Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

WWBT First Alert Weather vs Storm team 12

WWBT First Alert Weather 4.7★ · Free to download 65
Winner WWBT First Alert Weather
Storm team 12 4.7★ · Free to download 60

WWBT First Alert Weather has a slight edge due to its slightly better overall performance and fewer critical issues compared to Storm team 12, despite both apps struggling with recent updates and ad overload.

Full reviews: WWBT First Alert Weather · Storm team 12

Both WWBT First Alert Weather and Storm team 12 are free weather apps that provide local forecasts and radar, but recent updates have introduced significant issues for users of both, including radar inaccuracies, app instability, and excessive advertisements. WWBT First Alert Weather generally maintains a higher user satisfaction, particularly for its accuracy and alerts, while Storm team 12 struggles more with map functionality and location settings.

Head to head

Features and Functionality edge: WWBT First Alert WeatherR3R4R5R6
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT First Alert Weather users appreciate its fast weather updates, reliable alerts, and local focus for the Richmond area R5R8R41. However, recent updates have caused significant issues with the radar flashing or being inaccurate, traffic maps being limited, and the overall layout changing negatively R3R4R6R7. Some users also desire additional features like barometric pressure or humidity readings .
Storm team 12 Storm team 12 is praised for its accurate radar, severe weather alerts, and video updates R71R86. However, many users report that the radar is often dysfunctional, inaccurate, or shows outdated information . The map feature has also been heavily criticized for not retaining location settings and showing too broad an area R72.
Ease of Use and Reliability tieR3R7R9R19
WWBT First Alert Weather Users generally found WWBT First Alert Weather easy to use before recent updates, appreciating its concise information . However, recent updates have made the app's navigation different, caused the radar to jerk or flash, and led to frequent crashes or freezing R3R7R9R19. Some users also report issues with notifications shutting off or being excessive R7.
Storm team 12 Storm team 12 users describe the app as easy to use when it works, especially for quick radar checks . However, the app is frequently reported to glitch, crash, or freeze, particularly after updates . Users also find the map feature annoying due to constant resetting of location R72.
Accuracy edge: WWBT First Alert WeatherR2R6R9R11
WWBT First Alert Weather Many WWBT First Alert Weather users praise its accuracy and reliability, stating it's their go-to for local weather R2R11. However, recent complaints indicate the radar has become wildly inaccurate or shows precipitation when there is none R6R9.
Storm team 12 Storm team 12 is generally considered accurate, with users depending on it for severe weather and daily forecasts R71R86. Conversely, a significant number of recent reviews highlight radar inaccuracies, showing rain when it's clear or incorrect percentages .
Advertisements tieR13R15R16R21
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT First Alert Weather users frequently complain about the excessive number and intrusiveness of ads, especially video ads that interrupt forecasts or appear on the home screen R13R15R16R21. Some note that commercials are longer than weather reports R34R35.
Storm team 12 Storm team 12 also receives numerous complaints about an overwhelming number of ads, particularly lengthy video ads that play before short weather updates or replay when trying to rewatch content . Users find them annoying and disruptive to accessing information .
Location Services and Alerts edge: WWBT First Alert WeatherR1R4R12R22
WWBT First Alert Weather WWBT First Alert Weather users report issues with receiving alerts or forecasts for incorrect locations, even when location services are enabled R1R4R12R22. The new traffic update also limits viewing to a small area around Richmond R4.
Storm team 12 Storm team 12 users frequently experience problems with the app defaulting to incorrect locations, such as Kansas City or the entire USA, despite setting their actual location R72. Some also desire more granular control over alert types, like only receiving tornado warnings .
Pick WWBT First Alert Weather if

You are in the Richmond, VA area and prioritize timely, accurate local weather information and alerts, and are willing to tolerate occasional app glitches and numerous ads R5R8R11.

Pick Storm team 12 if

You value a weather app with strong severe weather tracking and video updates, and are hopeful that recent update issues with radar and location settings will be resolved R71R86.

Evidence note: Both apps are free, and many negative reviews across both are related to the recent updates introducing bugs and increased ads, which is common for free apps relying on advertising revenue.

Frequently asked

Are these apps reliable for severe weather alerts?
Yes, both apps are generally considered reliable for severe weather alerts and updates, with users from both praising their ability to keep them informed during storms and even tornadoes R8R41R71R86.
Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both WWBT First Alert Weather and Storm team 12 are heavily criticized by users for having an excessive number of ads, including lengthy video ads that interrupt content and appear frequently R13R16R34R35.
Are there issues with radar accuracy or functionality?
Yes, both apps have received numerous recent complaints about radar accuracy and functionality, with users reporting flashing images, inaccurate precipitation displays, or the radar not working at all R3R6R9R43.
Do these apps have problems with location settings?
Yes, both apps have issues with location settings; WWBT First Alert Weather users report receiving alerts for incorrect regions R12R22R37, while Storm team 12 users frequently complain about the app defaulting to wrong locations like Kansas City or the entire USA, requiring constant manual adjustment R72.

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. [R3] 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?
  2. [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
  3. [R5] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US First Alert Weather 12: Fast Weather Update any time you need it.
  4. [R6] 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
  5. [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.
  6. [R9] 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.
  7. [R19] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Bad Update!: Why? Do not like the new update, put it back the way it was.
  8. [R2] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Your porformance: As always your report was very good!
  9. [R11] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Accurate: Nowhere can I rely on the weather better than on channel 12
  10. [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. :(
  11. [R15] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Way too many ads: Cashes often
  12. [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.
  13. [R21] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US NO Advertisements please: I like the app, but I don't like the Advertisements, and it takes few seconds until open the app, but it's very accurate
  14. [R1] WWBT First Alert Weather 1/5 · US Traffic: No traffic for outer viewing areas.
  15. [R12] WWBT First Alert Weather 3/5 · US Weather in Richmond Virginia: I live in Franklin WI. Keep getting alerts for Virginia.
  16. [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.
  17. [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.
  18. [R41] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Love the Alerts: I feel very safe in knowing what the days weather will be and love the alerts informing of any significant weather changes going on. Thank you for keeping me and loved ones about weather updates and conditions!
  19. [R71] Storm team 12 5/5 · US Storm radar,weather outlook: This app is so accurate this app saved my during a tornado
  20. [R86] Storm team 12 5/5 · US Amazing: It has been so helpful. There’s big storms coming so I can plan easily
  21. [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.
  22. [R35] WWBT First Alert Weather 5/5 · US Tornado warning frustration: You sent out a tornado warning, during our hurricane, went on your site and had to listen to a 90 second real estate commercial before I could get information. That not cool!
  23. [R43] WWBT First Alert Weather 2/5 · US Radar glitchy: Some days it works fine then on some other days the radar starts flashing off and on and makes the app unusable.. please fix this developers
  24. [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.
  25. [R72] Storm team 12 3/5 · US Not happy: I don’t care for this recent update. Especially the map. It shows the entire country. After adjusting to my location, that setting does not stay set. Each time I open the app, I have to change the map. Which is annoying. Didn’t have to do this before. And there are too many buttons. I liked the previous version much better.

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