Spire enhances its High-Resolution Forecast with powerful new features
- Key updates available today
- Improved 100-meter wind predictions
- New variables: Effective cloud fraction and maximum hail size
- Unified Transatlantic data assimilation domain
- Assimilation of new satellite datasets via EUMETCast
- A testament to innovation and teamwork
- Empowering customers with advanced forecasting tools
Written byMeghan Mussoline
Marketing Content Consultant, Spire Weather and Climate
Advanced 100-meter wind predictions, new weather variables, and a unified Transatlantic data domain boost forecast accuracy and decision-making in energy, commodities, utilities, and insurance.
Spire Weather & Climate is excited to announce significant enhancements to the Spire High-Resolution Forecast. Guided by invaluable customer feedback, our teams have worked tirelessly over the past few months to implement substantial upgrades. These advancements boost forecast accuracy and broaden the product’s applications across critical industries such as energy, commodities, utilities, insurance, and beyond.
Key updates available today
Improved 100-meter wind predictions
For energy and commodity customers who rely on wind forecasts to optimize energy trading strategies, our model now delivers improved 100-meter wind predictions. This enhancement incorporates new source code and additional static datasets, enabling the model to better account for atmospheric drag under specific conditions.
New variables: Effective cloud fraction and maximum hail size
Responding to customer requests, our team implemented model updates, now generating effective cloud fraction and maximum hail size data. These parameters are critical for solar energy forecasting and insurance risk assessments. Soon, these variables will be accessible via API and in Cirrus, our customer interface.
An unprecedented, expanded data assimilation domain has been extended to a Transatlantic domain, assimilating more Spire RO data and other datasets. The two previous data assimilation domains are shown for comparison.
Unified Transatlantic data assimilation domain
We’ve transitioned from separate data assimilation domains for the continental US (CONUS) and Europe to a unified Transatlantic domain. This innovation brings:
- Improved forecasts through enhanced data assimilation (including more Spire Radio Occultation data)
- Increased consistency across all high-resolution domains
- Reduced engineering complexity, allowing for quicker future upgrades
Assimilation of new satellite datasets via EUMETCast
New capabilities at Spire’s Glasgow office allow us to assimilate a vast array of additional public weather satellite data in real-time, including infrared and microwave observations from multiple satellites. This significantly enriches additional datasets that inform our forecasts.
A testament to innovation and teamwork
This ambitious rollout is the result of relentless dedication and collaboration across teams. Dr. Tom Gowan, Spire’s Director of Weather Prediction and AI, expressed his pride in the team:
“This release reflects our focus on customer feedback, rapid innovation, and delivering the best forecasts possible. It showcases the exceptional talent and expertise of the engineers and scientists on our team, who have pushed the boundaries of what’s achievable in weather prediction to provide our clients with accurate and reliable weather insights.”
Empowering customers with advanced forecasting tools
These updates reflect Spire’s mission to empower businesses with actionable, space-powered weather intelligence. Whether it’s optimizing wind energy production, assessing hail risks, or navigating Transatlantic weather challenges, the Spire High-Resolution Forecast continues to set a new standard for precision and reliability.
Discover how the Spire High-Resolution Forecast can elevate your operations – reach out today to begin your 30-day evaluation.
