CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- One way many Chicagoans are getting through this frigid weather is an app with outrageous forecasts.
It's called What The Forecast and describes the weather frequently in vulgar terms.
Developer Billy King said the swearing or non-swearing versions of the free app have been downloaded 7 million times, including about 100,000 in the last week or so.
The former Coast Guard Officer turned app developer, who lives on the East Coast, said the app's popularity is rooted in something simple - laughter.
"At the end of the day I think people just want to laugh, people need to laugh," King said.
The app has approximately 9,000 unique phrases total, with different phrases describing different weather types. Though some contain expletives, others are just comical, like "this is the perfect night for dogs to stay inside and poop on the carpet."
King doesn't have data about where users are located, but said his mailbox is full of suggestions for new phrases to use - including many for the Midwest. He said he plans to add some of the new phrases during the next update over the weekend.
King said he would describe Chicago's current weather as "cold like your ex's black heart" or "cold like ex-mother-in-law's hug".