WRAL.com, one of the most visited local media websites in the country, has launched a redesign of its popular Weather page, now equipped with enhanced graphics and new customization features.
Brand new to the page are the Hour-By-Hour forecast application and My Maps. The Hour-By-Hour app provides a visual display of weather conditions forecast for the next 48 hours. Forecast data is displayed in a line graph, and users can mouse over each hour to gather detailed information on precipitation, temperature, wind speed and direction, dew point and humidity.
My Maps allows registered users to customize the page by bookmarking frequently viewed maps, which are then displayed by default at the top of the page on all subsequent visits.
Other updated elements include a more prominent location box for users to type in their zip code or city to receive local weather information, plus a larger and easier-to-find Current Conditions section.
A video player is now embedded and updated at least four times a day with the latest forecast from WRAL’s team of six meteorologists. Also available from the player are the latest Web Weather Extra feature and live streaming of the DUAL Doppler5000. And with the 7-day forecast no longer built in Flash, more people will be able to view and use this graphic with less limitation.
Design changes allow visitors to more easily locate weather maps, graphics and charts by category. And, time-lapse images are readily accessible by clicking on green “1HR” and “8HR” graphic circles at the bottom left corner of the page.
For real-time conditions, the improved Webcams section gives users a quick and simple look at the current conditions in Raleigh, Garner, Durham and Fayetteville.
Visit WRAL.com’s updated Weather page at http://www.wral.com/weather/.
WRAL.com has been recognized as the best local TV website in an international competition sponsored by Editor & Publisher in 2010. In addition to receiving awards from The Associated Press and the Midsouth Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2009, WRAL.com was given a prestigious Edward R. Murrow award for best broadcast-affiliated website among large-market TV stations.
Launched in 1996, WRAL.com is the most popular media site in the Triangle area and one of the most popular TV Web sites in the country. More than half of all adults in the Raleigh-Durham metro area visit the site each month.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Debbie Tullos for this capcom story.
