Questions & answers
A little clarity for the forecast.
Dreadcast gives you useful weather, radar, and a beautifully questionable outlook. Here are the practical details. This site is a preview; the Mac app is still in development.
Getting started
What is Dreadcast?
DREADCAST Weather & Radar is a native Mac app for current weather, forecasts, animated radar, and optional weather layers. It opens in a movable window and can show the current weather in your menu bar. The illustrated scenes are decorative; official alerts and weather readings stay literal.
Can I download it yet?
Not yet. Dreadcast has no signed, notarized public download or Mac App Store listing. Developers can build it from source. The website preview is not the released app.
Which Macs are supported?
The app targets macOS 14 Sonoma or newer. The local source-build script needs an Apple-silicon Mac and Xcode 26. Planned packaged builds include Apple silicon and Intel executables. Weather data requires an internet connection.
Is there an iPhone or iPad app?
No. Dreadcast currently has a native Mac implementation. Device mockups and future-platform references on this preview are not available apps.
Do I need an account?
No account or weather API key is needed for standard weather and radar. Optional Xweather lightning requires your own credentials and eligible plan. Its Pro purchase and credential setup are not available to new users in the current build.
How do I set my location?
Choose Current Location and grant macOS permission, or enter a five-digit US ZIP code. ZIP mode never requests device location.
Weather & maps
Why is radar empty or slow to animate?
There may be no precipitation in view. Dreadcast shows the newest available frame first, then loads older frames before looping. Provider delays, rate limits, or network blocks can also interrupt radar. Wait briefly and refresh once; if the problem persists, check the radar source and your connection.
Why can radar sources look different?
Standard radar uses RainViewer. Enhanced is an experimental NOAA/NWS source with different coverage and processing. Nearby station range, terrain, and maintenance can affect the result. Switch to Standard if Enhanced is less useful where you are.
Are the dramatic scenes a forecast?
No. Scenes and this site's Outlook preview are illustrative. For real conditions, use the app's dated readings, radar, and official hazard details. Follow official instructions during severe weather.
Why is a map layer missing?
Layers have different providers, coverage, and refresh schedules. A layer can be off, outside coverage, or temporarily unavailable while the base map still works. Open Layers & Views in the app for its status and source. Some wind and enhanced feeds remain local or pre-release services.
Why are there no lightning dots?
Lightning needs Pro access, Xweather credentials and plan access, a recent nearby strike, and coverage within about 62 miles. The current Settings UI has no credential-entry fields and purchases are not connected, so new users cannot set it up yet.
Settings & alerts
Where did the window go?
Open Dreadcast from Finder, Spotlight, or the Dock, choose File → Show Dreadcast (⌘0), or use its optional menu bar item. Closing the window keeps the app running. Quit (⌘Q) stops monitoring.
Can I change the look?
Yes. Choose temperature units, illustrated themes, highlight colors, and map or radar palettes. Some choices are Pro-gated in the development app; Pro purchases are not connected yet. Motion follows your macOS Reduce Motion setting.
Why am I not getting notifications?
Turn on Weather Notifications in Dreadcast's Alerts settings and allow Dreadcast in macOS Notifications. Check event type, urgency, and nearby radius; try Send Test Notification. Dreadcast must be running because there is no remote push service after you quit.
Can it open at login or update itself?
Open at Login is available in General settings, subject to macOS Login Items approval. Automatic app updates are not included; source builds need to be pulled and rebuilt.
Privacy & help
Does Dreadcast track me?
Dreadcast has no account, analytics service, or Dreadcast server. Preferences stay on your Mac; weather requests go directly to providers. Current Location is optional and approximate. Read the Privacy Policy and the current source privacy guide for details.
Where can I get help?
Check the user guide or contact support. You can also open an issue with your app build, macOS version, steps to reproduce, and a redacted screenshot or error. Never post credentials or private location details. Follow the security policy for sensitive reports.