Powered by advanced AI, microscale forecasting delivers hyper-local, high-definition weather intelligence that outperforms legacy forecast models.

 

ATLANTA — November 10, 2026 — The Weather Company, the world’s leading weather provider, today announced a new microscale forecast capability called “Proximity™,” a groundbreaking scientific innovation designed to vastly improve forecast precision. Built on cutting-edge AI neural networks and machine learning, Proximity refines atmospheric modeling to capture highly localized shifts in temperature, wind and precipitation type, even across complex terrain.

GIF image showing the difference between high and low resolution weather forecasting

This comparison shows a standard, ~3-kilometer weather model (left) next to Proximity™ from The Weather Company (right) over complex mountain terrain.

An AI-powered microscale forecast that  renders down to about 300 feet (90 meters), Proximity delivers more refined, localized weather intelligence than leading public models. Internal testing shows that the microscale forecast capability delivers more accurate wind speed, temperature, and localized conditions, giving users more precise, actionable intelligence.

“Precision is everything in weather. Whether you are managing an energy grid during a cold snap or deciding where to hike, a standard 3-to-4-kilometer forecast model misses crucial localized variations,” said Joe Koval, meteorologist on the consumer science team at The Weather Company. “With Proximity, our proprietary neural network sees into the microclimates of valleys, mountain peaks and coastlines. We are setting a new standard for forecast resolution that empowers everyday users and critical industries to make smarter, safer and more confident decisions.”

Microscale Forecasting in Action Across Consumer Experiences

Proximity is rolling out across consumer properties starting this fall:

  • Weather Underground Wundermap (Now live on web): Marking the debut of the microscale forecast layer, Weather Underground premium subscribers can experience Proximity as a visually stunning, ultra-high-resolution 2D map visualization. Inspect localized temperature, wind and dewpoint fields resolved down to 300 feet (90 meters) — perfect for weather enthusiasts monitoring microclimates and planning outdoor activities.
  • Peak Ready App (Launching soon): Proximity will soon be seen in The Weather Company’s brand-new mountain sports app, Peak Ready powered by The Weather Channel. Skiers and snowboarders will receive dedicated, elevation-specific forecasts for the bottom, middle, and summit of mountains — where winds, temperatures and precipitation type can vary starkly over just a few hundred feet.
  • Storm Radar (Coming soon): Proximity will bring microscale precision to the storm tracking app with new, premium map layers to help weather enthusiasts navigate conditions with greater confidence.

Real-World Impact: From Consumer Microclimates to Enterprise Operations

Beyond consumer applications, Proximity APIs are available to help provide a transformative advantage for commercial and industrial enterprise solutions. The scientific advancement of Proximity’s microscale forecasting solves long-standing challenges posed by broad, coarse-grid weather models across both everyday activities and commercial operations:

  • Agriculture & Gardening: Legacy models often fail to capture cool air sinking into low-lying areas on spring and fall nights. Microscale forecasting precisely defines localized cold air pooling in valleys, allowing gardeners, farmers and commercial growers to receive more accurate frost alerts to protect their vegetation.
  • Outdoor Recreation & Precision Sports: In areas like the White Mountains of New Hampshire, broad forecasts blur the line between valley campsites and above-treeline ridges. Microscale forecasting distinguishes the intense 50 mph winds on mountain tops from calm campsite conditions, while at coastal venues like Pebble Beach, it details fine-scale wind streams to give athletes exact vectors on wind influence. 
  • Energy & Utilities: High-frequency API data feeds and geospatial layers could help deliver high-precision wind and temperature predictions, enabling grid operators to better utilize dynamic line rating to safely maximize capacity based on cooling winds and anticipate targeted icing risks on transmission lines.
  • Transportation & Logistics: Precise micro-forecasts for critical ground transit passes and maritime shipping ports could help prevent transit delays and optimize route safety during extreme weather events.

For details on Proximity, visit weathercompany.com/microscale-weather-forecasting.

 

About The Weather Company
The Weather Company helps people and businesses around the world make more informed decisions and take action, whatever the weather. With its deep meteorological expertise and high-volume weather data combined with advanced AI technology, The Weather Company provides insights and solutions that harness the power of weather in a scalable, privacy-forward way. We’re trusted by hundreds of millions of monthly active users across digital properties such as The Weather Channel (weather.com) and Weather Underground (wunderground.com). Visit weathercompany.com.