WeatherPlus redesign matches current conditions

WeatherPlus.com, the online home of NBC’s cable weather channel, has unveiled a new look that features a dynamic background that matches a city’s current conditions.

For example, in the screen shot above, Los Angeles is currently experiencing haze, so the background image behind the header features a graphical representation of that weather. Meanwhile, Orlando, Fla., is experiencing rain, so its background looks like this:

This is a great example of how graphic design, combined with advanced Web technologies can create both visual interest and provide useful information to users. Plus, it helps keep the site looking fresh while still maintaining a consistent look.

A major theme of the new design seems to be a strategy of providing visually-interesting and efficient ways to present information. Overall, the site has very little text and even video is downplayed in many areas, with the focus being on charts and infographics.

Elsewhere on the page, a bold blue navigation bar gives access to major areas of the site. Hovering over these links displays drop-down menus that, with the rather odd selection of a dashed line outline, makes them look like coupons.

Throughout the site, information and weather data is organized into boxed modules that feature dark blue headers that also include a subtle glow effect. Many of the site’s features are accessible using dynamic Web technologies, allowing new information to be displayed without causing a page refresh. This is a data-lover’s dream — and allows any user to customize the data he or she is seeing in a variety of ways.

The new site also boasts a variety of Flash-based charts and graphics, which include simple animations for visual interest as well as being an effective way to display information such as sunrise times and temperature ranges.

Though plans have not been finalized, WeatherPlus.com’s parent company, NBC Universal, has recently enterted into an agreement to buy the Weather Channel, which includes the venerable Weather.com domain. It’s not clear how that site will, if at all, fit into WeatherPlus.com.