Privacy Policy
Last updated: June 2, 2026
WoolawayWx is operated by Cade Woolaway. This policy explains what we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have when using our website or installing WoolawayWx on your device. We separate functional data needed for weather and alerts from optional analytics that you can decline without losing core features.
Overview
We provide local weather forecasts and severe-weather information for the tri-state region around Joplin, MO. Most of the service runs in your web browser; you can also add WoolawayWx to your Home Screen as an installable app (sometimes called a PWA) for a more app-like experience.
Website and installed application
Website: When you visit woolawaywx.com in Safari, Chrome, or another browser, you get the full site including forecasts, alerts, and support pages.
Installed app: You can install WoolawayWx from your browser (for example, “Add to Home Screen” on iPhone or “Install app” on Chrome). This is the same website opened in standalone display mode — not a separate download from an app store. The installed version may show a simplified layout (such as bottom navigation), access to the alerts hub, and optional push notifications.
Features that depend on installation (especially push alerts on mobile) only work when you open WoolawayWx from your Home Screen icon, not from a normal browser tab.
Information we collect
Device features and location (required for PWA functionality)
To provide core features of the WoolawayWx installed app — such as localized weather alerts, forecast and radar data for your area, and push notifications — the app needs access to your device’s location services and notification permissions when you choose to enable alerts. If you deny location or notifications, those parts of the installed app will not work as intended (for example, we cannot show your local conditions or deliver push alerts).
Location used for weather is sent only as coordinates to our weather APIs to fetch forecasts and alerts. It is not sold and is not used to track you across other websites. On the public website, location is optional for the alert banner and forecasts until you turn it on.
Push notifications and subscriptions
When you enable alerts in the installed app, your browser generates a unique push subscription token. Our servers store this token solely to route severe weather alerts you requested to your device. This token is strictly operational and is not used for cross-site tracking or advertising.
You can turn notifications off in the app, on the Alerts page, or in your device settings.
Essential cookies and storage
We use cookies and browser storage needed to run the site — for example, remembering your cookie choices, admin sign-in sessions, dismissing install prompts, and storing preferences on your device (such as wx_location_* for location consent, woolawaywx_push_* for alert preferences).
Usage analytics (optional)
We use Google Analytics 4 only if you accept the google-analytics cookie in our cookie banner. This helps us understand aggregate usage patterns (such as page views, general device type, and whether the site was opened in a browser or as an installed app). This is completely separate from the app’s weather, location, and notification features.
You can decline analytics in the cookie banner and still use location, forecasts, and push alerts. Analytics run only in production and only after you opt in. We do not send analytics from local development builds.
How we use information
We use functional data to deliver weather content, localized alerts, and push notifications you request. We use analytics data only if you opt in, to improve the site in aggregate. We do not sell your personal information and we do not require analytics consent to use location or notifications.
Third-party services
- Google Analytics (optional, if you accept the analytics cookie)
- Weather data providers (e.g. Open-Meteo and WoolawayWx API services) to fetch forecasts for coordinates you request
- YouTube when embedded videos appear on the site
- Cloudflare — hosts and protects the public website (front end, CDN, and related edge delivery)
- Oracle — hosts the WoolawayWx API and databases used for forecasts, alerts, and other server-side features
Those services have their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review them if you use features that rely on them.
Cookies and your choices
When you first visit in a browser (outside the installed app shell), you may see a cookie banner. You can accept all cookies, decline optional cookies, or customize which categories you allow. You can change your mind later using the cookie control button on the site.
Optional analytics cookies are off until you enable them. Essential cookies are required for basic functionality such as remembering your preferences. Declining analytics does not block location, forecasts, or push notifications — those are controlled separately through your browser and in-app choices.
Data retention
Browser storage on your device persists until you clear it or withdraw consent. Push subscriptions remain active until you unsubscribe or remove the app. Analytics data is retained according to Google’s policies for Google Analytics.
Children
WoolawayWx is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children.
Contact
Questions about this policy? Reach out via our contact page or email contact@woolawaywx.com .
Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top shows when it was last revised. Continued use of WoolawayWx after changes means you accept the updated policy.