Unlocking Precision Forecasts: Top Three Considerations for Selecting a Weather Provider

Weather forecasts are critical for businesses and organizations worldwide. Some are obvious, like agriculture, utilities, logistics, and construction, where work is primarily outdoors, and weather impacts are a factor in daily operations.

Others may be less obvious but are still dependent on highly accurate weather forecasts: insurance companies, retailers, entertainment venues, and supply chain distribution centers. Each can experience significant disruptions due to high-impact weather events.

“A more sophisticated approach blends the world’s best models, meteorologists, and most advanced technology…”

Weather forecasting has witnessed continuous improvement for several decades. Advances in technology, data availability, and more sophisticated weather models have pushed insights further.

However, these advances have not reached their peak. And make no mistake, all weather forecasting systems are not the same. The most advanced forecast providers are differentiated by their focus on three key factors: accuracy, technology, and reliability.

 

Accuracy

Forecast accuracy is incredibly important. When it’s time to finding a safe location, accuracy matters. The stakes are equally high for businesses with workers in the field or customers in their business. Understanding threats, when a storm will arrive, and precise areas affected are key pieces of information when needing to make the right decisions and reduce risk.

Too often when a forecast is inaccurate, the response is that while the information and data was correct, “the models were wrong.” But advanced forecast systems know to minimize obvious weather model errors.

Instead, a more sophisticated approach to accurate forecasting blends the world’s best models, educated and enabled scientists and meteorologists, and the most advanced technology, integrated into a forecast system designed to provide actionable insights.

 

Advanced technology

Weather, as an industry, has seen increased commercialization and innovation. Private weather forecasting companies are finding opportunities to provide more tailored forecasts for businesses to improve their operations.

And while free or publicly available weather information provides the basics, businesses want, need, and expect a system that brings together the best of the best.

“Satellites, ground-based sensors, and more distributed weather stations have contributed to increasing weather data, and driving greater forecasting localization.”

Advances in machine-learning and artificial intelligence (AI) are empowering weather forecast systems. These innovative technologies leverage vast amounts of data from more sources than ever before. Satellites, ground-based sensors, and more distributed weather stations have contributed to increasing weather data, which is driving greater forecasting localization.

The increase in data allows for more sophistication where powerful models simulate multiple complex interactions to forecast weather impacts more accurately. And when forecasts are more localized, they’re more useful.

 

Reliability

Reliability is equally important. Many businesses that rely on hyper-accurate forecasts are 24/7—and weather never stops. Having continuous and dependable weather information for all conditions requires reliability. Continuous monitoring of forecast systems as well as validation must be in place, along with support teams and weather risk communication experts to support the forecast system around the clock.

 

Conclusion

Make no mistake, not all weather forecast systems are the same. A combination of accurate and reliable forecast information using the most advanced technology available is essential. And highly accurate forecasts can lower risks and support the bottom line.

Learn more about the DTN Global Forecast Engine tools that deliver hyper-local, accurate forecasts to companies that include major U.S. sports leagues, global transportation leaders, and more.

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