Dark Sky Founders Launch Acme Weather with Focus on Forecast Uncertainty

After Apple acquired Dark Sky in 2020 and eventually shut down the original app in January 2023, the team behind it is back with a new weather forecasting application: Acme Weather. Launched in February 2026, the app aims to address a common frustration with existing weather services – the lack of transparency regarding forecast reliability. Currently available on the US and Canadian App Stores, Acme Weather distinguishes itself with “alternative forecasts” and a commitment to user privacy.

Addressing Forecast Uncertainty

One of the core principles behind Acme Weather is acknowledging that weather forecasts are inherently uncertain. Rather than presenting a single prediction, the app displays a range of possible outcomes, visually representing the reliability of the forecast. This is achieved through the use of alternative predictions, shown as gray lines on a 24-hour graph alongside the primary forecast [9to5mac]. This approach aims to provide users with a more realistic understanding of potential weather scenarios.

Key Features of Acme Weather

• Alternate Predictions: Displays a range of possible forecasts to illustrate forecast reliability.
• Notifications: Customizable notifications for precipitation, severe weather, lighting, daily summaries, UV index, rainbows, and even Northern Lights [App Store].
• Community Reports: Allows users to report current weather conditions, contributing to real-time local data.
• Detailed Maps: Includes real-time radar, snow accumulation, air quality, and hurricane tracking maps.
• Privacy Focus: The developers emphasize that they do not collect location history, sell user data, or use third-party tracking tools [App Store].

Subscription Model and Pricing

Acme Weather operates on a subscription basis. Users can try the app for free for two weeks, after which a subscription costs $25 per year [App Store]. The developers have stated that this revenue model is necessary to support the cost of high-quality data sources.

From Dark Sky to Apple and Back

The creators of Acme Weather – Adam Grossman, Josh Reyes, and Dan Abrutyn – previously developed Dark Sky, known for its hyperlocal rain predictions and data visualization. After selling Dark Sky to Apple, the team worked on Apple’s WeatherKit, a weather data service for developers. However, Grossman explained that the constraints of a large company made it demanding to pursue experimental ideas [Observer]. This led them to start a new venture where they could explore innovative approaches to weather forecasting.

No Current Plans for an API

Unlike Dark Sky, which offered an API for developers, Acme Weather currently does not have plans to release a public API. According to Grossman, there are no decisions made yet regarding potential APIs [9to5mac].

User Feedback

Early user feedback, as seen on Reddit, indicates some reservations about the subscription model [Reddit]. However, many users are excited to try the app due to their positive experiences with Dark Sky and the promise of more accurate and transparent forecasts.