Weather forecasts shape critical decisions daily. From planning your morning commute to optimizing global supply chains — forecast accuracy isn’t just preferred, it’s essential.

But what does better accuracy actually mean for those who depend on it? Let’s look at the real-world impact across industries and why The Weather Company continues to earn recognition from business leaders for its proven accuracy¹, technological innovation, and scalable solutions.

Advertising: Turning weather science into marketing ROI

Consciously or subconsciously, weather influences every aspect and decision of people’s lives – how we feel, what we try, and what we buy. Even a 1 °C increase in temperature can boost consumer spending by 1.2%.²

And it adds up: The National Retail Federation estimates that weather affects about $1 trillion in global sales annually.³ When it comes to delivering a brand message in the right moment, to the right people, the precision and accuracy of weather-targeted advertising isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a must have.

In today’s cluttered ad environment, where every touchpoint counts, marketers can’t afford to waste budget or an opportunity to drive an action. Take it from Ryan Oliver, Head of Communications at EcoFlow — an emerging leader in portable power solutions: “The Weather Company’s credibility and accuracy helped us reach a highly engaged audience actively seeking solutions for weather-related outages, boosting awareness and interest in EcoFlow’s backup power solutions.”

Aviation: Better forecasts, safer flights

In aviation, forecast accuracy directly impacts safety, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Weather causes approximately 75% of all flight delays⁴, costing airlines an estimated $60 billion annually.⁵ Further, weather conditions are the source of more than 65% of injuries to passengers and crew due to turbulence.

With accurate, probabilistic forecasts, airlines can better anticipate disruptions before they happen — not just react to them. This leads to better, more efficient route planning, reduced fuel consumption, and happier passengers flying smoother skies. Take it firsthand from Nathan Polderman, Sr. Manager of Meteorology, United Airlines: “United Airlines’ operations are greatly enhanced from the accuracy of The Weather Company forecast data and the ability for their meteorologists — embedded in the United Network Operations Center — to quickly adjust and communicate nuances and uncertainties in the forecast. Precise and accurate weather forecasts are critical to United’s efforts to maintain safe and efficient operations and keep customers satisfied.”

Media: Building viewer trust

For broadcasters, forecast accuracy isn’t just about ratings — it’s the trust currency that makes viewers reach for their channel first. And in the highly competitive media landscape, trusted weather forecasts directly impact station credibility.

Consistent, accurate forecasts strengthen viewer loyalty and position the broadcast team as the authoritative weather source, whether nationally or locally. As Patrick Bigbie, Chief Meteorologist, WDAM-TV, puts it: “The Weather Company’s GRAF model is the first one I check each day when building my forecasts and presentations. I find it very reliable and trustworthy enough to share with my viewers.” Mark Nelsen, Chief Meteorologist at KPTV & KPDX Television, adds: “We’ve been using The Weather Company’s GRAF model for over five years now. Its accuracy is remarkable and I’ve learned not to second-guess it since it usually proves me wrong.”  GRAF, a proprietary global weather modeling system, is just one of the many forecasting technologies built and used at The Weather Company to drive the accuracy of our weather forecast portfolio.

Government & defense: When missions and lives are at stake

In defense operations, even minor deviations in weather forecasts can compromise asset deployment, technological capabilities, and personnel safety.

With weather intelligence that accurately predicts weather conditions on the ground and in the air, military personnel teams can better prepare for the operating conditions they’ll face in the field. This preparation allows for tactical adjustments that create strategic advantage. When adversaries rely on less accurate or incomplete information, your enhanced weather awareness becomes a decisive operational edge.

This tactical advantage becomes increasingly valuable in today’s more volatile operational environments. Gareth Collier, former Special Forces Officer, drives home the importance: “For military capability and personnel safety, forecast accuracy isn’t just a matter of convenience — it’s critical to both mission success and saving lives. Weather conditions affect everything from soldier welfare to platform preservation to tactical advantage. Precise meteorological information is a force multiplier that enables optimal military strategy and operational planning.”

Not all forecasts are created equal

Many claim it, but only one forecaster can prove it: The Weather Company is the world’s most accurate forecaster.⁶ Delivering this level of accuracy doesn’t happen by chance. It requires a unique approach to weather forecasting that only The Weather Company has pioneered and continues to perfect.

Since our inception nearly five decades ago, we’ve combined human, meteorological expertise with proprietary, state-of-the-science technologies and AI to provide accurate forecasts and scalable solutions for people and businesses alike. And with that accuracy comes trust – trust that has earned us the distinction of being the most trusted weather provider and one of the top 15 most trusted brands among all adults in 2025.⁷

Solutions to thrive in the face of impactful weather

Accurate weather data helps instill confidence, drive decision-making, and propel the world forward. That’s why we’re committed to continuous innovation of current and future solutions, including:

• Weather Data APIs: We deliver real-time and historical weather data that provides high-resolution, continuously-updated, and hyper-local intelligence.
• Consumer experiences: Consumer experiences: We’re trusted by more than 330 million people each month across all digital properties, including weather.com and The Weather Channel app.⁸  The Weather Channel app stands as the #1 most downloaded weather app in the U.S, a daily habit for over 50 million people.⁹
• Enterprise solutions: Our solutions power decisions for 2,000+ enterprise customers across media (600+ broadcast stations), aviation (25,000+ flights per day), government, defense, agriculture, insurance, automotive, retail, CPG, pharma, energy, and beyond.

The best of both worlds: Human expertise + AI precision

We combine human meteorological expertise with advanced AI to create forecasting capabilities that neither could achieve alone:

• Human-guided, AI-powered approach: 100+ meteorologists collaborate with our AI systems through a “human over the loop” model, combining decades of expertise with cutting-edge technology to deliver fresh, precise, more accurate, and actionable forecasts.
• Scientific collaboration: Our ongoing work and dialogue with the broader scientific community includes NCAR, UCAR, and NOAA, accelerating our innovation while advancing capabilities for everyone.
• Technological rigor: We process 75+ billion terabytes of data daily across 100+ forecast models to create 25+ billion personalized, on-demand forecasts for 2.2 billion global locations. As part of that technology stack, our proprietary, high-precision weather modeling system, GRAF, provides hourly updates that can predict events as small as a thunderstorm virtually anywhere on the planet.

When weather shapes decisions, accuracy is the only option

For decisions that affect people and businesses everywhere, you need forecasts you can count on every time.

The question isn’t whether you can afford accurate weather intelligence, but whether you can afford to be without it. It’s your turn: Discover how our unmatched forecast accuracy can transform your business outcomes.

• Weather conditions critically impact the effectiveness and safety of military drone operations.
• Weatherverse Planner™ provides real-time weather data and forecasting tools tailored to help optimize drone missions.
• Continuous monitoring and automated alerts help ensure drones can safely adapt to rapidly changing weather conditions.
• Leveraging advanced weather insights helps enable military planners to optimize operational efficiency and reduce mission risks.

As the reliance on unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) increases, the military’s use of drones has become essential for modern warfare and tactical operations. From surveillance and reconnaissance to communication relays and logistical support, drones are now vital tools in defense strategies. However, one factor that consistently challenges their effectiveness is weather. Whether it’s sudden wind gusts, visibility issues, or temperature extremes, weather conditions can significantly impact the safety and success of military drone operations.

The growing importance of weather readiness

Today’s drones are sophisticated systems equipped with state-of-the-art navigation, sensors, and payload capabilities. Yet, even with these technological advancements, drones are vulnerable to adverse weather conditions. For instance, strong winds can destabilize drone flight, heavy rain can disrupt sensors, and extreme temperatures can drain battery life or affect the precision of onboard electronics. Given these challenges, understanding and leveraging accurate drone weather forecasts is critical for mission success.

In military contexts, where drones are used for high-stakes tasks like reconnaissance, targeted strikes, or electronic warfare, access to real-time weather is critical. Without precise weather data, missions may face delays, equipment could be damaged, or operations could fail. For defense planners and analysts, real-time weather insights are essential to mitigate volatile or extreme weather risks.

Leveraging the power of Weatherverse Planner

To address these challenges, The Weather Company developed Weatherverse Planner, a powerful tool designed to help improve operational decision-making by delivering real-time weather monitoring and advanced forecasting capabilities tailored for military use. This tool bridges the gap between volatile weather and mission-critical decisions, providing actionable insights that can help optimize drone deployment and overall mission planning.

Weatherverse Planner enables:

Continuous weather monitoring and contingency planning: Military teams can establish and routinely update contingency plans based on the latest weather conditions. Weatherverse Planner provides a continuous flow of data, helping operators to identify and plan around potential weather disruptions in real time. This facilitates rapid adjustments to mission schedules, flight paths, or equipment configurations, ultimately helping to reduce risks and strengthen mission reliability.

Advanced weather tools for dynamic operations: Weatherverse Planner leverages The Weather Company’s proprietary Global High-Resolution Atmospheric Forecasting (GRAF) model, which offers precise predictions tailored for UAS weather conditions. Utilizing this tool helps enable commanders to gain insights into how specific weather patterns might impact their drones’ performance and help ensure that operations are executed with maximum efficiency and safety. Weatherverse Planner is available both as a hosted solution (Planner Hosted) and as an integrated plugin for existing command and control (C2) systems (Planner Plugin), providing flexibility for defense teams to integrate Weatherverse Planner into their existing infrastructure seamlessly. Weatherverse Planner leverages forecasting models validated by ForecastWatch, with The Weather Channel achieving two to four times as many first-place points in wind forecast accuracy as competitors for each forecast day horizon1, delivering reliable support for military operations.

Probabilistic Forecast feature

Probabilistic forecast feature

Utilizing probabilistic forecasting for mission success: Weatherverse Planner’s probabilistic forecasting capabilities help users evaluate multiple potential weather scenarios before a mission. For example, if a forecast predicts moderate rain, commanders can review a range of outcomes to determine the likelihood of more severe weather. This helps in making informed decisions about whether to proceed, delay, or adjust mission parameters, which is especially crucial in high-risk environments.

Optimal Weather Window feature

Identifying optimal weather windows: The “Weather Window” feature helps identify the most favorable periods for drone operations, helping to optimize mission timing. It’s an invaluable tool for scheduling activities in highly variable weather conditions. Aligning drone missions with optimal drone weather conditions can help defense teams reduce operational costs and minimize mission risks.

Automated weather alerts and impact analysis: Quick response times are vital in dynamic combat zones. Weatherverse Planner’s automated alerts provide real-time notifications about sudden weather changes that could affect active missions. Whether it’s a drastic drop in temperature or a developing storm, mission commanders can receive updates directly on their dashboards, helping them to swiftly modify routes or postpone operations if needed.

Augmented data visualization and decision support: Weatherverse Planner’s intuitively designed interface includes color-coded visualizations and condition-specific dashboards, helping to simplify the display and understanding of complex weather data. Military analysts can better assess high-risk periods at a glance, allowing for more efficient decision-making under pressure. These visualizations help reduce the cognitive load on operators and empower them to focus on mission-critical tasks rather than deciphering weather data.

Enhanced adaptability for operations in low bandwidth areas: The Weather Company also anticipates completing work on ATAK integration in Q1 2025 so that critical weather updates reach personnel even in contested bandwidth environments. This integration will be vital for one-way drone missions covering distances of 300 to 500 km, where limited connectivity allows teams to receive real-time weather alerts without data transmission bottlenecks.

Real-world applications: Strengthening military operations

Condition Manager feature

Condition manager feature

Weather readiness translates to mission readiness. With capabilities such as real-time weather APIs and customizable weather thresholds, military personnel can proactively adjust mission plans to align with changing weather dynamics.

In addition, the Condition Manager tool continuously monitors weather impacts along predefined flight paths. This feature is particularly useful when drones fly low-altitude missions where terrain and microclimates can drastically alter weather conditions. By tracking weather against predefined thresholds, the Condition Manager helps alert commanders well before conditions worsen, helping enable better-prepared, safer missions.

Empowering defense teams with advanced weather solutions

Military operations are complex, where precision is key. Defense teams can augment their strategic capabilities and reduce weather-related risks by integrating advanced weather monitoring systems like Weatherverse Planner into their operational toolkit. Leveraging UAS weather data and real-time insights helps military units deploy drones at the most opportune times to minimize delays and maximize the success rate of their missions.

As weather volatility increases globally, the need for accurate, timely weather intelligence has never been greater. The Weather Company’s solutions are designed to provide defense teams with the tools to help navigate increasingly uncertain and volatile weather conditions, mitigating the impact of weather conditions on achieving mission objectives.

By embracing advanced forecasting tools and continuous monitoring solutions, military planners can better anticipate challenges, allocate resources more effectively, and improve the overall resilience of their operations.

Weather forecasts have been around since the beginning of civilization, when humans used recurring meteorological and astronomical events to better monitor weather patterns and plan for seasonal changes. Initially based on (mostly inaccurate) observations of the sky, wind, and temperature, these forecasts have thankfully evolved into more advanced and reliable ones.

Incorporating technology into weather forecasting began in the 1700s with the development of the barometer and thermometer. These basic yet advanced tools not only paved the way for more accurate weather predictions but also inspired generations of weather enthusiasts interested in advancing the science.

Today, individuals and businesses alike rely on accurate weather forecasting to anticipate severe weather and drive daily decision making. But how truly reliable are weather forecasts?

To understand the reliability, it’s crucial to first define what constitutes an accurate forecast.

What is accurate weather forecasting?

An accurate weather forecast is a measure of how closely the forecast matches reality. To produce an accurate forecast, scientists combine complex data analysis, modeling, and human expertise. Forecasts can range from short-term to long-range predictions, each with varying degrees of accuracy.

Short-range weather forecasts

Short-range forecasts (1–14 days) are typically generated by physics-driven models that ingest global weather data and simulate outcomes using advanced techniques, with AI increasingly contributing to the precision of these forecasts within this timeframe. These are considered more reliable due to their frequent model updates and high-resolution input data.

Long-range weather forecasts

Long-range forecasts (15+ days) are largely based on historical data and pattern recognition to predict what’s ahead. Forecasts beyond 15 days are inherently less precise because of how rapidly the atmosphere can change. This means accuracy is likely to decrease the further out the forecast goes.

How reliable are weather forecasts?

The answer largely depends on the forecast range. Generally, short-term forecasts demonstrate high accuracy:

• A 7-day forecast can accurately predict the weather about 80% of the time.²
• A five-day forecast can accurately predict the weather approximately 90% of the time.³

Accuracy drops as the forecast range increases, but advanced models and AI can help improve even long-range predictions. 

Why are reliable weather forecasts important?

Weather significantly impacts people’s daily lives, and accurate weather forecasting enables communities to better prepare for the effects of changing weather conditions. Weather forecasting determines the likelihood of a severe weather event or strong storm. By leveraging this information, utilities can strengthen the grid, and schools can decide if it’s safe for parents to drive their children.

Why are reliable weather forecasts important?

In the past four years, the United States saw a total of 93 individual billion-plus-dollar weather and climate disasters (20 in 2021, 18 in 2022, 28 in 2023, and 27 in 2024). Prior to 2020, the highest number for a single year was 16.4. In 2024 alone, there were more than 150 unprecedented climate disasters globally, and $182.7 billion in U.S. weather-related damages – the fourth-highest year on record.5 As extreme weather events become more common, people and businesses rely on weather forecast accuracy more than ever to try to mitigate losses, influence safety measures, increase productivity, and improve business-related decisions.

It’s this critical need that underscores why accurate weather forecasting helps instill confidence, drive informed decisions, and propel the world forward. That’s why we’re committed to continuous innovation of current and future solutions. From rerouting flights to adjusting supply chains, better forecasts reduce risk and support operational confidence.