Google Maps Weather: Search Giant Adds Weather Layer (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Google announced on Thursday that it has added a weather layer to its popular Google Maps tool, allowing users to instantly see current temperatures and weather conditions overlaid on its maps.

In a blog post on the official Google blog, the company provides directions on how to use the new feature:

To add the weather layer, hover over the widget in the upper right corner of Google Maps and select the weather layer from the list of options. When zoomed out, you’ll see a map with current weather conditions from weather.com for various locations, with icons to denote sun, clouds, rain and so on.

Weather data will not appear when users zoom in too far on specific locations. After taking a look at weather in cities in the U.S., Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and South America The Huffington Post found that in nearly every instance, the weather data appeared when the user clicked the "minus" (zoom out) button seven times. In Barcelona, users have to click eight times for the weather to appear.

Google said that it uses weather information from Weather.com and has partnered with the U.S. Naval Research Lab to provide cloud coverage data.

Matt McGee of SearchEnglineLand.com notes that Microsoft's Bing has had a weather application for Bing Maps "for some time now," but it provides Doppler radar and satellite images instead of temperature readings.

AWS Convergence Technologies released the WeatherBug application for Bing in June 2010.

Earlier this month, Google added Google Live Transit to Google Maps, a service that provides travelers in six cities with realtime arrival information for public transportation.

WATCH: Get the weather in Google Maps from Google

Images of weather overlaid in Google Maps from Google's promotional video:

Comments

[kmg90]

10:01 PM on 08/23/2011

The only flaw is that they link to weather.com

I prefer wunderground

[JBS]

11:01 AM on 08/19/2011

If you have "weather" turned on, it appears on the map when the scale is at 2mi/2km or greater. The map scale is in the lower left corner below the zoom level control.

If you're zoomed in closer than 2mi/2km, the weather info is still displayed on the information panel to the left (where search results show up). If the panel is closed, click the arrowhead in the upper left corner to open it.

As you move around the map, the weather information changes to display the information for the location nearest the center of the on screen map.

However, if you search for a location in Google Maps, the weather info is only displayed on the map when at 2mi/2km or greater. Search results replace the weather information in the left panel. You also lose the weather information if you go to street view.

[BrianmusPrime]

06:33 AM on 08/19/2011

nice. A one stop place where you can see the current temperatures of the world

[KikoJones]

02:30 AM on 08/19/2011

Um, hasn't weather.com been doing the same thing for a while now? Also, the opening of the umbrella was unintentionally funny, in an amateur video kinda way.

[Ameri Bunker]

01:03 AM on 08/19/2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfTAprQK1Lw

Google Earth rocks with the ability to record your own tours. I did.
I recorded a secret base they're hiding in Antarctica. I did and
anyone reading this can do the same thing.

[Somali]

12:10 AM on 08/19/2011

That's awesome! Google, you rock!

[TexasPatriot1776]

11:52 PM on 08/18/2011

the internets is awesome. it's all those pipes and tubes.

[garystartswithg]

12:25 AM on 08/19/2011

im surfin, yo!

[Ira Meyers]

11:39 PM on 08/18/2011

Playing it safe is smart. Maybe Google can come up with a "Condom, no Condom app"

[Freeonlinegames6]

03:43 AM on 08/19/2011

i like it, you can visit http://freeonlinegames6.com

[MikeB10]

11:26 PM on 08/18/2011

I need an app that will tell me whether I should risk it and run to class or play it safe and come in a few minutes late but with clean pant-a-loons, after my morning coffee.

[garystartswithg]

12:28 AM on 08/19/2011

change clothes and shower once a week. you will learn who your real friends are from the experience.
or do as a pop star friend of mine did -- don't do either ever and see how easy it is to say "hey im a pop star" and still get laid.
of course if you are a pop star you can cut class anytime you like -- so there is the real answer.

[MikeB10]

12:39 AM on 08/19/2011

Is your pop star friend in Motley Crue? I'm pretty sure I heard that about Motley Crue.

[Left of Right]

10:51 PM on 08/18/2011

Okay, that's cool, but what I want to be able to do is put the mouse over a location and find out WHEN I can wear a sweater. When is it ever going to get cool or rain again??????????

So, if NEVER, at my house, where then, shall I move?

[HolyCannonball]

09:43 PM on 08/18/2011

Its about time!

[jmills616]

09:38 PM on 08/18/2011

I love you google! Keep not being evil

[DejzaVoo]

09:33 PM on 08/18/2011

I LOVE YOU GOOGLE :D

[Tatum Grey]

09:21 PM on 08/18/2011

very practical. cant wait to use it!

[Ricardo Valentin]

09:19 PM on 08/18/2011

I wonder if they will add a feature telling "the natives are restive". It would be so useful, since you never know, look what happened in UK.