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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

WWBT First Alert Weather vs First Alert Weather

WWBT First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner WWBT First Alert Weather
First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 60

WWBT First Alert Weather (App A) is slightly better due to its generally more accurate local forecasts, despite both apps suffering from significant ad intrusion and location-based alert issues.

Full reviews: WWBT First Alert Weather · First Alert Weather

Both WWBT First Alert Weather and First Alert Weather are free apps that provide weather updates, but both are heavily criticized for excessive advertising and issues with location accuracy for alerts and videos. WWBT First Alert Weather has a slight edge in perceived accuracy and performance, though it also struggles with radar glitches and traffic map problems.

Head to head

Features and Content tieR1R3R4R5
WWBT First Alert Weather Users appreciate WWBT First Alert Weather for its fast weather updates, severe weather alerts, and local weather videos, which help them plan their day R5R8. However, some users report issues with the radar flashing or being inaccurate, and a desire for more detailed forecast videos and additional data like barometric pressure or dew point R6R9R10R12. The traffic map feature has also been problematic, showing incorrect locations or limited viewing areas R1R3R4.
First Alert Weather First Alert Weather is valued for its hourly updates and weather videos, which some users find helpful for planning travel and daily activities . However, many users complain about the radar map being inaccurate or difficult to see due to overlays . There are also requests for more detailed snow forecasts and an option to view current weather after updates . Videos often default to incorrect locations .
Ease of Use and Performance edge: WWBT First Alert WeatherR6R7R10R12
WWBT First Alert Weather While some users find WWBT First Alert Weather easy to navigate and concise R23, recent updates have led to complaints about the layout being different and difficult to navigate R7. The app is also reported to be slow, wonky, or crash frequently R18. Radar issues, such as flashing or moving too fast, are common complaints R6R7R10R12.
First Alert Weather First Alert Weather receives criticism for constant crashes, especially when trying to view daily or hourly forecasts . Users also find the site hard to work around and dislike recent updates that changed the forecast page and radar loop behavior . The app is also reported to be slow to load .
Reliability and Accuracy edge: WWBT First Alert WeatherR2R9R11R12
WWBT First Alert Weather Many users praise WWBT First Alert Weather for its accuracy and reliability, especially for the Richmond and Central Virginia area R2R11. However, a significant number of recent reviews report the radar being wildly inaccurate or not working during actual events R9R12R40. There are also issues with receiving alerts for incorrect locations R15R22R37.
First Alert Weather First Alert Weather is considered dependable and accurate by some users, with one user crediting it for saving lives during a tornado . Conversely, a large number of users state that the radar map and hourly forecasts are 'ALWAYS WRONG' and that predictions are frequently incorrect . Similar to App A, it frequently sends alerts for states or locations users do not live in R63.
Price and Value (Free vs. Paid) tieR13R16R18R23
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT First Alert Weather is free to download, but users are extremely frustrated by the overwhelming number of advertisements. Ads appear on the home page, before weather videos, and can be longer than the actual weather reports, making the app feel like a '90s webpage' R13R16R18R23.
First Alert Weather First Alert Weather is also free, but users are equally annoyed by the excessive ads. Commercials play before weather coverage, are often long, and can glitch the app, making it difficult to access information quickly, especially during severe weather R66. Many users find the ad intrusion makes the app useless R88.
Support and Notifications edge: WWBT First Alert WeatherR8R15R22R28
WWBT First Alert Weather Users appreciate the severe weather alerts from WWBT First Alert Weather, which help them stay informed R8. However, some find the number of voice alerts excessive, leading them to turn off notifications . There are also complaints about notifications for incorrect locations R15R22R37 and difficulty finding the app by searching for 'weather' R28.
First Alert Weather First Alert Weather's alerts are valued for keeping users updated . However, a major issue is the frequent and excessive push notifications, often described as 'spam' or 'click-bait,' which many users find annoying and turn off . A significant problem is the lack of a functional contact developer option or a way to report issues within the app . Users also receive alerts for locations not near them R63.
Pick WWBT First Alert Weather if

You are in the Richmond, VA, or Central Virginia area and prioritize generally accurate local forecasts and severe weather alerts, despite potential issues with radar glitches and ad frequency R2R11.

Pick First Alert Weather if

You are in the WLBT coverage area and value the direct connection to news meteorologists for updates, especially during severe weather, and are willing to tolerate frequent ads and occasional inaccuracies .

Evidence note: Both apps are free, leading to numerous complaints about ad intrusion and performance issues, which is common for ad-supported models. Recent negative reviews for both apps highlight a decline in quality after updates, particularly concerning radar accuracy and ad frequency. The lifetime ratings are high, but recent sentiment is more negative.

Frequently asked

Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both WWBT First Alert Weather and First Alert Weather are heavily criticized for excessive advertisements, which appear on the home screen, before videos, and can be longer than the weather reports themselves, making it difficult to access information quickly R13R34R66R88.
Are the weather forecasts accurate?
WWBT First Alert Weather is generally praised for its accuracy in the Richmond area R11R60, though some users report recent radar inaccuracies R9R40. First Alert Weather has mixed reviews, with some finding it accurate and others claiming the radar and forecasts are 'ALWAYS WRONG' .
Do these apps send alerts for locations I don't care about?
Yes, both apps frequently send notifications and display videos for incorrect locations or states that users do not live in, even when location settings are enabled R15R22R37R63.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Traffic: No traffic for outer viewing areas.
  2. [R3] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Traffic map showing wrong location: I use to use the traffic map feature to show me areas of heavy traffic. I live in Dublin California and the traffic map now shows Richmond Virginia. And there is no way to fix it. So the App has become useless.
  3. [R4] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Horrible new traffic update: I grew up in Richmond and love this app for its weather alerts and traffic map. However, after years and years of use I’m having to move on to another app. The new traffic update from a month ago only allows for you to view a small area around Richmond, not simply anywhere you. I use this when I travel all up and down the East coast. The actual traffic conditions and h
  4. [R5] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US First Alert Weather 12: Fast Weather Update any time you need it.
  5. [R6] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US My Radar map is having issues…: This app has worked great until recently. Whenever I open the radar screen, if there is precipitation in the area, it “flashes” the image instead of displaying it on the map. Have I done something unintentionally to the setup?
  6. [R7] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Keeps shutting off Notifications!: New update is trash. Navigating the app is all different now! Radar jerks and jumps. No point for changing the lay out.
  7. [R10] WWBT First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Radar: The radar map moves way to fast to keep up with
  8. [R12] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Fair Weather App: My main issue with the weather app is that the radar doesn’t work when there’s an actual event happening. Doesn’t matter the phone, I’ve seen it on several. I’ll try opening it to see what’s going on and the precipitation blinks on the map. I end up closing it and checking another local station’s.
  9. [R2] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Your porformance: As always your report was very good!
  10. [R9] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Radar is wildly inaccurate: I’ve use this app for years and like the weather videos they post, as well as the functionality of the app. However, in recent times the radar is just wildly inaccurate. Completely different from other radar systems and just shockingly wrong. As an example, right now the NBC12 app is showing a huge storm cell over our head, yet outside, looking up, not a cloud in the sk
  11. [R11] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Accurate: Nowhere can I rely on the weather better than on channel 12
  12. [R13] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Ad Overkill: I would love the app were it not for the home page being filled with half a page of ugly advertisements for sagging skin, dementia, yeah, I’m no spring chicken, but I don’t want to be looking at that stuff just trying to get my weather forecast for the day! I feel like we’re back in the 90s with web pages filled with stupid advertisements. :(
  13. [R16] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US New viewers, love show but hate advertising just to view weather on the app.: Love the weather but the advertising makes it hard to get to weather screen.
  14. [R18] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Way too many ads: Cashes often
  15. [R23] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Short and Sweet: For the RVA / Central Virginia area, this gives you all the weather information you need in an incredibly concise manner. Sure, it starts with an ad, but that’s a small price to pay.
  16. [R8] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Grateful for channel 12 First Alert weather app: We have DISH and as of a few days ago, we no longer have channel 12. I am so glad I downloaded the 12/ first weather app. Especially today we were able to stay up on the severe weather updates. Thank you channel 12.
  17. [R15] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Weather in Richmond Virginia: I live in Franklin WI. Keep getting alerts for Virginia.
  18. [R22] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US I don’t live on the east coast: Even though I have my location on (and don’t live on the east coast) I get notifications about weather on the east coast.
  19. [R28] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Weather: Why can’t you find this by searching for weather? Since it is a weather app you should be able to search for it on your mobile device by simply typing weather.
  20. [R34] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Weather updates: I don’t like having to watch the commercials with every short weather update. It seems the commercials are longer than your reports. The other stations give the same information without the commercials and because of that I watch them and not you.
  21. [R66] First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Weather app: The app has a few issues. First, it plays commercials before showing the 60-second preview of upcoming coverage, which isn’t helpful when a storm is approaching, and quick updates are needed. Second, when the news team is live, clicking to watch within the app redirects to the WLBT 3 website, where the live stream takes too long to load, again, not ideal during severe weather. Could li
  22. [R88] First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Don’t have time to watch it anymore! It’s useless: I used to rely heavily on this application for a quick 60 seconds overview of the weather forecast, but recently they’ve added commercials that are LONGER than the 60 seconds weather forecast. I simply don’t have time to sit thru the commercials to get to a 60 seconds weather summary. The application is of no use to me anymore. Last Saturday, a ho
  23. [R40] WWBT First Alert Weather 2/5 · US JB: It used to be a great weather radar that we could count on for accuracy! In the past month it has been very unreliable!! I don’t know what happened, but you can’t count on it any more!!!
  24. [R60] WWBT First Alert Weather 4/5 · US Informative and accurate: Specifically provides accurate and timely information for the Richmond and surrounding countries by meteorologists, we trusted through the years.👍
  25. [R37] WWBT First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Shows weather videos for incorrect location: This app sends alerts and shows videos for Virginia even though my location is set for Jacksonville.
  26. [R63] First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Wrong area: My app is set to Atlanta, but keep getting weather reports from Mississippi.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store