CNN launches standalone weather app

CNN’s latest digital product, a standalone weather app, has launched for iOS users.

Named “CNN Weather,” the app became available May 12, 2026, in the iOS App Store. The company had announced plans for the app back in 2025.

Billed as the network’s first standalone “lifestyle” product, the app was designed with mobile-devices in mind and features a clean user interface that emphasizes easy-to-read typography, less cluttered maps and elegant data visualizations. It also contains swipeable content that emphasizes photos and video, while live video features will also be available during significant weather events.

“We are creating this portfolio of lifestyle products to help our audience navigate a complex world,” said Ben French, senior vice president of new business, in a statement. “CNN Weather will not only prepare people each morning for the day ahead and keep them safe and informed during severe weather events, it will also help our audience appreciate and understand the natural weather phenomena around them.” 

Backed by the network’s weather and climate unit, the new product will cover current conditions, maps, warnings and forecasts alongside explainer-style content covering the science in the sky.

“Audiences have always come to CNN for trusted weather information because of our deep bench of meteorologists and climate experts,” said Angela Fritz, senior director, weather and climate. “Now, with CNN Weather, we can connect people directly with the science-backed insights and analysis that will help them understand the weather and climate events happening around them.” 

CNN Weather will initially be free, according to the network, while also hinting that it might become part of the CNN All Access direct-to-consumer tier that rolled out in 2025, though exact details about this were not provided.

CNN has been emphasizing investments in a “suite of lifestyle products” to reach consumers directly as the traditional linear cable TV model shifts. All Access started this by erecting a paywall to select digital content in 2024 and then adding access to live video and on-demand video content the following year.

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Even prior to All Access, CNN has been working on building up select content verticals as distinct brands, including a weather brand, CNN Style and CNN Travel, largely through dedicated sections on cnn.com. Though no specific plans have been announced, those two categories could be prime picks for possible future standalone digital products.

From a branding standpoint, CNN Weather has its own distinct look. 

The full brand look features the familiar CNN logo alongside the word “Weather” in CNN Sans. Under this is an orange, yellow and mint green gradient that feels reminiscent of a slightly softer take on radar maps’ color-coding. 

When a more compact look is required, a “W” stylized in the distinct double-lined design used in the CNN logo is available. In select instances, it sits on top of a green background with a hint of yellow and orange in the upper left. 

CNN’s entry into the weather space is not new for the network, as it has long maintained a team of meteorologists and weather producers. 

Meanwhile, FNC launched Fox Weather as a linear offering in 2021. It also offers a standalone weather app. MS NOW, formerly MSNBC, relied largely on NBC News’ weather team (as well as the Weather Channel resources before NBCU sold off the brand). MS NOW now relies on AccuWeather for its weather data.

MS NOW does not, however, offer standalone weather products and CNN has opted not to venture into offering a linear weather channel. Fox Weather is largely carried on MVPDs and vMVPDs. There are also over-the-air stations across the country that simulcast the Fox Weather feed for all or part of the day.