ForcastFox was always my go-to. It just worked and fit my style. With its demise, followed by hit-and-miss “fixes,” I searched for a replacement weather add-in.

Enter Weather Extension… Specifically Weather Extension Pro.

Weather Extension is an up-and-coming weather add-in that provides a service I need in a way I need it. Its toolbar icon with popup extended forecast information provides me with up-to-date weather for any number of cities I need, an hourly forecast, in-depth weather-related data, and various radar views. It does so via a very modern presentation that flows pretty smoothly once you get the hang of it. For those wondering, weather information is provided by DarkSky.net.

Tim, the Weather Extension creator, is very responsive to user requests for assistance and is actively working to improve the add-in.

Overall, Weather Extension is a very good weather add-in. Here are some things that would make it better:

1. While the weather icon Weather Extension uses changes based on the current weather, the icon set is not very attractive. There is no current way to change the set. How about an option to change the set?

2. The weather icon does not display a current temperature overlay. Tim provided me a specific build that provided the overlay, which is great! Unfortunately, it really overshadows the actual icon, which itself wasn’t ideal in the first place. In addition, there is currently no option to turn the temperature overlay on or off.

3. On mouseover, the user sees a simple tooltip highlighting the current location, actual temperature and real feel temperature. Users like me would prefer to see the actual extended forecast on mouseover instead of the tooltip, or at the very least have an option to do so.

4. The weather is currently updated on a fixed 30-minute schedule. Some users might prefer a different schedule.

5. The extended forecast popup as presented is pretty straightforward. It has a Windows 10 feel to it. The current location is listed at the top. Unfortunately, although users can add other locations, they can’t currently delete the default location. Unless you’re interested in the default location, it’s a waste.

6. As stated, users may add multiple locations in the pro version. Unfortunately, there is no current way to automatically cycle through each location on a timed basis.

7. The weather icons, again, are not to my taste given their Windows 10-like style. Unfortunately, users do not have an option to choose another set. Pro users can see an animated set, but it’s the same design style as the fixed.

8. If using the NoScript add-in, the radar will not work unless you allow the DarkSky.net website. This may be an issue for some. I've used other weather add-ins that did not require the user to allow another website.

On a personal note, I did have problems with the extended forecast popup often freezing Firefox, forcing me to have to use Task Manager to close Firefox, then restart the program. I tried the add-in with all other add-ins disabled, yet still had the issue. Tim helped narrow it down to a specific Firefox setting. While the problem is mostly resolved, it does still occur on rare occasions.

That said, I expect Tim will continue to improve Weather Extension, hopefully incorporating some of the suggestions above. In addition, I suggest he look at the competition and how it presents the weather. Some competitors present some elements in a better way (for me at least).

In the meantime, Weather Extension is well worth your consideration!