Technology Policy News 21 January 2026

January 24, 2026, 10:30 AM EST. Smartphone weather apps that erupt with bright icons and eye-popping numbers mislead during dangerous winter storms, meteorologists say. The multi-state event blends heavy snow, ice and subzero temperatures, and small distance changes can flip conditions from snow to freezing rain. Experts argue apps struggle with storms that involve several precipitation types and often oversimplify uncertainty. Human forecasters remain essential for local nuance. Some apps interpolate from large grids or rely on AI, raising the risk of errors. By contrast, outfits that fuse National Weather Service data with meteorologists' analysis-such as Weather Channel-offer a more layered picture. As traffic spikes and forecasts update rapidly, the best guidance comes from local TV or radio, livestreams and detailed websites with expert context.