Largest, Most Comprehensive Forecast Study Confirms AccuWeather's Superior Accuracy with #1 Ranking

Severe weather kills approximately a half a million people globally each year and leaves tens of millions of people injured. The nation's fourth largest city and many nearby communities just experienced what AccuWeather was the first to call the costliest weather disaster in U.S. history with Hurricane Harvey, estimating the toll on the GDP in excess of $190 billion.  Having the most accurate forecasts and warnings available and further ahead than any other source is critical for evacuation planning and survival in the event of a natural weather disaster. To stay on top of the latest news and information regarding severe weather updates this hurricane season or to donate to numerous non-profit organizations providing critical aid to hurricane victims, visit AccuWeather.com or download the AccuWeather app.

Inclement weather interrupts business operations and causes a myriad of disruptions for people and businesses, including cancelled plans, interrupted travel, and costly shut downs.  According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association or NOAA, the U.S. has already experienced 10 natural weather disasters costing more than $1 billion in 2017 alone. The more accurate weather forecasts and warnings are, the more lives saved, and the more people and businesses can plan around the impacts of harsh weather on their lives and businesses.

"We are in the business of keeping people safe. These results are extremely gratifying to our creative, innovative and talented team who work diligently 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.  "This report reinforces the amazing work we do to keep people out of harm's way. This has been especially apparent this hurricane season, and we will continue to focus on providing and communicating the most accurate forecasts and warnings as well as their relevant impacts on lives and businesses as we always have."

This extremely detailed and thorough analysis of verification of weather forecasts confirms what other studies and statistics have shown -- that AccuWeather forecasts and warnings are the most accurate available to all. The verification statistics were focused on forecast factors of most value to users. 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, proving that AccuWeather is the clear leader.

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, reduced bodily harm and prevention of property losses. 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.  By combining the best forecast models available, the greatest amount of big data integrated with leading-edge predictive AI, the most advanced weather forecast engine, with the most talented and experienced operational forecast meteorologists working with research and development experts, AccuWeather has developed a unique approach to providing valued weather forecasts. 

Powered with the largest database of forecast models – including unique real-time datasets from around the world with exclusive observations, satellite, and radar platforms -- proprietary patented technology, and comprehensive validation results, AccuWeather's data exceeds its competitors', resulting in the best forecasts in each location.

AccuWeather's level of accuracy has only been honed and improved over the course of its 55-year history. And the company says having the most accurate weather forecasts is only part of its proven track record with many of its long-term clients, including 245 of the Fortune 500 companies and thousands of other businesses and government agencies globally.

Said Myers, "Key to people and businesses getting the most value from AccuWeather forecasts and warnings also comes from effectively communicating of the impact of weather events on peoples' lives – and that all begins with forecast accuracy."

View the full ForecastWatch report here.

Examples of AccuWeather Forecasts with Superior Accuracy

• August 18, 2017 – AccuWeather meteorologists first alerted members of U.S. Congress that Harvey would threaten the western or central Gulf Coast of the country, while the NHC made no mention of the impact to the U.S.  As the storm progressed, the threat of tremendous rain and catastrophic flooding in Texas was announced by AccuWeather days ahead and well before all other sources, providing valuable advance notice.  Impacts communicated included widespread power outages, damage to structures, trees, and infrastructure as well as hardships due to exposure, food and medicine spoilage, contamination of local water supplies, and critical and potential lengthy interruptions of basic needs. AccuWeather warned of a significant threat to lives and property.
• June 22, 2017 - A series of severe thunderstorms brought localized flooding, hail, and wind damage around the Berlin, Germany.  AccuWeather.com meteorologists issued impact-driven, detailed forecasts warning the public of the coming conditions - other forecasting companies did not provide the same level of impact detail.   
• June 7, 2017 – Northern Chile experienced heavy rain. AccuWeather meteorologists recognized the significance of the event and began to add flooding statements into local forecasts. Forecasts from other weather sites and the local meteorological service in Chile did not include the details necessary to help save lives and property like the forecasts issued by AccuWeather. 
• May 4, 2017 – In Garden City, SC, AccuWeather provided warnings 35-minutes in advance of damaging winds and 17-minutes advance notice of the tornado. No warnings were issued by the National Weather Service.
• February 28, 2017 – A strong thunderstorm storm over the Mississippi River Valley produced large hail and tornadoes over an incredible 550-mile long path that involved four states. AccuWeather clients BNSF, Illinois Central Railway, and Toyota had lead time between 15-25 minutes greater than those relying on government warnings.

AccuWeather's dedication to the science of meteorology has brought numerous innovations to improve peoples' lives. Unique innovations include patented AccuWeather MinuteCast®, the only global minute-by-minute forecast that predicts start and end times for precipitation for the next two hours specific to a user's exact street address or GPS location. AccuWeather also introduced patented forecasts to meet the needs of its growing global audience including the AccuWeather MinuteCast Along-a-Route, the day-by-day 90-Day Forecast, and RealFeel Temperature® along with dozens of unique lifestyle and health forecasts and is relied upon by nearly 2 billion people per day worldwide in more than 100 languages and dialects.

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. AccuWeather Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics services use historical client data and AccuWeather historical weather data with Superior Accuracy via AccuWeather's proprietary models to make predictions based on what the client wants to know to boost sales and/or improve efficiency.

Visit www.AccuWeather.com for additional information.

About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com

Nearly 2 billion people worldwide rely on AccuWeather to help them plan their lives, protect their businesses, and get more from their day. AccuWeather provides hour-by-hour and minute-by-minute forecasts with Superior Accuracy™ with customized content and engaging video presentations available through smart phones, tablets, free wired and mobile Internet sites via AccuWeather.com, award-winning AccuWeather apps, connected TVs, wearables, smart homes, and connected cars, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the AccuWeather Network cable channel. Established in 1962 by Founder, Chairman, and President Dr. Joel N. Myers - a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society who was recognized as one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur Magazine's Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs book - AccuWeather also delivers a wide range of highly customized enterprise solutions to media, business, government, and institutions, as well as weather news, content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites. AccuWeather's CEO, Barry Lee Myers, is an award winning leader in global weather information issues and one of the world's most recognized advocates for cooperative relationships between government weather agencies and the weather industry. He is a leader in the digital weather information space.

For more information contact:
Justin Roberti / 814.235.8756 / [email protected]
AccuWeather

Jamie Maralla / 973.588.2320 / [email protected]
Coyne Public Relations

SOURCE AccuWeather

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