Superior Forecast Accuracy

Over the past few weeks, we have all watched with trepidation the major weather events and natural disasters impacting the U.S. and other countries, and our wishes for safety and quick recovery go out to all who have been directly or indirectly impacted. 

Our long-term partner, AccuWeather, Inc., ─ supplier of the average temperature data that’s imported into EnergyCAP daily ─ has been providing customized daily and life-saving severe weather forecasts for 55 years, and this week, we congratulate AccuWeather for a great accomplishment. In the most comprehensive study ever undertaken of forecast accuracy, AccuWeather was overwhelmingly confirmed as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the U.S. and around the world. The independent analysis of 30 million weather forecasts by industry tracker ForecastWatch concluded that AccuWeather had the highest level of forecast accuracy in forecasts of temperature, precipitation, wind, and overall.

Severe weather kills approximately a half a million people globally each year and leaves tens of millions of people injured. Inclement weather interrupts business operations and causes a myriad of disruptions for people and businesses, including cancelled plans, interrupted travel, and costly shut downs. The more accurate weather forecasts and warnings are, the more lives saved, the fewer people are injured, and the more people and businesses can plan around the impacts of harsh weather. ForecastWatch’s extremely detailed and thorough analysis of verification of weather forecasts confirms what other studies and statistics have also shown — that AccuWeather forecasts and warnings are the most accurate available.

“These results are extremely gratifying to our creative, entrepreneurial, and diligent people who work hard every day to provide the most accurate, impactful, and useful forecasts to people in the United States and around the world,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder, President and Chairman of AccuWeather. “Of course, we are thrilled with this report, as it reinforces the amazing work we do to keep people out of harm’s way.”

The verification statistics were focused on forecast factors valued most by recipients. Data for the analyses was gathered from 1,145 locations in the U.S. and other parts of the world over a 12-month period in calendar year 2016. More than 30 million one-day to five-day forecasts were obtained and analyzed from six weather providers, comparing temperature, precipitation and wind-speed forecasts.

AccuWeather’s Vice President of Innovation and Development Jonathan Porter says the findings detailed in this independent report are proof of AccuWeather’s accuracy and ongoing commitment to advancing the science and business of meteorology, which are yielding substantial benefits to people and businesses.

“Accuracy plus weather is our name,” said Porter. “Our company is solely focused on Superior Accuracy and has been employing AI and data science for decades to protect lives and property, reduce risk, and help people and businesses get more out of each day. Having the most accurate forecasts and warnings means more lives saved and property losses prevented. For business, it means reduced risk and liability. It’s rewarding to have an independent source back up our claims.”

According to Myers, AccuWeather’s success is attributable to what he describes as the “human-machine mix,” utilizing and integrating the very best scientific tools, most complete and accurate data and models and the most talented team of forecast meteorologists on the planet. 

AccuWeather empowers government agencies and enterprises in industries such as manufacturing, retail, finance, banking, energy, utilities and healthcare to leverage the power of weather and their own data to protect people, property and profits and helps to reduce risk and liability. If your organization relies on or could benefit from accurate short- or long-term weather forecasts or severe weather warning services, we encourage you check out www.AccuWeather.com, our partner and the best in the business.