> How the AccuWeather weather widget works, which cookies and data it sends to the US, why consent is needed and how to comply with GDPR and ePrivacy in the EU. > > Canonical: https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/accuweather Other # AccuWeather Unclassified · [Official website](https://partners.accuweather.com) AccuWeather is a US based weather information provider whose widgets and API are embedded on countless news sites, tourism portals, e commerce stores and outdoor activity platforms across Europe. The embedded widget loads JavaScript from oap.accuweather.com, transmits the visitor IP address to AccuWeather, Inc. servers in the United States and may request precise geolocation. Because of these flows it qualifies as a non strictly necessary third party tag requiring consent in the EU. [Block AccuWeather until consent](https://app.flowconsent.com/auth/sign-up?utm_source=flowconsent.com\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=other) · [Scan my site](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/scan) At a glance - Category [Other](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other) - Consent Unclassified - Prior consent Required - Documented cookies 6 - Third-party domains 6 - Servers United States (AccuWeather, Inc., State College, Pennsylvania) with global CDN delivery and regional caches Overview ## What does AccuWeather do? ## **What is AccuWeather** AccuWeather is a global weather information provider headquartered in State College, Pennsylvania. It offers consumer apps for iOS and Android, an embeddable widget for websites and a developer REST API for businesses that want to integrate weather forecasts in their own products. The web widget is widely used by tourism portals, real estate sites, e commerce stores selling outdoor gear, news media and local government websites. The MinuteCast minute by minute forecast and the air quality data are the two most distinctive features. ## **What data and cookies AccuWeather collects** The embedded widget transmits the visitor IP address, User Agent, referrer, page URL and approximate location (IP based) to AccuWeather servers. It may request precise geolocation via the browser API to deliver hyperlocal forecasts. AccuWeather sets cookies such as awxlocation, awxbidcookie and several advertising related cookies (when ads are enabled on the widget) including those of its advertising partners (Google, Magnite, OpenX). The mobile SDK previously shared precise location with multiple data brokers; AccuWeather has since refined those practices but caution is warranted. ## **GDPR and ePrivacy implications** The widget is a third party tag that loads automatically and sets cookies before any user action, which puts it under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive. The IP address transfer to the US triggers Chapter V GDPR. The free advertising supported version of the widget pulls in advertising cookies that have their own consent obligations. The paid white label version is cleaner because it does not include ad partners but still ships the location and IP transfer. ## **Is consent required** Yes. The widget must be gated behind a consent banner under the Functional or Marketing category. The precise geolocation prompt that the widget may issue is also subject to the user explicit permission via the browser. If you use the server side API only and render weather server side, no consent is needed because no third party request is made from the browser. ## **Data transfers to the United States** AccuWeather, Inc. is a US company. AccuWeather is currently listed under the EU US Data Privacy Framework, which provides an adequacy decision for transfers to certified entities. The privacy notice for the widget should reference the DPF and the SCC fallback present in the standard AccuWeather terms. ## **Practical compliance steps** Gate the AccuWeather widget behind your consent manager, prefer the paid ad free white label widget where possible, route the precise geolocation prompt through your own UI to keep control, or switch to a server side integration that renders the weather data without the widget script. List AccuWeather, Inc. in the privacy policy with the transfer mechanism. Consider EU alternatives like OpenWeather (UK), Météo France API, MeteoStat or Visual Crossing for less aggressive data flows. Compliance ## AccuWeather and the GDPR AccuWeather is classified as “Unclassified”. On a site that targets European visitors, it must only load after the visitor consents, and it must be listed in your cookie policy. - Legal basis Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Art. 5(3) ePrivacy Directive) because the widget loads a third party resource that reads device location and sets cookies before any user interaction - Risk level medium - Applicable regulations GDPR, ePrivacy Directive, TTDSG, LIL ### Impact assessment (DPIA) A DPIA is rarely justified by AccuWeather alone but should be considered if the site combines the widget with personalised advertising, precise geolocation prompts or behavioural targeting. Document the integration in the Article 30 record, the US transfer mechanism and the categories of data sent to AccuWeather. ### Sample text for your banner > We display weather information from AccuWeather. Loading the widget sends your IP address and approximate location to AccuWeather, Inc. in the United States and may set cookies. Do you accept? Cookies and trackers ## What AccuWeather sets and contacts - Tracking method Embeddable weather widget served via iframe or JavaScript snippet from oap.accuweather.com / widgets.accuweather.com; REST API (developer.accuweather.com) for server side integrations; AccuWeather mobile SDKs - Server location United States (AccuWeather, Inc., State College, Pennsylvania) with global CDN delivery and regional caches - Data transferred outside the EU When the widget loads, the visitor IP address, approximate location, page URL and device data are transmitted to AccuWeather servers in the United States. AccuWeather has been criticised in the past for sharing precise location data with third party data brokers in its iOS app; the web widget is less aggressive but still triggers US transfers. AccuWeather is certified under the EU US Data Privacy Framework and signs SCCs through its standard terms. ### Cookies set (6) | Name | Type | Duration | Purpose | | ------------ | ----------- | --------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | awxlocation | third party | 1 year | Stores the user's selected location for the AccuWeather widget so the same forecast is shown on next visit. | | awxbidcookie | third party | 1 year | Used by AccuWeather to enable header bidding when the ad supported widget variant is enabled. | | awxlocations | third party | 1 year | Stores the user's favourite locations across visits for the AccuWeather widget personalisation. | | IDE | third party | 13 months | Google DoubleClick cookie set by the ad supported AccuWeather widget for ad measurement. | | uid | third party | 1 year | Magnite (Rubicon Project) cookie set by the ad supported widget for programmatic advertising. | | \_ga | third party | 2 years | Google Analytics cookie set on accuweather.com to measure usage of the AccuWeather web properties. | ### Third-party domains contacted (6) - `oap.accuweather.com` - `widgets.accuweather.com` - `api.accuweather.com` - `developer.accuweather.com` - `accuweather.com` - `awxcdn.com` Questions ## Frequently asked questions about AccuWeather Can't find your question? Write to us, we answer fast. [Write to us](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/demo) ### What cookies does the AccuWeather widget set? It sets cookies such as awxlocation, awxbidcookie, awxlocations and, when the ad supported variant is used, third party advertising cookies from Google, Magnite, OpenX and others. None are strictly necessary for the visitor to access the host page. ### Do I need consent for the AccuWeather widget? Yes. The widget loads scripts and sets cookies before the user interacts; consent is required under Article 5(3) of the ePrivacy Directive. If you use the geolocation prompt, the user must also accept the browser permission. ### What is the legal basis for AccuWeather? Consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and Art. 5(3) ePrivacy). For purely server side use of the API, you can rely on legitimate interest under Article 6(1)(f) since no third party tag is exposed to the visitor. ### Are data transferred to the United States? Yes. AccuWeather, Inc. is a US company and processes the IP address and the location data on US infrastructure. The EU US Data Privacy Framework certification covers the transfer. ### Do I need a DPIA for the AccuWeather widget? Not on its own. When combined with personalised advertising, precise location based offers or large scale profiling, a DPIA is justified. Always document the integration in the Article 30 record. ### How do I implement the AccuWeather widget compliantly? Gate it behind a consent banner, choose the white label paid widget without advertising, render weather server side through the API where possible, manage the geolocation prompt yourself, and list AccuWeather, Inc. with the EU US Data Privacy Framework in the privacy policy. ### What are the alternatives to AccuWeather? OpenWeather (UK), Météo France API, Meteomatics (Switzerland), DWD OpenData (Germany), MeteoStat, Visual Crossing, Tomorrow\.io, and EU government open data services. Many can be queried server side without exposing visitors to a third party tag. ### How should I describe AccuWeather in the cookie policy? Add an entry under Functional or Marketing: provider (AccuWeather, Inc., USA), domains (oap.accuweather.com, widgets.accuweather.com, api.accuweather.com), cookies (awxlocation, awxbidcookie, advertising cookies if applicable), purpose (display weather) and transfer mechanism (Data Privacy Framework and SCCs). Same category ## More services: Other [See the whole category](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other) ### [Classeh](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/classeh) [Classeh is a foundational web service that powers critical website functions and digital experiences. It provides reliable infrastructure, seamless integration capabilities, and consistent performance across all devices and browsers. Classeh supports modern development practices and scales with growing business needs. With a focus on stability and compatibility, Classeh ensures your website delivers a smooth, uninterrupted experience to every visitor and search engine crawler.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/classeh) [Other](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/classeh) · ### [Theasys](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/theasys) [Theasys is a web technology service that provides essential functionality for websites and digital platforms. It delivers core capabilities that support site operations, content delivery, and user experience optimization. Theasys integrates seamlessly with modern web architectures, ensuring reliable performance and compatibility across browsers and devices. Trusted by businesses worldwide, Theasys helps organizations maintain robust websites that meet user expectations and technical requirements.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/theasys) [Other](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/theasys) · ### [ShionImporter](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/shionimporter) [ShionImporter is a web technology service that provides essential functionality for websites and digital platforms. It delivers core capabilities that support site operations, content delivery, and user experience optimization. ShionImporter integrates seamlessly with modern web architectures, ensuring reliable performance and compatibility across browsers and devices. Trusted by businesses worldwide, ShionImporter helps organizations maintain robust websites that meet user expectations and technical requirements.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/shionimporter) [Preferences](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/shionimporter) · ### [Handtalk](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/handtalk) [Handtalk is a foundational web service that powers critical website functions and digital experiences. It provides reliable infrastructure, seamless integration capabilities, and consistent performance across all devices and browsers. Handtalk supports modern development practices and scales with growing business needs. With a focus on stability and compatibility, Handtalk ensures your website delivers a smooth, uninterrupted experience to every visitor and search engine crawler.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/handtalk) [Other](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/handtalk) · ### [Comeet](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/comeet) [Comeet is a web technology service that provides essential functionality for websites and digital platforms. It delivers core capabilities that support site operations, content delivery, and user experience optimization. Comeet integrates seamlessly with modern web architectures, ensuring reliable performance and compatibility across browsers and devices. Trusted by businesses worldwide, Comeet helps organizations maintain robust websites that meet user expectations and technical requirements.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/comeet) [Preferences](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/comeet) · ### [Jobylon](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/jobylon) [Jobylon is a foundational web service that powers critical website functions and digital experiences. It provides reliable infrastructure, seamless integration capabilities, and consistent performance across all devices and browsers. Jobylon supports modern development practices and scales with growing business needs. With a focus on stability and compatibility, Jobylon ensures your website delivers a smooth, uninterrupted experience to every visitor and search engine crawler.](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/jobylon) [Preferences](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/services/other/jobylon) ## Make your site compliant today. Free up to 25,000 sessions a month. No credit card, no commitment. [Create my banner](https://app.flowconsent.com/auth/sign-up?utm_source=flowconsent.com\&utm_medium=referral\&utm_campaign=general) · [Scan my site](https://www.flowconsent.com/en/scan)