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Weather Integration

Display real-time weather conditions and forecasts to help your family plan their day, prepare for outdoor activities, and know what to wear before heading out.

Overview​

The Weather integration shows current conditions, hourly forecasts, and multi-day forecasts right on your family display. Perfect for morning routines, weekend planning, and helping everyone in the family prepare for the day ahead.

Key Features:

  • Real-time weather updates (refreshed automatically)
  • Current temperature and conditions at a glance
  • 24-hour hourly forecasts for planning your day
  • 7-day forecasts for weekend and week-ahead planning
  • Automatic location detection from your home address
  • Simple or detailed display modes
  • Fahrenheit and Celsius support
  • Weather icons everyone can understand
  • Weather alerts for severe conditions

Data Provider: WeatherAPI.com

Family Use Cases​

Morning Routine:

  • Check temperature before getting kids dressed
  • Know if they need jackets, umbrellas, or rain boots
  • Plan extra time for icy morning drives
  • See if outdoor recess will happen at school

School Day Prep:

  • Help kids choose appropriate clothing
  • Pack umbrellas if rain expected
  • Check for weather-related school delays
  • Plan indoor vs. outdoor activities

Weekend Planning:

  • Check Saturday weather for outdoor plans
  • Plan park visits or indoor activities
  • Know best times for outdoor play
  • Prepare for sports games and practices

Activity Planning:

  • Pool weather (temperature and sun)
  • Beach day conditions
  • Hiking and outdoor adventure planning
  • Barbecue and outdoor party weather

Daily Planning:

  • Commute conditions (rain, snow, ice)
  • Lunchtime outdoor play feasibility
  • After-school outdoor activity planning
  • Evening walk conditions

Travel Preparation:

  • Check weather at vacation destinations
  • Pack appropriate clothing
  • Plan road trip timing
  • Prepare for weather delays

Setup​

Prerequisites​

  • FamilyCast account (Weather included on all plans)
  • Home location configured (or manual location entry)
  • Internet connection on display device

Step 1: Enable Weather Integration​

Weather integration is included with all FamilyCast plans at no extra cost. No external account setup required.

Verify Availability:

  1. Log into FamilyCast dashboard
  2. Navigate to Integrations → Weather
  3. Status should show "Available"

Step 2: Create Weather Content Source​

From Dashboard:

  1. Navigate to Content → Add Content Source
  2. Select Weather from available integrations
  3. Click Configure Weather

Configuration Options:

Location: Choose how to set your location:

  • Automatic (recommended): Uses your home address
  • ZIP code: Enter your ZIP (e.g., "10001")
  • City name: Enter city and state (e.g., "Seattle, WA")
  • Full address: Enter complete address
  • Coordinates: Latitude and longitude (advanced)

Forecast Type: Choose what weather information to display:

  • Current Conditions Only: Just temperature and current weather
  • Hourly Forecast: Next 24 hours for detailed planning
  • Daily Forecast: 1-7 day outlook for week planning

Display Mode: Pick the detail level that works for your family:

  • Simple: Temperature, icon, and basic conditions (great for quick glances)
  • Detailed: Everything - humidity, wind, UV index, and more

Units: Choose temperature and measurement units:

  • Fahrenheit: °F, mph, inches (US standard)
  • Celsius: °C, km/h, mm (metric/international)

Refresh Interval: How often to update weather:

  • Every 5 minutes: Nearly real-time (for active weather monitoring)
  • Every 15 minutes: Frequent updates (good default)
  • Every 30 minutes: Standard updates (recommended)
  • Every 60 minutes: Hourly updates (weather changes slowly)

Step 3: Add to Your Display Layout​

Drag-and-Drop:

  1. Open the layout editor
  2. Create or select an area for weather
  3. Drag the Weather source to the area
  4. Resize and position where family will see it

Recommended Display Sizes:

Simple Mode (Quick Glance):

  • Small corner: 300x150 (top corner of display)
  • Sidebar widget: 400x200 (side of display)
  • Header/footer bar: 600x150 (across top or bottom)

Detailed Mode (Full Information):

  • Medium panel: 500x400 (side panel)
  • Large section: 800x600 (main content area)
  • Full display: 1200x800 (dedicated weather display)

Step 4: Customize Display Options​

Weather Display Elements:

Choose what information to show:

  • Temperature (always shown)
  • Weather description (sunny, cloudy, rainy, etc.)
  • Weather icon
  • "Feels like" temperature (with wind chill or heat index)
  • Humidity percentage
  • Wind speed and direction
  • UV index (for sun exposure)
  • Visibility
  • Air pressure
  • Sunrise and sunset times

Visual Styling: Customize appearance to match your display:

  • Temperature text size (make it big and readable!)
  • Icon size
  • Background color or transparency
  • Text color (light or dark)
  • Border style

Forecast Display Options: For hourly and daily forecasts:

  • Number of hours to show (6, 12, or 24)
  • Number of days to show (1, 3, 5, or 7)
  • Show high/low temperatures
  • Show chance of rain/snow
  • Compact or detailed forecast view

Configuration Examples​

Simple Morning Check​

Perfect for quick morning routine glances:

{
  "location": "AUTO",  // Uses your home address
  "forecastType": "current",
  "displayMode": "simple",
  "units": "fahrenheit",
  "refreshInterval": 30
}

What It Shows:

  • Current temperature (big and readable)
  • Weather icon
  • Brief description ("Sunny", "Rainy", etc.)

Best For:

  • Kitchen displays during morning rush
  • Hallway displays before leaving home
  • Quick outfit decisions

Daily Planning Weather​

Great for planning your entire day:

{
  "location": "AUTO",
  "forecastType": "hourly",
  "hours": 24,
  "displayMode": "simple",
  "units": "fahrenheit",
  "refreshInterval": 30
}

What It Shows:

  • Current conditions
  • Hour-by-hour forecast for next 24 hours
  • Temperature trends throughout day
  • Weather changes (rain moving in/out)

Best For:

  • Morning planning sessions
  • Deciding when to schedule outdoor activities
  • Knowing best time for afternoon walk

Week-Ahead Family Planning​

Ideal for weekend and week planning:

{
  "location": "AUTO",
  "forecastType": "daily",
  "forecastDays": 7,
  "displayMode": "detailed",
  "units": "fahrenheit",
  "refreshInterval": 60
}

What It Shows:

  • Current conditions with all details
  • 7-day forecast with highs and lows
  • Rain/snow chances
  • Full weather details for each day

Best For:

  • Living room family command center
  • Weekly planning sessions
  • Scheduling outdoor activities
  • Travel preparation

Outdoor Activity Planning​

Comprehensive weather for active families:

{
  "location": "AUTO",
  "forecastType": "daily",
  "forecastDays": 5,
  "displayMode": "detailed",
  "units": "fahrenheit",
  "refreshInterval": 30,
  "showDetails": true
}

What It Shows:

  • Current temperature and "feels like"
  • Humidity (comfort level)
  • Wind speed (for outdoor play)
  • UV index (sun safety)
  • Hourly and daily forecasts
  • Sunrise/sunset (daylight planning)

Best For:

  • Families with outdoor hobbies
  • Pool and beach planning
  • Hiking and camping preparation
  • Sports and recreation scheduling

Weather Data Explained​

Current Conditions​

Temperature:

  • The actual air temperature
  • Look for this first when deciding what to wear

Feels Like:

  • How the temperature actually feels on your skin
  • Accounts for wind chill (makes it feel colder)
  • Accounts for heat index (humidity makes it feel hotter)
  • More accurate for outfit decisions

Humidity:

  • Amount of moisture in the air (percentage)
  • High humidity (70%+): Feels muggy and uncomfortable
  • Low humidity (30%-): Feels dry, chapped lips
  • Affects how hot or cold it feels

Wind Speed & Direction:

  • How fast the wind is blowing
  • Light (0-5 mph): Barely noticeable
  • Moderate (6-15 mph): Leaves rustle, you feel it
  • Strong (16-25 mph): Difficult to use umbrella
  • Very strong (25+ mph): Outdoor play may be difficult

Weather Description: Simple explanation of conditions:

  • Sunny, Partly Cloudy, Cloudy
  • Light Rain, Rain, Heavy Rain
  • Snow, Light Snow, Heavy Snow
  • Thunderstorms, Fog, Mist

UV Index: Sun strength for outdoor activity safety:

  • 0-2 (Low): Minimal sun protection needed
  • 3-5 (Moderate): Wear sunscreen if outside 30+ min
  • 6-7 (High): Sunscreen and hat recommended
  • 8-10 (Very High): Extra protection needed
  • 11+ (Extreme): Avoid midday sun if possible

Hourly Forecast​

Shows weather for each of the next 24 hours:

Use It To:

  • Plan outdoor activities at best times
  • Know when rain will start or stop
  • Find warmest/coolest parts of the day
  • Schedule outdoor play, walks, errands
  • Time trips to park, pool, or beach

Example: "It's cool now (50°F) but will warm to 68°F by 2pm - perfect time for playground!"

Daily Forecast​

Shows weather for the next 1-7 days:

High/Low Temperatures:

  • High: Warmest temperature during the day
  • Low: Coolest temperature (usually overnight/morning)
  • Use to plan clothing for entire day

Chance of Precipitation:

  • Probability it will rain or snow
  • 0-20%: Unlikely (safe to plan outdoor activities)
  • 30-50%: Possible (have backup plans)
  • 60-70%: Likely (plan for rain)
  • 80-100%: Very likely (indoor activities)

Day-by-Day Planning: Use 7-day forecast for:

  • Weekend activity planning
  • Scheduling outdoor sports/events
  • Travel preparation
  • Week-ahead school outfit planning

Display Layout Ideas​

Kitchen Morning Command Center​

Location: Kitchen wall or counter display Configuration: Simple current conditions + hourly Size: Medium (400x300)

Layout:

┌─────────────────────────┐
│  Tuesday, October 15    │
│                         │
│      ☀️  68°F           │
│      Sunny              │
│   Feels like: 66°F      │
│                         │
│  Today's Forecast:      │
│  9am  66° ☀️            │
│  12pm 72° ☀️            │
│  3pm  75° ☀️            │
│  6pm  70° 🌤️           │
└─────────────────────────┘

Perfect For:

  • Quick morning check before school
  • Helping kids choose outfits
  • Planning after-school activities
  • Deciding on lunch plans

Family Room Planning Center​

Location: Living room or family room display Configuration: Detailed 7-day forecast Size: Large (800x600)

Layout:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Weather for Seattle, WA                   │
│                                            │
│  Right Now: ☀️ 68°F  Feels like: 66°F     │
│  Sunny and clear                           │
│                                            │
│  Details:                                  │
│  Humidity: 55%      Wind: W 5 mph         │
│  UV Index: 4        Sunrise: 7:15 AM      │
│                                            │
│  This Week:                                │
│  Tuesday   ☀️   75/58  Sunny              │
│  Wednesday 🌤️   73/56  Partly Cloudy     │
│  Thursday  ☁️   68/54  Cloudy             │
│  Friday    🌧️   64/52  Rain (70%)         │
│  Saturday  🌧️   62/50  Showers (60%)      │
│  Sunday    🌤️   66/52  Partly Cloudy     │
│  Monday    ☀️   70/55  Sunny              │
└────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Perfect For:

  • Weekly family planning sessions
  • Weekend activity decisions
  • Travel preparation
  • School week outfit planning

Entryway Quick Reference​

Location: Near front door or mudroom Configuration: Simple current + 3-day Size: Medium (500x250)

Layout:

┌──────────────────────────────┐
│  68°F  ☀️  Sunny             │
│  Perfect weather for outside!│
│                              │
│  Today:    75/58  ☀️         │
│  Tomorrow: 73/56  🌤️        │
│  Thursday: 68/54  ☁️         │
└──────────────────────────────┘

Perfect For:

  • Last check before leaving house
  • Grabbing jacket or umbrella
  • Quick outfit verification
  • Commute preparation

Kids' Room Morning Display​

Location: Children's bedroom display Configuration: Simple current with big text Size: Small (350x200)

Layout:

┌─────────────────┐
│                 │
│   ☀️            │
│   68°F          │
│   Sunny         │
│                 │
│   Jacket: No    │
│   Umbrella: No  │
│                 │
└─────────────────┘

Perfect For:

  • Kids learning to check weather
  • Morning outfit decisions
  • Building weather awareness
  • Independence in getting ready

Integration with Other FamilyCast Features​

Weather + Calendar​

Use Together:

  • See weather for upcoming calendar events
  • Plan outdoor activities on nice days
  • Reschedule outdoor events if rain forecast
  • Prepare for weather-dependent appointments

Example: Calendar shows "Soccer Game - Saturday 10am" and weather shows "Saturday: 🌧️ 65° Rain 80%" - time to bring rain gear!

Weather + Photos​

Mood Matching:

  • Sunny weather: Show bright, cheerful family photos
  • Rainy weather: Show cozy indoor memories
  • Snowy weather: Show winter fun photos
  • Seasonal coordination: Display season-appropriate memories

Weather + Chores​

Weather-Aware Chores:

  • Sunny forecast: "Great day for washing car!"
  • Rain expected: "Close windows before leaving"
  • Windy weather: "Bring in outdoor toys"
  • Snow forecast: "Get shovel ready"

Weather + Meal Planning​

Weather-Appropriate Meals:

  • Cold days: Suggest warm soups and stews
  • Hot days: Suggest salads and cold dishes
  • Rainy days: Comfort food ideas
  • Sunny days: Grilling and outdoor dining

Weather + Shopping Lists​

Weather-Based Reminders:

  • Cold snap coming: "Check if kids need winter gear"
  • Hot week ahead: "Buy sunscreen and cold drinks"
  • Rain forecast: "Do we have umbrellas?"
  • Snow expected: "Ice melt and shovels?"

Family Weather Tips​

Morning Routine Integration​

Make Weather Part of Getting Ready:

  1. First thing to check: Before choosing clothes
  2. Involve kids: Teach them to read temperature
  3. Plan ahead: Check hourly forecast for after-school
  4. Weather station: Make it a morning routine stop

Temperature Decision Guide for Kids:

80°F+:    Shorts, t-shirt, sunscreen
70-79°F:  Light clothes, may need light layer
60-69°F:  Long pants, light jacket
50-59°F:  Jacket or hoodie needed
40-49°F:  Coat, hat, gloves recommended
Below 40°F: Heavy coat, winter gear

Rain/Snow Decision Guide:

Rain 70%+:     Bring umbrella, rain jacket
Rain 30-60%:   Have umbrella ready
Snow forecast: Boots, warm coat, gloves
Windy:         Avoid umbrellas, use hood

Teaching Weather Awareness​

Help Kids Learn:

Temperature Understanding:

  • "If it's below 60, you need a jacket"
  • "Above 75 is shorts weather"
  • "Below 40 means winter coat"

Weather Pattern Recognition:

  • Clouds usually mean cooler temperatures
  • Wind makes it feel colder (wind chill)
  • Humidity makes it feel hotter
  • UV index tells how strong the sun is

Planning Skills:

  • Check weather before making outdoor plans
  • Have backup indoor activities if rain expected
  • Prepare day-before for weather changes
  • Pack appropriate clothing for school day

Weekend Planning Strategy​

Friday Night Planning Session:

  1. Check 3-day forecast: Friday-Sunday outlook
  2. Plan outdoor activities: Best weather days
  3. Schedule indoor backup: If rain expected
  4. Prepare gear: Get outdoor equipment ready
  5. Coordinate with family: Everyone knows the plan

Example Session:

  • "Saturday is 75° and sunny - perfect for park and picnic!"
  • "Sunday shows 60% rain - plan indoor activities or morning-only outdoor"
  • "Let's do zoo Saturday, museum or movie Sunday if it rains"

Activity Planning by Weather​

Ideal Weather for Common Activities:

Park/Playground:

  • Temperature: 60-80°F
  • Rain: Less than 30%
  • Wind: Under 15 mph
  • Best: Sunny or partly cloudy

Pool/Water Activities:

  • Temperature: 75°F+
  • Rain: None
  • UV: Check index for sunscreen needs
  • Best: Sunny, low wind

Hiking/Nature:

  • Temperature: 50-75°F
  • Rain: Less than 30%
  • Visibility: Good (no fog)
  • Best: Clear, mild temperatures

Beach Day:

  • Temperature: 75°F+
  • Wind: Under 15 mph (sand blowing)
  • Rain: Less than 20%
  • UV: Bring sun protection

Outdoor Sports:

  • Temperature: 55-85°F
  • Rain: Less than 30%
  • Wind: Moderate or less
  • Best: Partly cloudy (not too hot)

Bike Riding:

  • Temperature: 60-80°F
  • Rain: None
  • Wind: Under 10 mph
  • Best: Dry, calm conditions

Troubleshooting​

Weather Not Showing​

If weather isn't displaying:

Check Internet Connection:

  • Is your display connected to WiFi?
  • Try loading another integration to test
  • Restart display device if needed

Verify Location:

  • Go to Settings → Location
  • Make sure home address is correct
  • Try entering ZIP code manually
  • Test location works in Google Maps

Check Configuration:

  • Weather content source is active
  • Location field is filled in
  • Forecast type is selected
  • Display mode is chosen

Try These Fixes:

  • Switch to automatic location detection
  • Use ZIP code instead of city name
  • Increase refresh interval to 30 minutes
  • Contact FamilyCast support if still not working

Wrong Location Weather​

If weather shows wrong city:

Why This Happens:

  • ZIP code typo
  • City name is ambiguous (many cities with same name)
  • Home address incomplete or incorrect
  • Location detection using old data

How to Fix:

  1. Use automatic detection (easiest - uses your home address)
  2. Verify home address in Settings → Profile
  3. Use ZIP code (most reliable manual method)
  4. Use City, State format (not just city name)
  5. Test your location in Google Maps first

Examples:

  • ❌ "Springfield" (30+ cities named Springfield!)
  • ✅ "Springfield, IL" (specific state)
  • ✅ "62701" (ZIP code - unambiguous)

Temperature Seems Wrong​

If temperature doesn't match what you feel:

Remember "Feels Like":

  • Actual temperature is just air temperature
  • "Feels like" accounts for wind and humidity
  • On windy days, "feels like" is much colder
  • On humid days, "feels like" is much hotter
  • Use "feels like" for clothing decisions

Check Weather Station Location:

  • Weather data comes from nearby weather stations
  • May be slight difference from your exact location
  • Microclimates can vary (near water, hills, urban areas)
  • Usually within 5°F of actual local conditions

Time of Day Matters:

  • Temperature shown is current reading
  • May have changed since you last checked
  • Morning is coolest, afternoon is warmest
  • Check hourly forecast for temperature trends

Weather Not Updating​

If weather seems stuck:

Check Refresh Interval:

  • Go to Weather settings
  • Check refresh interval (should be 15-30 min)
  • If set to 60 min, weather updates only hourly
  • Change to 15 or 30 minutes for more frequent updates

Verify Display is Online:

  • Check display connection status
  • Look for "last updated" time
  • If hours old, display may be offline
  • Restart display if needed

Weather Changes Slowly:

  • Remember: Weather doesn't change minute-to-minute
  • Temperature changes slowly throughout day
  • 30-minute refresh is sufficient for most needs
  • If monitoring active weather, use 5-15 minute refresh

Display Performance Issues​

If weather section loads slowly:

Reduce Data Amount:

  • Switch from "detailed" to "simple" mode
  • Show fewer forecast days (3 instead of 7)
  • Reduce from 24-hour to 12-hour forecast
  • Increase refresh interval to 30-60 minutes

Check Network Speed:

  • Test your internet speed
  • Weather needs good connection for updates
  • Slow WiFi can delay weather loading
  • Move display closer to WiFi router if needed

Optimize Settings:

Best Performance Settings:
- Refresh: 30-60 minutes
- Display: Simple mode
- Forecast: 3 days or less
- Hourly: 12 hours or less

Weather Alerts Not Showing​

Note: Weather alerts for severe weather (storm warnings, winter advisories, extreme heat) are coming soon to FamilyCast. Currently showing standard forecast data only.

Current Workaround:

  • Check local news for weather alerts
  • Enable weather alerts on your phone
  • Monitor NOAA weather radio
  • Sign up for local emergency alerts

Privacy and Data​

Location Privacy:

  • Weather only uses your location to fetch forecast
  • Location not shared with third parties
  • No tracking or location history stored
  • Can use ZIP code instead of full address for extra privacy

Data Usage:

  • Weather updates use minimal data
  • Approximately 1-5 KB per update
  • 30-minute refresh = ~50 KB per day
  • Safe for metered connections

Weather Data Source:

  • Powered by WeatherAPI.com
  • Aggregates data from government weather services
  • Same data used by major weather apps
  • Updated in real-time from weather stations

Advanced Tips​

Multiple Location Weather​

Track Weather for Multiple Locations:

Great for:

  • Vacation planning (check destination weather)
  • Family in different cities (grandparents' weather)
  • Travel preparation (check weather at destination)
  • Seasonal homes (beach house, cabin, etc.)

How to Set Up:

  1. Create multiple weather content sources
  2. Name each by location (e.g., "Home Weather", "Grandma's Weather")
  3. Configure each with different location
  4. Add to layout in different areas or rotation

Example Layout:

┌────────────────────────────────┐
│  Home (Seattle)                │
│  68°F ☀️ Sunny                 │
└────────────────────────────────┘
┌────────────────────────────────┐
│  Vacation Spot (Orlando)       │
│  85°F ⛅ Partly Cloudy         │
└────────────────────────────────┘

Seasonal Display Adjustments​

Optimize for Each Season:

Summer:

  • Emphasize UV index (sun safety)
  • Show heat index (humidity impact)
  • Larger hourly forecast (plan around heat)
  • Highlight best outdoor activity times

Winter:

  • Emphasize wind chill (feels like temp)
  • Show sunrise/sunset (shorter days)
  • Snow and ice warnings
  • Morning temperature for outfit planning

Spring/Fall:

  • Show rain forecast prominently
  • Temperature swings during day
  • Hourly forecast for variable weather
  • Layer planning for temperature changes

Weather for Special Needs​

Customize for Your Family:

Young Children:

  • Very large temperature display
  • Simple weather icons
  • "What to Wear" guidance
  • Limited detail (avoid overwhelm)

Teens:

  • More detailed data (driving conditions)
  • Extended forecast (week planning)
  • Feels-like temperature (personal comfort)
  • Hourly for after-school activities

Seniors:

  • Large, high-contrast text
  • Simple language
  • Fall hazards (ice, rain warnings)
  • Health-related data (UV, humidity)

Active Families:

  • Detailed outdoor conditions
  • Extended hourly forecast
  • UV index and visibility
  • Wind speed and direction

Next Steps​

Enhance Your Display:

Learn More:

Get Help: