little as you want which I did so that I could see both
highways in relation to the storm. You can also move the map to follow the
route home.
I've tried this on my computer at home & noticed one difference between my
app on the iPhone & the computer. The computer version doesn't have 36-hr
option.
OK, this is a detour from VP but this was such a positive experience that I
had to share it. I hope this helps someone out there & please let me know if
you have any helpful tips.
**************Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your
neighborhood today.
(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=Tax+Return+Preparation+%26+Filing&ncid=emlcntusyelp00000004)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]