Vanecast
Weather at a Glance
Vanecast puts the weather in your Mac menu bar. A glance shows the current temperature and condition, and one click opens the full picture with feels like, humidity, wind, the UV index, sunrise and sunset, an hourly view for the next day, and a nine day forecast. Read it in Fahrenheit or Celsius, switched with one click. Vanecast is built to be private. It never asks for Location Services and it never reads where your Mac is. You type a ZIP code or a city name, and that is the only location detail the app ever uses. The moon phase is named and always on screen, and a built-in key explains every forecast icon. Save up to five places and switch between them with a click. Everything comes from Open-Meteo, a free and open weather service, with no account, no ads, and no tracking.
Features
Weather in Your Menu Bar
The current temperature and condition sit in your menu bar, always in view. One click opens the full popover with feels like, humidity, and wind.
Hourly and Nine Days Out
Switch between an hourly forecast for the next 24 hours and a nine day daily forecast with the high, the low, and the chance of rain.
No Location Permission, Ever
Vanecast never asks for Location Services and links no location framework. You type a ZIP code or a city, and that is the only location detail it uses.
Save Your Places
Keep up to five cities and switch between them with a click. Star one as your default so it opens first. Add a place by ZIP or by name.
Fahrenheit or Celsius
Switch units with one click, right beside the humidity and wind readouts. Wind follows along, showing mph with Fahrenheit and km/h with Celsius. Your choice is remembered.
The Sun, Not Just the Sky
The UV index with its exposure band, from Low through Extreme, alongside sunrise and sunset for the city you are looking at. Sun times are shown in that city's own time zone, so a saved place on the other side of the world reads in its own hours.
The Moon Phase, Always
Vanecast names the current moon phase and keeps it on screen at all times, in daylight and under an overcast alike. The phase is worked out on your Mac from the lunar cycle, so it costs no network call and works offline.
A Key for Every Icon
A built-in weather key explains what each forecast icon and colour means, from drizzle through freezing rain. A sun or a moon appears only when the sky is clear enough to show one, so rain and cloud read the same by day and by night.
Private and Free
No account, no ads, no tracking, and no analytics. Vanecast runs in the macOS App Sandbox and only connects to fetch the forecast. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com.
Screenshots
How It Works
Enter a ZIP or City
On first launch Vanecast asks for a ZIP code or a city name. It never asks for Location Services. Type a place and press Add.
Glance at the Menu Bar
The current temperature and condition appear in your menu bar. Click to open the popover for feels like, humidity, wind, and the forecast.
Add More Places
Save up to five cities and switch between them with a click. Star one as your default so it opens first every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install Vanecast?
Download Vanecast from the Mac App Store. After installation it appears in your Applications folder. Launch it and it will appear in your menu bar.
Does Vanecast use my location?
No. Vanecast never asks for Location Services and contains no location framework. The only location detail it uses is the ZIP code or city name you type, which it sends to Open-Meteo to look up coordinates and fetch the forecast.
Where does the weather data come from?
All weather and geocoding come from Open-Meteo, a free and open weather service that needs no account or API key. Forecasts are estimates and may not reflect actual conditions.
Can I save more than one city?
Yes. Vanecast saves up to five places. Switch between them with a click and star one as your default so it opens first.
Can I switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius?
Yes. The switch sits beside the humidity and wind readouts in the popover. Wind speed follows it, showing miles per hour with Fahrenheit and kilometers per hour with Celsius. Your choice is remembered between launches.
How often does the forecast refresh?
Every five minutes while Vanecast is running, and immediately when you switch cities or change units. The popover shows how long ago the current reading arrived, so you always know how fresh it is.
Does Vanecast collect my data?
No. Vanecast collects no personal data and uses no analytics, advertising, or third party services. Your saved cities and temperature unit are stored locally on your Mac and never leave it.
Is there a subscription?
No. Vanecast is free. There are no subscriptions, in app purchases, or recurring fees.
How do I uninstall Vanecast?
Drag Vanecast from your Applications folder to the Trash. No extra cleanup is needed.
What do the UV index numbers mean?
Vanecast shows the current UV index with the World Health Organization's exposure band beside it: 0 to 2 is Low, 3 to 5 is Moderate, 6 to 7 is High, 8 to 10 is Very High, and 11 or above is Extreme. The reading comes from Open-Meteo and accounts for cloud cover. It falls to 0 after dark.
What do the forecast icons mean?
The popover has a weather key: click the list button beside the city name. It lists every icon with its condition, and explains the six colours. Colour tells you the kind of weather and the icon tells you the detail; neither means how heavy it is.
Support & Resources
Support
Setup help, troubleshooting, and answers to common questions about Vanecast.
Privacy Policy
Read the full policy on what data Vanecast does and doesn't collect.
Contact
Questions, feedback, or press? Reach the Side Channel Studios team.
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