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The Weather Channel Launches RetroCast, a 90s-Style Web Forecast With Live Data

The throwback design uses real-time data to court lapsed fans.

Overview

  • RetroCast, which went live April 1 at weather.com/retro, brings the channel’s classic local forecast look to the web and was promoted with a note that it was not an April Fools’ prank.
  • It opens with a rotating globe and a countdown, then runs a text-first cycle modeled on “Local on the 8s” that lasts about three minutes per location with no option to pause or fast-forward.
  • The tool shows current conditions, a 36-hour and extended outlook, a regional map, and local radar, and it lets users pick cities, units, and language in settings.
  • A smooth-jazz audio toggle echoes the music longtime viewers remember, which early users praised as part of a nostalgic return they say they want back on TV.
  • An executive told Popular Science the feature will stick around, with a homepage toggle for the retro look coming next and more themed projects under consideration.