DS Weather Widget



https://apps.garmin.com/en-US/apps/0198e564-1a57-4dd5-8ffc-a7e829b7f8e8

This works a bit differently than other weather widgets on devices that support background processes! (va-hr,735,f5 family, 935). When installed, there's a background process that gets the current conditions in the background so you always have fairly current weather info with no delay! (you can configure the app so it get's the data every 15,20,30,45 or 60 minutes).

On watches that don't support background, it will request the weather when you go to the widget.

In both cases, pressing "start" will turn on GPS to get the current location, and then request the weather for that location.

There are two data screens that rotate (time configurable).

The 1st screen shows temperature, humidity, pressure, dew point, % of cloud cover, wind speed, wind direction, a summary of the current weather, and the timestamp included in the data so you can see how current it it.

The 2nd screen shows 6 different fields: ozone level, chance of rain, viability, time zone (a city in the current time zone, and not the actual location), storm direction and storm distance.

You do need a API KEY from Darksky.net for this widget, and if you don't have one, there are details in the description in the app store.

You'll see an indication if there is an error (such as there's no phone connection the last time it tried to get the weather).
  • Thanks for the update, now set to 5 seconds.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 7 years ago
    I can't get this to work at all on my Vivoactive HR. Got API key OK from DS but when I open the widget on the watch it just says "Bad API key" and all the fields are blank. Any advice?
  • There might be a case where you see that error until the next time the weather is requested. On the va-hr, press start, and that will get the location and request the data right away. Also, go back and check your app settings and make sure the 32 character is correct, as a missing character will result in this error.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 7 years ago
    Thanks for this.
    Not sure what you mean by the next time the weather is requested. Surely I am requesting it by opening the widget on the watch? Is there another way?
    I have pressed start when the widget is open and nothing changes - empty data fields and Bad API Key message. 32 character is correct too. I could uninstall and reinstall.
  • Actually, with this widget there is a background process that runs to get the data on some of the watches, even when you aren't looking at the widget. After you get it going, you'll see weather data right away, with no delay.

    Pressing "start" doesn't wait for the background process to request data.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 7 years ago
    OK - thanks. I will uninstall it and reinstall it and see what happens.
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 7 years ago
    And it's now working. Thanks!
  • Former Member
    Former Member over 7 years ago
    I'm using this app for Kitesurfing, do you know where Darksky collects their data in Australia?
    https://darksky.net/dev/docs/sources

    I couldn't find info on darksky website.

    I really like the app however the wind speed is completely different to reality... :-(
  • As far as a specific source, you know as much as I do with darksky and it's sources...

    You may want to look at another one of my apps. The WU Weather Widget. It uses the Weather Underground, and will find the closest station in it's network to where you are, or you can set a specific station you want to see. (I have that widget set to show the weather station in my own back yard, for example)
  • A rainradar widget would be cool.