User Perceptions Towards Mobile Weather Apps: An NLP-Based Content and Reviews Analysis Study

This study delves into how people use and perceive mobile weather apps, a field that's grown significantly with the rise of advanced broadcasting technology and the widespread use of smartphones with geolocation features. By analyzing user reviews of the top 40 weather apps in the United States through sentiment analysis and topic modeling, the research aims to understand what users really think and need from these apps. A key discovery is that extreme weather events significantly shape user reviews and the topics they talk about, highlighting how much people rely on these apps when the weather gets rough. However, the study uncovers a gap between what users expect and what these apps can actually deliver, mainly because predicting the weather is inherently uncertain. This insight is crucial for those who make and improve weather apps, as well as for meteorologists. It shows the importance of balancing the latest tech with clear communication about what these apps can and can't do. The findings are a call to action for better managing user expectations, while also pushing the envelope in making weather forecasts more accurate and reliable.