For our readers propped up in a beach chair somewhere in Cabo San Lucas, finding ways to stay alerted on weather events isn't very high on the to-do list of automations. But for nearly everyone else, staying on top of what the clouds may bring is important to help plan your daily activities and prepare for emergencies.

We oftentimes forget to think about what Mother Nature might be doing tomorrow or the next week, leading to unwanted surprises when scheduling outdoor activities, taking care or lawns and gardens, or going on a trip. With the help of IFTTT and smart weather alerts, you can completely change the way you check the weather. From adjusting your home's thermostat automatically to receiving timely weather notifications, the possibilities are endless.

In this guide, we'll explain what IFTTT does and explore how our Weather integrations can transform your life. We'll also present four case studies using our pre-made automations to give you inspiration when building your own. Grab your umbrella, and get ready to embrace a smarter, more efficient way of living.

What is weather automation?

IFTTT's weather tools connects weather data with over 1000 of your favorite apps and devices. This way, an automation triggers tasks based on real-time an future weather conditions. Weather automations are especially important because they can execute tasks like shutting off sprinklers even if you forget to check the forecast the day before.

We won't bore you with all the details behind how this relationship works but rather give you the tools needed to start building automations today. Whether it's receiving rain alerts or adjusting your home's temperature, IFTTT makes it simple.

Our system uses Applets, which are routines connecting two different services. These are made with an If This, Then That logic that is easy to pick up and requires no prior programming knowledge.

Here’s how it works:

If This: Choose a weather condition like rain or temperature drop.

Then That: Define an action like sending a notification or adjusting a device.

You can choose a service and a trigger for the trigger, and a different service and action for the resulting action. This flexibility lets you craft solutions tailored to your unique needs. Other modifiers can be setup, extending the functionality of your automation. These options include:

Query: Will gain additional information from Triggers. For example, you can use metrics such as links clicked, lights switched, or blogs posted. This can help you choose when to run an Applet, or to only run it under certain conditions.

Filter Code: This function is great for those with coding ability, looking to add more complex features. Filter Code allows you to input your own lines of JavaScript, to add new parameters to the Applet.

Delay: A simple yet very powerful feature, Delay will let you choose an amount of time between the Trigger and Action.

The benefits of smart weather automation

Weather automation isn’t just about getting a daily forecast. It’s about weaving better awareness into your daily routines so you can focus on what matters. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Protect your home and garden

Nobody wants to wake up to a soaked lawn because the sprinklers ran during a thunderstorm. With IFTTT, you can automatically pause watering schedules when rain is detected or switch off watering devices during high winds.

2. Stay ahead of weather

IFTTT enables alerts to be sent directly to your phone, email, smartwatch, or smart speaker when severe weather approaches. Whether it’s a heat wave or hurricane, early warnings give you time to prepare and stay safe.

3. Clean energy use

Weather automation can adjust your smart thermostat based on real-time temperatures, which reduces energy waste and lowers utility bills without having to lift a finger.

4. Improve your daily planning

Imagine waking up and automatically receiving a message if snow or rain is expected. This automation can simplify getting ready, and you can even set reminders to bring an umbrella or reschedule outdoor meetings.

5. Travel with confidence

Plan your road trips, flights, or hikes better with tailored notifications about the weather along your route, helping you avoid delays or pack the right gear.

Weather automation ideas with example Applets

Reminders about daily weather

Sometimes we forget about the weather until it's too late, and we're already trudging through the snow without boots or melting out of a jacket in the hot sun. By getting a simple reminder about a certain weather condition, you can be reminded to dress properly, water the garden, apply sunscreen, and infinitely more possibilities.

Setting up reminder-based Applets is incredibly simple, and we'll provide some examples below. Remember, to get started with an Applet you like, just click on the card, and you'll be redirected to our setup page for that automation.

Smarter air quality monitoring

Whether you live in a wildfire-prone region or just want to avoid pollution exposure, real-time air quality alerts can be a game changer. We recommend connecting air quality data to devices like smart air purifiers or use alerts to adjust your schedule and avoid the outdoors on high-pollution days.

Failproof garden and lawn care

Seasoned gardeners know that different plants require specific care and differing amounts of water. With IFTTT, you can make your lawn and garden care more consistent by automatically adjusting watering schedules based on forecast data.

Weather based automations can pause your irrigation system on rainy days or remind you to water after a heatwave. This not only conserves water but also helps your plants thrive year-round.

Perfecting indoor ambiance

Weather plays a big role in how your home feels. When it's gloomy or foggy outside, your indoor lighting might need a cozy boost. When it's sunny and breezy, your smart blinds and thermostat can activate to maintain comfort without wasting energy.

Finding the perfect balance means home will always feel like a place to relax. With a simple Applet, you can set the ideal ambiance with lighting, heating and air conditioning, blinds, and much more.

Other top weather Applets with IFTTT

We host millions (yes, millions) of Applets for a wide range of services. Here is a list of our top ten weather Applets that the community turn to time and time again.

FAQ

How does IFTTT use sensitive data?

IFTTT values your privacy and only uses the data required to run your chosen Applets. If any Applet involves a device or service that shares sensitive data (like location or email), IFTTT will ask for your permission. We never sell or share any sensitive data with any third party.

For weather-based automations, IFTTT accesses real-time weather conditions from trusted sources like Weather Underground.

Is IFTTT free?

IFTTT offers a free plan that includes access to up to two Applets. However, there are also Pro and Pro+ tiers that unlock additional features such as multiple actions per Applet, faster execution times, AI tools, advanced filtering options, and unlimited Applets.

How do I build my own Applet?

Creating your own Applet is easy. Just follow these steps:

• Visit IFTTT.com/create.
• Click on “If This” to select a weather-related trigger (e.g., temperature falls below 40°F).
• Click on “Then That” to choose an action (e.g., send a phone notification or turn off the sprinkler).
• Customize any options or filters, then save your Applet.

That’s it! Your automation will now run.

How do I suggest a new service for IFTTT?

IFTTT is always expanding and we highly value feedback. If there's a specific device, app, or service you’d like to see integrated, you can suggest it through IFTTT's support page. If a lot of users request a feature, we'll likely add it in the near future.

Sunnier skies with IFTTT

We hope this article has given you some inspiration on getting started with our weather automations. Whether you're looking to save time, reduce energy waste, or simply make your day run smoother, IFTTT makes it easy to stay one step ahead.

The weather may be unpredictable, but your day doesn’t have to be. Simply sign up for an account our website and start automating in less than five minutes. To build your first Applet, simply click the button below, follow the prompts, and choose "Create" to get started. For any additional help with building an Applet, check out our guide here.