Google chose Thursday to give Google Maps a weather layer. The addition gets updated information from Weather.com that cues sky conditions and temperatures to positions on the maps. Results also bring worldwide cloud coverage from the US Naval Research Lab and, with a press, will expand to include forecasts, humidity, wind and other detailed information.
The implementation is currently available only on the desktop version of the Google Maps website. Google hasn’t discussed mobile plans but brings most if not all of its map layers to Android and often its stand-alone iOS apps. Its HTML5 web app can also usually get such features quickly.
Its addition could have a significant impact on weather apps. Tying weather to maps isn’t new by itself, but Google could eliminate the incentive to have a separate weather app by ensuring that even the built-in mapping tools are providing local conditions.
