How to Get Weather Notifications on iPhone

This guide shows you how to set up weather alerts on your iPhone so you never get caught in the rain or an unexpected storm. You’ll learn to enable notifications for the built-in Weather app, customize alert types, and manage location-based warnings. No extra apps are needed—just your iPhone’s settings and the Weather app.

What You’ll Need

An iPhone running iOS 16 or later (the Weather app is preinstalled).
Location Services enabled for the Weather app (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services).
A stable internet connection (Wi-Fi or cellular) to receive updates.

Step-by-Step

Open the Weather app on your iPhone. It’s the blue icon with a white sun and cloud.
Find the location you want alerts for. Scroll to the bottom of the main screen and tap the list icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom-right corner to see your saved locations.
Add a location if it’s not already there: tap the search bar at the top, type the city or zip code, then tap the result. The location will be added to your list.
Return to the main weather screen for that location by tapping it in the list.
Tap the menu button (the three horizontal lines) again, then tap the bell icon next to the location name. This opens the notification settings for that specific place.
Enable notifications: Toggle on “Allow Notifications” (if it’s off). You’ll see a list of alert types: “Current Conditions,” “Today’s Forecast,” “Rain,” “Severe Weather,” etc.
Choose your alert types: Toggle on the ones you want. For example, turn on “Rain” to get a notification when precipitation is about to start, or “Severe Weather” for official warnings like thunderstorms or tornadoes.
Set the alert frequency (if available): Some alerts let you choose “Once” or “Every hour.” For rain alerts, you might see options like “Next Hour” or “Next 24 Hours.”
Repeat for other locations if needed. Each saved location has its own notification settings.
Test your setup: After enabling, you can check by temporarily turning on a location’s “Current Conditions” alert—you should receive a notification shortly. Then adjust as desired.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to enable Location Services: If the Weather app can’t access your location, it won’t know where you are to send alerts. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Weather and set to “While Using the App” or “Always.”
Notifications muted globally: Check that you haven’t turned off notifications for the Weather app entirely. Go to Settings > Notifications > Weather and ensure “Allow Notifications” is on.
Focus mode silencing alerts: If you have a Focus (like Do Not Disturb) active, it may block notifications. Add Weather to your Focus’s allowed apps or disable the Focus temporarily.
Not saving the location: If you just search for a city but don’t add it to your list, you won’t get alerts for it. Make sure the location appears in your saved list.

Tips

Use “Severe Weather” for official warnings: This is the most important alert—it covers government-issued warnings like flash floods, hurricanes, and extreme heat. Keep it on at all times.
Customize for your commute: Add both your home and work locations, and set rain alerts for each. You’ll know when to grab an umbrella before leaving.
Check notification previews: To see alert details on the lock screen, go to Settings > Notifications > Weather and choose “Always” under “Show Previews.”
Use “Next Hour” for rain: This gives you a heads-up about imminent precipitation, perfect for outdoor plans.
Keep the app updated: Weather app updates often improve alert reliability. Enable automatic updates in Settings > App Store > Automatic Updates.

Troubleshooting

If you’re not receiving notifications, try these fixes in order:

Check notification permissions: Go to Settings > Notifications > Weather. If “Allow Notifications” is off, turn it on. Also ensure “Alerts” (the toggle for notification types) is enabled.
Verify Location Services: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Weather. Set to “While Using the App” or “Always.” If it’s set to “Never,” alerts won’t work.
Restart the Weather app: Swipe up from the bottom (or double-click Home) to see app switcher, then swipe the Weather app away. Reopen it and check if alerts now appear.
Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can fix many notification glitches.
Check Focus modes: Go to Settings > Focus. If any Focus is active, tap it and add Weather to “Allowed Apps” or turn off the Focus temporarily.
Reset location warnings: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > “Status Bar Icon” (optional). Then, in the Weather app, you may see a prompt to allow location again—tap allow.
Update iOS: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Install any available updates, as they often fix bugs.
Delete and re-add the location: In the Weather app, swipe left on the location in your list and tap “Delete.” Then search for it again and re-add it, and enable notifications again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I not getting rain alerts even though I enabled them?

Rain alerts depend on your location and the accuracy of the forecast. Make sure Location Services is set to “Always” for Weather, and that you’ve enabled “Rain” for the specific location. Also, check that your iPhone is not in Low Power Mode, which can delay background updates.

Can I get alerts for multiple cities?

Yes, you can enable notifications for each saved location separately. Just tap the bell icon next to each city in your list and toggle on the alerts you want.

Do weather notifications drain battery?

They use minimal battery, but if you’re concerned, you can reduce frequency. For example, choose “Once” instead of “Every hour” for rain alerts. Also, turning off “Current Conditions” alerts reduces background updates.

How do I turn off weather notifications?

Go to the Weather app, tap the list icon, then tap the bell icon next to the location and toggle off “Allow Notifications.” Or disable all Weather notifications in Settings > Notifications > Weather.

Will I get alerts for severe weather like tornado warnings?

Yes, if you have “Severe Weather” toggled on. These are official alerts issued by national weather services and are pushed to your iPhone even if the app is closed.

Does the Weather app work in other countries?

Yes, the Weather app provides forecasts worldwide, but severe weather alerts depend on local government services. In some regions, alerts may be limited. Check with your local meteorological authority for additional alert options.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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