Easter Weather: Here are the tools you need – from radar to widget

There's something special about spring, isn't there? One day it's glorious sunshine and birdsong, the next it's sleet and winds that find their way into every nook and cranny. Right now, the weather really is the focus of every conversation – at the breakfast table, on the bus, and in the office. And with Easter just around the corner, plenty of us are trying to figure out whether to risk planning that outdoor trip or if it's safer to just dig out the winter coat again.

For those of us who like to stay on top of things in real-time, there's a wealth of tools available these days. Personally, I'm a firm believer in checking the main forecasts – a good forecast has saved many a picnic from being ruined. But I always back it up with a weather radar. A good weather radar app is a favourite on my phone, letting you see in detail exactly where that rain front is right now. Perfect for when you're wondering if you'll make it home before the downpour.

Here are my top three tips for always being in the know:

• Trusted Forecasts: Best for long-range predictions and holiday planning.
• Weather Radar: Perfect for seeing exactly where the rain is, live.
• Weather & Clock Widget: The quickest overview, right on your home screen.

Another smart bit of kit is a Weather & Clock Widget on your home screen. That way, you see both the time and the temperature as soon as you unlock your phone. And because we Irish are always keeping an eye on the weather across the water – especially before a trip to the UK or a walk in the mountains – I often check the forecast for those areas too. Weather systems don't stop at borders, and a depression forming out in the Atlantic can quickly have an impact on us here at home.

This unsettled spring weather affects us more than you might think. Not just our moods, but also our wallets. It's a reminder of how much we're all influenced by the elements.

And it's certainly noticeable how the weather leaves its mark on sport. Just at the weekend, we saw incredible performances in challenging conditions – from cycling classics battered by crosswinds to GAA matches played in a mix of hail and sunshine. To perform at your best when the conditions change from minute to minute, that's true championship class. It's a reminder of how much we're all at the mercy of the elements.

So whether you're planning a trip to the mountains, an Easter egg hunt in the garden, or just want to know if you should cycle or take the car to work: keep an eye on the weather. Set up a widget, bookmark your favourite forecast site, and download a weather radar app. Because the only sure thing right now is that nothing is certain – except that we Irish will always have the weather to talk about.