Introduction
ForecastWatch has made a significant stride in the field of meteorology by creating the Most Accurate Forecast Awards. This new initiative aims to shine a light on the best weather predictors across different regions, metrics, and time frames. As the global leader in measuring weather forecast accuracy, ForecastWatch has established a robust framework that offers public recognition to those who excel in this essential industry.
The Motivation Behind the Awards
For over two decades, ForecastWatch has been at the forefront of assessing the accuracy of weather forecasts. With the world's largest historical database dedicated to weather predictions and actual outcomes, it has identified a gap: the absence of a formal communication channel celebrating the most accurate forecasters in the business. The introduction of these awards intends to fill that gap, providing both clarity and acknowledgment of exceptional forecasting skills.
Eric Floehr, the founder and CEO of ForecastWatch, emphasizes the importance of this initiative. He remarks,
“Measuring forecast accuracy and being able to declare it publicly are two different things. These awards are what forecast producers—and consumers—have always wanted: clear confirmation of current forecasting excellence.”
How the Awards Work
The program meticulously evaluates contenders across various disciplines, encompassing distinct markets, geographic areas, metrics, and forecast durations. The inaugural awards cater to two primary sectors: Consumer Weather and Enterprise Weather Intelligence, spanning three global regions: North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Furthermore, the awards classify winners based on specific metrics, such as,
24-hour high temperature, alongside different time horizons ranging from one to fourteen days.
Determining the Winners
To identify the most accurate forecasters, data is analyzed through the ForecastWatch Awards Accuracy Score. This grading system ranks forecasts on a universal scale from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate superior accuracy. This calibration method not only aids in making year-over-year comparisons logically coherent, but it also allows consumers and businesses to track improvements in forecasting abilities. It's essential to note that participants must supply twelve months of consistent data to qualify, with no ranked entry fees or pay-for-ranking schemes involved in the evaluation process.
The Inaugural Winners
North America
- All Metrics, 1-7 Days:
Microsoft
- All Metrics, 8-14 Days:
Foreca
- - Enterprise Weather Intelligence
- 24 Hr High Temperature, 1-14 Days:
Atmospheric G2
- 24 Hr Low Temperature, 1-14 Days:
CFAN
- 24 Hr Wind, 1-14 Days:
DTN
Europe
- All Metrics, 1-7 Days:
Microsoft
- All Metrics, 8-14 Days:
Pelmorex
- - Enterprise Weather Intelligence
- 24 Hr High Temperature, 1-14 Days:
Wettermanufaktur
- 24 Hr Low Temperature, 1-14 Days:
Wettermanufaktur
- 24 Hr Wind, 1-14 Days:
DTN
Asia Pacific
- All Metrics, 1-7 Days:
Microsoft
- All Metrics, 8-14 Days:
Foreca
- - Enterprise Weather Intelligence
- 24 Hr High Temperature, 1-14 Days:
Wettermanufaktur
- 24 Hr Low Temperature, 1-14 Days:
Wettermanufaktur
- 24 Hr Wind, 1-14 Days:
DTN
The detailed list of award winners is available on the ForecastWatch website, and the plan is for these awards to be held annually. This will create a consistent, independent benchmark that the forecasting industry and its customers can reference over time.
About ForecastWatch
ForecastWatch stands as the independent authority for forecast verification and market intelligence, analyzing data from over 50 forecasting entities and 2,400 weather stations worldwide. Their platform caters to a wide array of users, including consumer weather services, enterprise providers, government agencies, and climate research institutions. It provides the tools needed for accuracy verification, performance evaluation, and competitive benchmarking. For more information, visit
ForecastWatch.