ClimaCell is a new weather startup that makes use of cell phone signals and street cameras for forecasting the weather better than anyone. The startup works by tapping into the millions of signals from cell phones and then analyzing the images from street cameras. This enables it to forecast weather about 60% more accurately as opposed to existing providers including National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The claims sure are too big, but the science behind them is feasible and sound. Radar signals are used by many forecasters. However, ClimaCell not only taps into them but also enhances its service by working in collaboration with millions of wireless devices.
As of now, the firm is busy working on a mathematical model that enables it to convert observations from the cell phones into weather data that can be utilized for simulation. The model can then be adjusted for focusing on the region, the weather type, and even the frequency of updates that a subscriber wants.
ClimaCell’s motto is ‘same weather, different forecast.’ According to its webpage, it has ‘500 million weather sensors at your fingertips.’ The firm further claims that it aims to map the entire weather data into the world and it has the team for actually doing it. The science section of the company writes, ‘ClimaCell’s microweather science team has been behind some of the biggest innovations in the weather industry in over a decade. The team is a made up of an amazing group of meteorologists, analysts, and PhD recipients in Wind Energy, Electric Engineering and other sciences, and is the backbone of everything we do here at ClimaCell.’
The researchers are working under the leadership of Luke Peffers. Luke has worked for the US government searching for any signs of the radiation in the weather for determining if the nuclear test bans have been or are being violated. Peffers has said that the ClimaCell model was run in Israel as a test for three months during the floods. Peffers said, ‘We did a terrific job compared to the Israel Meteorological Service’s rain gauges.’