I agree. It's really cool. I wonder if this was written with AI assistance. Seems like the perfect kind of fun project that a dev team would really be able to crank out pretty quickly whereas five years ago, there might not have been time or budget for something like this.
This appears to be a fairly low effort simulation of a WeatherStar 4000, but it's been done much better by someone else here: https://weatherstar.netbymatt.com/
Also for those of us like me who grew up with a cable provider that still ran the old WeatherStar III, there's this one: https://weatherstar3000.netbymatt.com/
This may be an age or geography thing, but Weather.com/Retro looks a lot more like the weather channels I remember than either of your two links.
I don't think they were trying to recreate the thing you were expecting, but it seems a little harsh to call it low effort. It's neat! A fun little nod to their history.
As others have stated, no, this isn't a simulation of WeatherStar. It does, however, look exactly like the weather channel did when I was a kid. (New Jersey and Maryland, in the 80s and 90s)
Because, IIRC (it has been a while since I’ve looked at the code) it grabs weather from the US National Weather Service… which is also a primary source of data for the original WeatherStar.
It’s useful for this purpose because all of the data is in the same format as the original down to the different forecast types and phrasing used
It's nearly perfect. My only complaint is I wish it would keep playing on repeat, and rotate through more smooth jazz. Then I could have this on a screen in my living room, fall asleep on my couch in a snuggie, and wake up to its garish light and jazz at 3am just like old times
I've been thinking about something like this too, but I very sadly no longer have any of my old CRTs. :(
Instead, I was thinking of writing up a program to compose and stream some local IPTV channels in this vein, maybe have the server slap some inexpensive CRT / NTSC shaders on them (if I can figure out how one would do such a thing!).
This is really cool. But showing Fahrenheit, despite everything else is perfectly localized, for my home town Hamburg in Germany, is somewhat useless. Guys from the US, we use Celcius here! :-P
Ah, nice, thank you very much. But it is impossible to reach the countdown page once you are in. So it is almost impossible to make the switch, because you notice the Fahrenheit thing only if it is too late. And it looses the setting after a reload..
Awesome, nice retro vibe. I used to build these channels back in the day in Scala Info channel (narrowcasting) for hospitals and radio stations etc. Would love to see a metric switch to C en km/h
I love how it's built. How they did the blurring and filter stacking. I assumed the whole thing was being streamed in as video.
Good job Weather Channel dev. I just wish it would loop forever. Make a loop checkbox at the start screen.
Also the music slaps.
I agree. It's really cool. I wonder if this was written with AI assistance. Seems like the perfect kind of fun project that a dev team would really be able to crank out pretty quickly whereas five years ago, there might not have been time or budget for something like this.
This appears to be a fairly low effort simulation of a WeatherStar 4000, but it's been done much better by someone else here: https://weatherstar.netbymatt.com/
Also for those of us like me who grew up with a cable provider that still ran the old WeatherStar III, there's this one: https://weatherstar3000.netbymatt.com/
This may be an age or geography thing, but Weather.com/Retro looks a lot more like the weather channels I remember than either of your two links.
I don't think they were trying to recreate the thing you were expecting, but it seems a little harsh to call it low effort. It's neat! A fun little nod to their history.
As others have stated, no, this isn't a simulation of WeatherStar. It does, however, look exactly like the weather channel did when I was a kid. (New Jersey and Maryland, in the 80s and 90s)
The blurring/low quality effect in the weather.com version is so much convincing, it feels like watching it through a CRT tv
weather.com/retro adjusted to my location based on ip. The one you linked does not allow non-US locations.
Edit: deleted, someone already mention non-US locations not working
The one you posted works only for americans
Because, IIRC (it has been a while since I’ve looked at the code) it grabs weather from the US National Weather Service… which is also a primary source of data for the original WeatherStar.
It’s useful for this purpose because all of the data is in the same format as the original down to the different forecast types and phrasing used
Were the real things ever available outside of America?
Either way, thanks to the wonders of open source here's a fork that works for other parts of the world: https://mwood77.github.io/ws4kp-international/
Got really confused why is my WinAmp was double decked there.
Thanks!
This is pretty neat. I think I probably get this transmission on Infochammel.
that one doesn't put my laptop to aspirate and it;s fast
Ughhhh snow storm tomorrow
It's nearly perfect. My only complaint is I wish it would keep playing on repeat, and rotate through more smooth jazz. Then I could have this on a screen in my living room, fall asleep on my couch in a snuggie, and wake up to its garish light and jazz at 3am just like old times
I have a old tv that I want to have this running , thinking of the cheapest way to get this playing (with new hardware prices increasing).
Probably still a rpi.
I've been thinking about something like this too, but I very sadly no longer have any of my old CRTs. :(
Instead, I was thinking of writing up a program to compose and stream some local IPTV channels in this vein, maybe have the server slap some inexpensive CRT / NTSC shaders on them (if I can figure out how one would do such a thing!).
This is really cool. But showing Fahrenheit, despite everything else is perfectly localized, for my home town Hamburg in Germany, is somewhat useless. Guys from the US, we use Celcius here! :-P
you can change the unit in settings, just click the gear on countdown page
Ah, nice, thank you very much. But it is impossible to reach the countdown page once you are in. So it is almost impossible to make the switch, because you notice the Fahrenheit thing only if it is too late. And it looses the setting after a reload..
"This content is no longer available in your area"
What kind of sensitive thing is there that the page must be region-restricted?
As we get set to leave NATO, we are taking all our toys with us. No more weather for you.
Looks awesome, if only it used correct units.
You can change the units in the settings, accessible from the start screen
Don’t miss the unmute icon in the lower right (at least on my browser).
But once you unmute, there is no way back...
Once you unmute, your browser should display a speaker icon for that tab, which you can use to mute the tab again.
why do i love this so much? nostalgia hitting hard these days.
Awesome, nice retro vibe. I used to build these channels back in the day in Scala Info channel (narrowcasting) for hospitals and radio stations etc. Would love to see a metric switch to C en km/h
> Would love to see a metric switch to C en km/h
You can change the units and location by clicking the gear icon next to the city on the screen it shows in between broadcasts.
how to change language....mine's making me chinese
only on the start screen - try a full refresh
gah only simplified Chinese
Looks great on mobile in portrait mode. Bonus points for the audio.
So good. That music had me relaxing for 5' straight.
Ah, that old soft jazz...
Well done. Added to my home screen. Imagine a daily smooth jazz weather report will soothe the soul nicely.
This is so much better than their actual website.
perfect to throw on a mini crt looking screen in the kitchen
weather on the 8s
Music is so relaxing.
looks cool
Now we just need gen AI weatherwoman with a really really bad bluescreen and have her show the 3d map rotating around randomly toward cities.