Whether you are getting ready to go to the beach, or the mountains, or on vacation to a locale you are not familiar with, being able to track the weather is important... and fun!

Even if you're not going anywhere... we all like to know what the weather is going to be like wherever we are. Right?

But who has the time to log on to the Internet and then bounce around from site to site trying to find the weather information that you need?

Sometimes it's not so much a matter of time as just not wanting to do it. That's usually what the case is for me, I simply don't want to spend the time and energy looking online for a website that has the weather information I'm looking for.

So what are the options when you want to find updated weather information in a hurry, without all the fuss and muss? Fortunately there are a few nifty little weather tools that you can download to your computer that will help you to keep track of the weather -- any time, any place.

You can even download them to your laptop to take along with you on the road!

I saw a report a week or so ago on ABC News about weather insurance.

Sometimes it's referred to as vacation insurance or travel insurance.

Several online companies are offering what they call "vacation insurance," deals in which they will reimburse any parts of a vacation that are ruined.  "We will cover them if their vacation is rained out," Jeff Boyd, CEO of Priceline.com, told Good Morning America.  -- ABC News

These days, more and more companies and services are providing weather insurance to protect you from things like rain delays at sporting events and concerts, as well. And companies are even offering weather insurance for those times when a complete change of plans are required (due to the weather) at your own outdoor events, including weddings.

Here's more about weather insurance...

I think this is a great idea... especially in this day and age, where people are using cell phones like crazy. I mean, it's hard to find anyone who's not carrying a cell phone these days. Even kids carry cell phones everywhere they go!

So, for me, there is a small feeling of relief knowing that the FCC will soon be broadcasting emergency warnings on our cellphones.

The plan stems from the Warning Alert and Response Network Act, a 2006 federal law that requires upgrades to the emergency alert system. The act requires the Federal Communications Commission to develop ways to alert the public about emergencies. Source

When an ice cube melts in Greenland, it's the lead story on the evening news because it was caused by human-induced global warming. When a polar bear hibernates 50 yards farther north than last year, we're told by news commentators it is because not enough people have purchased hybrid vehicles. When a tornado hits the deep south in February, certain scientists tell us on cable tv it is because the United States did not ratify the Kyoto Protocol. But when a large group of internationally acclaimed scientists get together to discuss the shortcomings of the IPCC's report on climate change, they are absolutely ignored by the national media.

Weather radar can be a complicated thing to understand. But there are many great websites where you can learn about severe weather and track storms right along with the professional meteorologists on television.

While I don't recommend trying to out-guess the National Weather Service on where a storm might be headed, understanding a little bit about the radar and tracking storms on your home computer can help give you additional lead-time to prepare for approaching severe weather!

Are you looking for a website where you can get a weather forecast, historical weather data, or just general weather information for your hometown? Or maybe you're going on a trip and need to know what to pack.

Here's a list of some of my favorite websites for weather information.

It's my formula and I'm sticking to it. This year's Super Bowl will be a high scoring affair. It will be a shootout between Tom Brady and Eli Manning. In the end, though, it'll all come down to pressure. High pressure. Remember, my prediction is for entertainment purposes only. Please, no wagering.

It's one of the most hotly debated topics of our time. I recently heard two of the world's most respected weather experts go head to head on something they don't see eye to eye on. Excerpts of the debate are now available online!

I just heard my friends at Good Morning America say, "It's 4 below zero outside ... with the wind chill."

We've heard about the Wind Chill Factor since we were kids, but what exactly is it? Here's a look at the new and improved wind chill chart and formula.

The Super Bowl teams are now set. It's still too early to give you the final "line" on the game, but I'll give you my early line on the game.

Remember, this highly scientific prognostication is for entertainment purposes only. Please, no wagering.