Questions & answers
A little clarity for the forecast.
Practical answers about setting up Dreadcast, reading the radar, choosing map layers, and keeping notifications working.
Getting started
What is Dreadcast?
DREADCAST Weather & Radar is a native Mac app for current conditions, forecasts, animated radar, and optional hazard layers such as alerts, wildfires, hurricanes, smoke, and air quality. It opens in its own window and can also show the current temperature in your menu bar. The illustrated scenes are decorative; readings, radar, and official alerts are always shown as reported.
What do I need to run Dreadcast?
A Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later, with either Apple silicon or an Intel processor, and an internet connection for live weather data.
How do I set my location?
On first launch, choose Current Location and allow macOS location access, or enter a five-digit US ZIP code. ZIP mode never uses your Mac’s location. You can switch at any time in Settings → Location.
Does Dreadcast work outside the United States?
Partly. With Current Location, conditions, forecasts, Standard radar, clouds, and global layers such as earthquakes, aurora, and dust work worldwide. ZIP codes, NWS alerts, severe-weather outlooks, wildfires, and Enhanced radar cover the United States only.
Weather & maps
Why is the radar blank or not animating?
Often there is simply no precipitation in view; zoom out to check. Dreadcast shows the newest frame first and starts the loop once older frames finish loading, which can take a few seconds on a slow connection. If radar stays empty, click refresh, confirm you are online, or try the other radar source.
What is the difference between the radar sources?
Standard uses RainViewer’s global radar composite. Enhanced uses NOAA/NWS data from the nearest US radar station for sharper detail when you zoom in, and is marked Experimental in the app. Distance from the station, terrain, and station maintenance can affect Enhanced results; switch to Standard if it looks incomplete where you are.
Do the illustrated scenes reflect real conditions?
No. The scenes are artwork that sets the mood. Use the dated readings, radar, and official alert details for actual conditions, and follow official instructions during severe weather.
Why isn’t a map layer showing?
Check that the layer is turned on in the Layers menu. Each layer comes from a different agency with its own coverage and update schedule, so a layer may have nothing to show in your area, or its source may be briefly unavailable while everything else keeps working. The Layers menu shows each layer’s status, source, and a retry option.
Settings & alerts
How do I reopen the Dreadcast window?
Click the Dreadcast menu bar item or Dock icon, open Dreadcast from Spotlight or the Applications folder, or choose File → Show Dreadcast (⌘0). Closing the window keeps Dreadcast running so notifications continue; choose Quit (⌘Q) to stop it completely.
Can I customize how Dreadcast looks?
Yes. Choose temperature units, illustrated themes, highlight colors, and map and radar palettes in Settings. Options marked Pro are part of Dreadcast Pro. Animation follows your macOS Reduce Motion setting.
Why am I not getting weather notifications?
Turn on Weather Notifications in Dreadcast Settings and allow Dreadcast in System Settings → Notifications. Then check the event types, minimum urgency, and nearby radius you selected, and use Send Test Notification to confirm delivery. Dreadcast checks for alerts on your Mac, so it must be running; notifications stop after you quit.
Can Dreadcast start automatically when I log in?
Yes. Turn on Open at Login in Settings → General. macOS may ask you to approve it under System Settings → General → Login Items.
Privacy & help
What does Dreadcast do with my data?
Dreadcast has no accounts, analytics, advertising, or tracking. Your settings stay on your Mac. Weather requests use your ZIP code or an approximate location and go to public data providers or to Dreadcast’s servers, which never store your location. See the Privacy Policy for the complete list of providers and what each one receives.
How do I get help?
Email kevin@dreadcast.app. Including your macOS version, Dreadcast version (Settings → About), what you expected, and what happened helps us resolve issues quickly. Please do not send passwords.