Aya Ephrati writes for
NoCamels.
Weather has always been difficult to predict, but future forecasting might face
even greater challenges with weather patterns that seem ever more volatile,
making it hard to rely simply on the weatherman’s
predictions.
Meteo-Logic, an Israeli startup, is offering a new software
solution that might be one of the most accurate prediction services for weather
patterns.
“The
initial challenge was to answer the following question in winter time: can I
plan an outdoor event tomorrow at 16:00 at a specific place? Until now, you
needed expensive professional forecasting services to answer such questions,”
Igal Zivoni, founder and CEO, tells
NoCamels.According to Dr. Baruch
Ziv, an expert in dynamic meteorology and
Meteo-Logic’s consultant, the company
can answer this in a successful alternative to existing forecasting
solutions.
Global patterns for local weather
Meteo-Logic turns existing
weather stations into active forecasting points by analyzing their historical
data and turning it into the basis for accurate weather predictions for the
station’s specific area. The forecasts feature various parameters including
temperature, humidity, wind intensity and direction, as well as how much
precipitation is expected.
Meteo-Logic’s forecasts are based on advanced
physical and statistical models and an innovative algorithm which analyzes the
meteorological historical data of the specific weather point, focusing on
understanding the relationship between the actual measurements and the
short-term predictions provided for a specific location. The algorithm can
simultaneously test numerous parameters on large records and create
multidimensional predictive models.
The company plans to offer its
services in three areas: as a weather prediction tool for any user, as a tool to
convert historical weather data into a prediction service, and as an advanced
tool for wind-farm owners. The technology can be used anywhere in the world
where historical weather data is available and where stations are taking
measurements. It is particularly designed to meet the needs of institutions that
operate their own weather stations and are in need of highly accurate localized
weather forecasts, such as airports and seaports.
The software is
currently in the experimental stage and is being tested at 70 different sites
around Israel, but the level of precision is not yet uniform for each locale.
Meteo-Logic believes that the disparities can be mitigated and has high hopes
for the future – with few other weather forecasting systems that coordinate
local data with general, regional forecasts.
Predicting the future Zivoni
believes that
Meteo-Logic will be especially helpful in alternative energy
production. In July, the company launched a service for wind-farm owners that
allows them to upload their weather station data to the forecasting system. The
system then offers more accurate predictions for wind conditions by
cross-referencing this information with global weather patterns. Updates are
given hourly to help owners set the best price for wind energy and meet
agreements with utility companies.
“There are already more than 100
different customers that are using the services,” says Zivoni. Farmers, utility
and renewable energy companies, aviation, defense, transportation, and travel
companies, as well as seaports and others currently constitute the customer
base.
Meteo-Logic is now looking for strategic partners and investors in
several countries outside of Israel to expand their activities. Zivoni hopes his
company “will become a brand name in the field of accurate weather prediction,
with global, affordable services, serving green trends and smart usage of
energy.”
Meteo-Logic was founded in July 2011. The company now has 10
workers based out of Ramot Hashavim in Israel. The company is currently
self-funded and is in the process of developing its first mobile application.
NoCamels - Israeli Innovation News