Same location, different forecast: KMA explains why Galaxy and iPhone weather apps disagree

The Korea Meteorological Administration has explained why the default weather apps on Samsung Electronics' Galaxy smartphones and Apple's iPhones can show different conditions for the same location — the two apps draw on different data sources.

In a short video titled "Galaxy vs. iPhone — Why Is the Weather Different?" posted to the agency's official YouTube channel on Saturday, forecaster Lee Won-gil said the discrepancy is a known phenomenon. "Even for the same area, the weather information shown on an iPhone and a Galaxy can differ," he said. "That is because smartphone weather apps each use different meteorological forecast data to deliver their service."

Those differing datasets can produce variations in temperature readings, precipitation probability and the expected timing of rainfall, he said.

The source information displayed at the bottom of each app reveals the distinction. Galaxy relies on The Weather Channel, which draws on KMA data, while iPhone uses Apple Weather, the company's proprietary database built from sources including the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Apple Weather also uses BreezoMeter for air quality information and KMA data for severe weather alerts.

"Because smartphones are distributed worldwide, they provide weather information using numerical forecast model outputs from private weather companies or the meteorological agencies of certain countries," Lee said.

Portal services such as Naver carry forecasts from both the KMA and multiple private weather providers. Lee said private weather companies also base their services on numerical forecast models, which means results can vary from one service to another.

Numerical forecast models use supercomputers to process observational data from around the world and project future weather conditions. Only nine countries operate their own independent numerical forecast models.

South Korea runs the Korea Integrated Model, or KIM, which it developed domestically. KIM cross-analyzes data from a range of domestic and international numerical models — including the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts model and the United Kingdom's Unified Model — while accounting for the Korean Peninsula's terrain and regional weather characteristics and incorporating real-time observational data. Final forecasts are issued twice daily following dedicated review meetings.

The KMA also operates its own weather app, Nalssialrimi, which delivers forecasts based on agency data processed through analysis by its professional forecasters.

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