Storms and stars ahead: 5 must-have Czech weather apps you need this week

Following a weekend of wildly variable conditions, Czechia’s stormy spell is set to continue into the week—with meteorologists warning of severe thunderstorms through Monday evening. Expect strong winds, torrential rain, hail up to 3 cm, and flash flood risks, especially in the southeast, where storms will likely hit hardest with gusts reaching 90 km/h.

Rain is forecast in Prague every day this week except Friday, and a high risk of local flooding could affect smaller streams and low-lying areas. Meanwhile, a powerful geomagnetic storm triggered by a solar eruption may make auroras briefly visible from parts of the country, on Monday, June 2, though heavy cloud cover may block the view.

To best prepare for this mixed bag of weather conditions, here are five apps that will help you know whether or not to bring an umbrella this week and beyond:

This web-based application, which translates to flash flood indicator, indicates rainfall trends in real time. The app displays real-time and forecasted precipitation data, including flash flood risks within specific administrative regions. Additionally, it offers layered map visualizations showing rainfall amounts and watershed information.

The Czech Hydrometeorological Institute offers its own app on top of its web offering. The app provides real-time alerts for various hazardous weather phenomena, such as storms and floods, delivered via push notifications. Users can customize these alerts based on personal criteria, like expected rainfall in a specific area or changes in watercourse levels. They also show UV index predictions, air pollution levels, and tick activity information. 

SolarHam is an English-friendly space weather resource that offers real-time updates on solar activity such as sunspots, solar flares, and geomagnetic storms. It provides data and forecasts relevant to aurora watchers and amateur radio enthusiasts—it has global coverage, so you can see when any episodes of aurora borealis are on display from Czechia.

This English-friendly, Czech-designed app offers over 50 high-resolution weather maps, including wind, temperature, precipitation, and storm tracking, making it a valuable resource for outdoor enthusiasts. It also has a built-in route planner: users can plan trips with detailed weather information for various activities, including hiking, sailing, and aviation.

This is a free mobile application that provides real-time monitoring and forecasting of auroral activity, aiming to inform users about the potential visibility of the northern lights. It offers both short-term (next hour) and long-term (up to 27 days) forecasts, incorporating factors such as weather conditions, moon illumination, and solar wind data from NASA satellites. Notably, it provides customizable alerts based on user location.