Meteo-Logic promises new-generation forecasting

Israeli start-up offers new accurate prediction service for weather patterns.

By AYA EPHRATI/NOCAMELS
Windmill 370 (photo credit: cwasteson)
Windmill 370
(photo credit: cwasteson)
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