Apple says its Weather app “may be slow or unavailable” due to an ongoing issue lasting nearly 24 hours; some users have had data issues for over a week

MacRumors 2023-04-05 Tim Hardwick

Context & Ripple Effects

This is an escalation of the Weather disruption Apple disclosed the previous day: the issue has persisted across Apple’s operating systems, while reports of faulty data extend further back for some users.

It also fits a record of Apple service incidents spanning iCloud, Maps, Siri and media services and an earlier Maps search and routing problem. The relevance is less the weather feature alone than the reliability of a service delivered as part of the platform experience.

First-order effects

Weather users on Apple devices may receive delayed, unavailable, or inaccurate information while the incident remains open.
Apple must manage a cross-platform service failure whose duration now exceeds a typical short-lived outage window.

Second-order effects

Users needing dependable conditions can turn to alternative weather services, reducing reliance on the built-in app during the disruption.
The extended incident raises the importance of status communication and restoration speed for Apple services that users treat as default utilities.

Third-order effects

If recurring service disruptions persist, reliability becomes a clearer competitive differentiator among device ecosystems, not merely a back-end operational measure.
The pattern underscores how a single shared service can create simultaneous failure points across multiple device categories; whether Apple changes its resilience approach is not established by this incident alone.

The trend: Consumer device platforms are increasingly judged on the uptime and data quality of their integrated cloud services, not just their hardware and software features.

Discussion

@avyanited @avyanited on x
Apple weather app not working for anyone else?
@iswupdates @iswupdates on x
That has been a thing for me for weeks https://twitter.com/...
@rayminehane Ray Minehane on x
I am always surprised by how many people use the weather app. Probably the least useful app in Ireland. Only stocks is below it https://twitter.com/...
@tomwarren Tom Warren on x
Apple Weather working ok here, but I really miss Dark Sky. The custom notifications for rain were great, and you can tell Apple Weather has been developed in California where it doesn't rain much 🥲 https://twitter.com/...
@rahulkshetry Rahul on x
Never seen a glitch like this. Is the Apple Weather app working for you? https://twitter.com/...
@wright_de @wright_de on x
Anyone else experiencing problems with Apple Weather? Haven't had any data since yesterday afternoon...
@manan__singh Manan Singh on x
Weather app not working @Apple @AppleSupport on my #iPhone which is updated to the latest version 16.4 Even after opening the app it's not working. Kindly resolve the issue. #appleweather #applebug https://twitter.com/...
@epicrideweather @epicrideweather on x
All of Apple Weather is down. Epic Ride Weather is affected by this outage. Hopefully it comes back soon. https://twitter.com/...
@thenerd_be Frederik Jacques on x
What? You mean we have to look outside to know what the weather is like?!?! https://twitter.com/...
@shaheenshihab @shaheenshihab on x
Apple Weather App Is Down @callmeshazzam https://twitter.com/...
@praveentcom Praveen Thirumurugan on x
Did the WeatherKit credits max out on their developer account? 🫢 https://twitter.com/...
@lukew Luke Wroblewski on x
cue the Dark Sky grief... https://www.macrumors.com/...
@brandonbutch Brandon Butch on x
We're hearing rumors of iOS 16.4.1 coming soon, and one of the fixes could (should) be Weather improvements.
@filipeesposito Filipe Espósito on x
We've complained about the lack of a Weather app for iPad for years but it turns out that Apple really doesn't know how to make a Weather app lol https://twitter.com/...
@chancehmiller Chance Miller on x
Meanwhile, Apple Weather has been down for 12+ hours for many people. A severe weather outbreak is expected across much of Texas and the midwest later today. Great work, team. https://9to5mac.com/...
@jonyiveparody @jonyiveparody on x
Weather on iOS 16 has been unreliable from the beginning. A shame Dark Sky died for this mess. Today might be the day I switch to @CARROT_app. https://twitter.com/...
@counternotions Kontra on x
Bring back Dark Sky, you cowards! https://www.macrumors.com/...
@jonyiveparody @jonyiveparody on x
I'm so old that I can still remember the incredible Dark Sky app that was infinitely better than Weather for iOS. Apple should have acquired Dark Sky... https://twitter.com/...

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