Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a “Human over-the-loop” or HOTL processing of weather forecasts. A forecaster may create and manage polygonal Filters, Qualifiers and Blurbs (FBQ's) that can be used to adjust the forecast or describe the forecast for the spatial area circumscribed by the FBQ polygon. The filters are placed manually and act to constraint or modify the digital forecast data over some time range of hours or even days into the future. The filters act to limit the machine-sourced forecasts into acceptable or smart thresholds from unacceptable or un-wise thresholds. HOTL is a Forecast on Demand system that delivers voluminous and rapidly changing forecast guidance that flows unimpeded to outward facing publication platforms and is instantly available to end users and consumers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a “Human over-the-loop” or HOTL processing of weather forecasts. A forecaster may create and manage polygonal Filters, Qualifiers and Blurbs (FBQ's) that can be used to adjust the forecast or describe the forecast for the spatial area circumscribed by the FBQ polygon. The filters are placed manually and act to constraint or modify the digital forecast data over some time range of hours or even days into the future. The filters act to limit the machine-sourced forecasts into acceptable or smart thresholds from unacceptable or un-wise thresholds. HOTL is a Forecast on Demand system that delivers voluminous and rapidly changing forecast guidance that flows unimpeded to outward facing publication platforms and is instantly available to end users and consumers.

Abstract: Liquid precipitation and snow precipitation measurements having a first resolution and spanning a first time period are aggregated with data from a computer generated model of current liquid precipitation and snowfall estimates having a second resolution and spanning a second time period to form near up-to-date estimates of liquid precipitation and snowfall over a determined time period. The measurements are received from various weather history data severs over a network. The data is processed into a gridded data set for a determined geographical region. The current conditions estimates are received over a network from a different sever. The processor then aggregates the processed liquid and snow precipitation estimates with the current precipitation estimates corresponding to the period from the most recent precipitation and snowfall data until present.

Abstract: A method of collecting weather data includes determining probable occurrences of weather events. Contact information corresponding to a plurality of users is maintained. Weather collection devices are sent to the plurality of users prior to the occurrence of the probable weather event. Data is collected by the weather collection devices upon the actual occurrence of the probable weather event.

Abstract: A method of forming a situational network includes receiving an indication of an occurrence of a situation. A first set of connections are established with devices corresponding to a plurality of individuals, where the connections are established based on a determination that the plurality of individuals are affected by the occurrence of the situation. A second set of connections between two or more of the devices corresponding to the plurality of individuals is facilitated, where the first set and second set of connections are used at least in part to exchange information related to the situation among at least a subset of the individuals corresponding to the devices of the second set of connections.

Abstract: A method of collecting weather data includes determining probable occurrences of weather events. Contact information corresponding to a plurality of users is maintained. Weather collection devices are sent to the plurality of users prior to the occurrence of the probable weather event. Data is collected by the weather collection devices upon the actual occurrence of the probable weather event.

Abstract: Weather forecasting systems and methods for deriving and producing very short-term weather forecasts. Weather data and forecast information maybe input to derive very short-term weather forecasts in the 0-6 hour time frame. The system and methods include an expert system employing a hybrid or blending of forecasting approaches, with dynamic or intelligent arbitration of the different numerical, statistical, and human-driven techniques to produce more accurate weather forecasts for very short-term time periods. A calibration or internal verification against ground truth may be run independently with a time lag to produce more accurate future predictions of atmospheric state. The systems and methods may run in modes that produce either high resolution weather forecasts in the short-term period of 0-6 hours or a combination of synthetic, real-time weather observations/conditions and high resolution, short-term weather forecasts.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for estimating or deriving weather observations for any given location. Using weather radar data, a correspondence between the weather radar coverage, intensity and the precipitation type may be monitored. From that, a measure of corroboration between the radar data and surface weather conditions may be established. Through radar calibration statistics and estimates of ground-based precipitation, the corroboration can be iteratively tuned, resulting in a final improved estimate of the present weather and associated meteorological fields. The associated meteorological fields may include at least one of a probability of precipitation, precipitation accumulation, precipitation rate, and horizontal visibility.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for estimating or deriving weather observations/conditions for any given location using observed weather conditions from neighboring locations, radar data, lightning data, satellite imagery, etc. An initial estimate of weather conditions for a location is made based on a downscaling process using the current conditions the neighboring locations. A measure of corroboration between the radar data and surface weather conditions at official observing stations may be established. Through the results of the downscaling process, radar calibration statistics and estimates of ground-based precipitation, the corroboration can be iteratively tuned, resulting in a weather conditions vector containing associated meteorological fields for locations that lie between or near the sparse network of official observing sites from which an estimate of the weather conditions may be made.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an improved pollen forecast for tree, grass, and ragweed pollen levels. The system provides a searchable, two-day forecast for zip codes and cities within the continental United States. The forecast is based on observed and forecast weather conditions and observed pollen conditions. A growing degree day value is determined that is used to represent trends in pollen activity. From this information, a pollen forecast is presented on a “Low-Moderate-High-Very High” scale in order to quickly convey to the user the forecasted pollen count.

Abstract: Methods and articles of manufacture for estimating or deriving weather observations/conditions for any given location using observed weather conditions from neighboring locations, radar data, lightning data, satellite imagery, etc. An initial estimate of weather conditions for a location is made based on a downscaling process using the current conditions the neighboring locations. A measure of corroboration between the radar data and surface weather conditions at official observing stations may be established. Through the results of the downscaling process, radar calibration statistics and estimates of ground-based precipitation, the corroboration can be iteratively tuned, resulting in a weather conditions vector containing associated meteorological fields for locations that lie between or near the sparse network of official observing sites from which an estimate of the weather conditions may be made.