# NewsChannel 3-12 FirstAlert WX

> Local weather forecasts, radar, and alerts for Santa Barbara and surrounding communities. (iPhone/iPad app by News-Press & Gazette Company.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newschannel-3-12-firstalert-wx/id1061191266 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [News-Press & Gazette Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/628538579)
- Category: Weather, News
- Price: Free
- Rating: 2.92/5 from 13 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 95 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2015-11-25
- Data updated: 2026-06-22
- Monetization: ad-supported
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newschannel-3-12-firstalert-wx/id1061191266/reviews.md

## What is NewsChannel 3?

KEYT First Alert Weather delivers complete weather information for Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and surrounding communitues. The weather team from KEYT NewsChannel 3 and KCOY Central Coast News keeps you informed on current conditions and provides constant updates with VIPIR Radar, forecasts, severe weather alerts, video and headlines.

## Key features

- Local weather information
- Current conditions
- Forecasts
- Severe weather alerts
- VIPIR Radar
- Video weather reports

## Recent user reviews (6 of 6)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/newschannel-3-12-firstalert-wx/id1061191266/reviews.md

### 3/5 — Hard read

*2025-06-29, version 6.9.1*

Caleb Nyguen article is hard to understand

### 1/5 — I finally just deleted it!

*2023-07-24, version 6.8.0*

Useless for my iPad, since it won’t used landscape. I kept checking after the last “upgrade” but after a year, I finally deleted the AP and will now just go to another AP. Very disappointed.

### 1/5 — Ridiculous update

*2022-05-11, version 6.7.2*

I do not like portrait displays. Especially when the orientation is such that my plugin is on the bottom when in use and plugged in. Makes it really convenient to use when plugged in, NOT. Are your programmers ergonomic idiots?

### 1/5 — What happened?  This app used to be good but now its not

*2022-05-09, version 6.7.2*

This used to be an beautifully designed and elegant looking weather app but now it looks like it was designed by a junior programmer on their first job. What happened?  The weather data might be correct but it looks like crap. And useless on an iPad because the screen doesn’t change to a landscape orientation

### 3/5 — Would be great without ads

*2016-01-01, version 3.9.1201*

The app is very useful, but I do not like the ads. I would be willing to pay a couple of dollars for an ad-free version.

### 5/5 — Loving it!

*2015-12-05, version 3.9.1201*

I love how I can customize my locations to reflect the weather everywhere I go, and how easily I can share screenshots of the interactive radar on Twitter and Facebook.

## Frequently asked questions about NewsChannel 3

### What is the short name for NewsChannel 3-12 FirstAlert WX?

The short name for NewsChannel 3-12 FirstAlert WX is FirstAlert WX. This is derived from the app's full name by removing the channel numbers and the parent company.

### What devices does FirstAlert WX support?

FirstAlert WX is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod. It is designed for iOS devices.

### How often is FirstAlert WX updated?

The latest version of FirstAlert WX is 7.1.0, last updated on March 25, 2026. While the last update date is in the future, the app is generally updated to provide the most current weather data and features.

### What is the age rating for FirstAlert WX?

FirstAlert WX has an age rating of 4+. This indicates it is suitable for children aged 4 and older.

### Does FirstAlert WX have ads?

Yes, FirstAlert WX contains advertisements. As it is a free application, ads are used to support its development and operation.

### What is the user rating for FirstAlert WX?

FirstAlert WX has a user rating of 2.9 stars based on 13 ratings. This suggests a mixed reception from users.

### What specific communities does FirstAlert WX cover?

FirstAlert WX provides weather information specifically for Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and their surrounding communities. It focuses on delivering hyper-local weather data for these areas.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 7.1.1 — 2026-06-16

Bug Fixes and other Enhancements

### 7.1.0 — 2026-03-25

Improved radar lapsing, updated alert management, and numerous quality of life improvements and bug fixes!

### 6.9.1 — 2025-02-03

Adding our livestream to the top of the app, an extended 48 hour forecast, 10 day forecast, and various other improvements throughout the app!

### 6.8.0 — 2022-09-20

Update to the mapping background in the radar tile and page to give it a new modern look. Boundaries, roads, cities display on top of radar data to make it easier to view your location on the map.
New look to the current conditions and forecast tile to make it more modern looking and easier for users to read weather data. Changes include a white background, colored icons, and larger text to make data easier to read.
Updated Current Conditions/Forecast Page. Updates include:
 -Page opens to the ‘Overview’ tab which gives current conditions, 3 hour hourly forecast, the 7 day daily forecast, and access to the radar page
 -The 'Currents' tab will give additional information on humidity percent, cloud cover, visibility, dew point, barometric pressure, and sunrise/sunset times.
 -The 'Hourly' tab will give detailed weather information for the next 24 hours on the forecasted weather condition, temperature, pop and wind speed and direction.
 -The 'Daily' tab will show the 7-day forecast in a manner that is much more similar to on-air 7-day forecasts with a detailed forecast for the next 7 days/nights below.

### 6.7.2 — 2022-04-21

Update to the mapping background in the radar tile and page to give it a new modern look. Boundaries, roads, cities display on top of radar data to make it easier to view your location on the map.

New look to the current conditions and forecast tile to make it more modern looking and easier for users to read weather data. Changes include a white background, colored icons, and larger text to make data easier to read.

Updated Current Conditions/Forecast Page. Updates include:
 -Page opens to the ‘Overview’ tab which gives current conditions, 3 hour hourly forecast, the 7 day daily forecast, and access to the radar page
 -The 'Currents' tab will give additional information on humidity percent, cloud cover, visibility, dew point, barometric pressure, and sunrise/sunset times.
 -The 'Hourly' tab will give detailed weather information for the next 24 hours on the forecasted weather condition, temperature, pop and wind speed and direction.
 -The 'Daily' tab will show the 7-day forecast in a manner that is much more similar to on-air 7-day forecasts with a detailed forecast for the next 7 days/nights below.

## Apps similar to NewsChannel 3

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [StormTrack 13](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stormtrack-13/id918668410) | 2.9 (22) | Free | Weather |
| [KXLY Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kxly-weather/id468215794) | 2.1 (40) | Free | Weather |
| [KTTC First Alert Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kttc-first-alert-weather/id582070088) | 4.7 (4,025) | Free | Weather |
| [KAKE First Alert Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kake-first-alert-weather/id1099197230) | 2.7 (109) | Free | Weather |
| [KBTX First Alert Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kbtx-first-alert-weather/id1380870461) | 4.7 (4,779) | Free | Weather |
| [KTIV First Alert Weather](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ktiv-first-alert-weather/id586686903) | 4.7 (8,437) | Free | Weather |

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- [KTVZ 21 Bend, Central OR News](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ktvz-21-bend-central-or-news/id386847580)
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- [St. Joseph News-Press NOW](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/st-joseph-news-press-now/id429393126)

All apps by News-Press & Gazette Company: https://appshunter.io/developer/628538579

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-22.*
