AccuWeather

AccuWeather is a private weather forecasting company established in 1962 by Joel N. Myers, a meteorologist and entrepreneur, in State College, Pennsylvania. The firm operates as a global provider of weather data, delivering forecasts to over 175 countries and in more than 100 languages. It employs approximately 500 people and generates revenue through advertising, subscriptions, and enterprise services.

History

AccuWeather originated as a consulting service for businesses needing accurate weather predictions, initially focusing on clients in the United States. According to AccuWeather's official history, Joel N. Myers founded the company while pursuing graduate studies at Pennsylvania State University, where he developed early forecasting models. By the 1970s, the company expanded into radio and television broadcasting, partnering with local stations to deliver weather reports.

In the 1980s, AccuWeather introduced computerized weather graphics and began international expansion, as detailed in Forbes. The launch of its website in 1995 marked a shift toward digital platforms, followed by mobile applications in the 2000s. A significant milestone occurred in 2015 when the company rebranded and invested in artificial intelligence for predictive analytics, according to Reuters.

Services and Technology

AccuWeather offers a range of products including MinuteCast, a proprietary tool for minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts, and RealFeel Temperature, which accounts for humidity and wind in perceived weather conditions. These innovations are supported by a network of over 100 meteorologists and data from satellites, radar, and weather stations worldwide, as explained in The New York Times.

The company provides enterprise solutions for industries such as agriculture, energy, and transportation, utilizing big data and machine learning for risk assessment. In recent years, AccuWeather has ventured into climate services, offering long-term trend analysis amid growing concerns over climate change, per Bloomberg.

Controversies

AccuWeather has faced criticism regarding data privacy practices. In 2017, reports emerged that its mobile app shared user location data with third parties without explicit consent, leading to updates in privacy policies, as reported by ZDNet.

Additionally, in 2018, then-CEO Barry Lee Myers was nominated for a federal position, sparking debates over potential conflicts of interest between private weather firms and public agencies like the National Weather Service, according to The Washington Post.