Tesla's Holiday Update: Exciting New Weather Features Unveiled

Jan 62 min read

Tesla has rolled out its 2024 Holiday Update, introducing two significant weather features: Weather at Destination and Weather Radar Overlay. These enhancements build on the previous weather functionalities, providing Tesla drivers with more comprehensive weather information while on the road.

Key Takeaways

Weather at Destination: Displays expected weather conditions at your destination, factoring in travel and charge times.
Weather Radar Overlay: Offers real-time radar data for precipitation, enhancing navigation safety.
Voice Command Integration: New voice commands allow users to easily access weather information.
Premium Connectivity Requirement: Access to these features requires a Premium Connectivity subscription.

Weather At Destination

The Weather at Destination feature is designed to keep drivers informed about the weather conditions they can expect upon arrival. When navigating to a destination, the expected weather will be displayed alongside the arrival time. Users can tap on this information to view a detailed weather pop-up, which includes:

Hourly forecasts
Precipitation chances
UV index
Air Quality Index

This feature is particularly useful for long trips, as it considers both travel and charging times to provide an accurate weather forecast for the expected arrival time. If the weather at the destination is significantly different from the current conditions, a notification will briefly appear above the estimated time of arrival (ETA).

Weather Radar Overlay

The Weather Radar Overlay is another exciting addition, allowing drivers to visualize precipitation patterns in real-time. Users can access this feature by tapping the map and selecting the weather icon. Key functionalities include:

Animated radar data from the last three hours
Ability to pause the animation for closer inspection
Scrolling capability to view weather conditions in different areas

While this feature is operational while driving, it may require careful attention to avoid distractions from navigation prompts. Additionally, Points of Interest (POIs) will be hidden when the weather overlay is active, except for charging stations.

Voice Command Integration

Tesla has also enhanced its voice command capabilities. Drivers can now simply ask, "What’s the weather?" to bring up the weather pop-up, making it easier to access vital information without taking their hands off the wheel or eyes off the road.

Requirements And Compatibility

To utilize the new weather features, drivers must have a Premium Connectivity subscription. It's important to note that simply being connected to WiFi or a hotspot will not suffice. The weather data, including radar information, is sourced from The Weather Channel.

Supported models for the Weather and Weather at Destination features include all Tesla vehicles, except for the 2012-2020 Model S and Model X. However, the Weather Radar Overlay requires the newer AMD Ryzen-powered infotainment systems found in 2021 and later Model S and Model X, as well as recent Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

Conclusion

Tesla's 2024 Holiday Update brings significant advancements in weather-related features, enhancing the driving experience with real-time information and improved safety. With the integration of Weather at Destination and Weather Radar Overlay, Tesla continues to lead the way in innovative automotive technology, ensuring that drivers are well-informed and prepared for their journeys ahead.