AccuWeather/ABC On-Air Forecasts Proven Most Accurate in New Study

Kantar research analyzed and compared TV weather forecast accuracy in the eight markets of the ABC Owned Television Stations; AccuWeather/ABC forecast was the clear accuracy winner in each market examined and also provided the most useful details to local communities.

Kantar research analyzed and compared TV weather forecast accuracy in the eight markets of the ABC Owned Television Stations; AccuWeather/ABC forecast was the clear accuracy winner in each market examined and also provided the most useful details to local communities.

AccuWeather Global Weather Center, October 6, 2020 — In the latest and most comprehensive analysis of on-air forecast accuracy undertaken to date, independent data researcher Kantar concluded that AccuWeather/ABC forecasts are the most accurate by a significant margin and provided the most useful details to help audiences make the best decisions over the other local television stations in each of the eight markets examined.  

The study, conducted between February 3 and April 3, 2020, gathered, analyzed and compared the on-air televised weather forecast presentations of NBC, CBS and FOX local stations along with ABC Owned Television Stations that utilize the AccuWeather forecast in top markets, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno, to determine which stations had the most accurate weather forecast. Across the board, AccuWeather/ABC forecasts were determined by Kantar to be most accurate.   

For temperature accuracy, AccuWeather/ABC forecasts were the best in each of the eight markets, averaging 9.7 percent more accuracy than CBS, 10.9 percent more accuracy than NBC and 18.8 percent more accuracy than FOX. For precipitation, AccuWeather/ABC forecasts were also the most accurate and bested CBS by an average of 18.5 percent, FOX by an average of 22.1 percent and NBC by an average of 25 percent. 

Read the full Kantar 8-market report here.  

In addition to providing the most accurate weather forecasts, the AccuWeather/ABC weathercasts were found by Kantar to provide the most overall useful detail to help audiences make the best weather-impacted decisions for themselves and their families. Of great significance, the study included a qualitative component that analyzed the level of detail provided within each station’s weathercast and found that the AccuWeather/ABC weathercast provided more detailed and actionable information than NBC, CBS and FOX stations, enabling local ABC viewers to make more informed decisions for greater safety from severe weather and for better planning.  

The independent report also stated that AccuWeather/ABC forecasts provided better detail on the timing of disruptive weather, enabling viewers a better opportunity to make adjustments to their plans and activities. For example, the study found the AccuWeather/ABC forecast provided information, on average, 42 percent more often than the other local stations on the start and end times of precipitation, and they provided 60 percent more detail when fog will form or dissipate, allowing drivers to plan around traffic delays. 

For maximum consistency, the 6:00 pm local time, Monday to Friday on-air TV weathercast, which most stations provide, was viewed by Kantar and the forecast from these telecasts was recorded and the results were verified. The verification methodology included comparing the televised forecasts to observed data from U.S. National Weather Service official data sources in each of the markets.

“We are pleased with AccuWeather’s results from the Kantar research,” said Wendy McMahon, president, ABC Owned Television Stations. “It accurately reflects how we report the weather to the communities we serve and gives assurance to our viewers on how to make the best decisions and planning for themselves and their families.” 

“We are naturally pleased with the findings of the Kantar study confirming the superior accuracy of AccuWeather’s forecasts,” said Dr. Joel N. Myers, AccuWeather Founder and CEO.  “They underscore what every previous study of forecast accuracy has borne out – that the statistical superiority of the AccuWeather forecast, regardless of the platform or medium that delivers it, is unrivaled and the best option for people who want to keep their families, their property and their businesses safe and protected.” 

This latest Kantar study comes on the heels of another study by independent industry tracker ForecastWatch, which Forbes magazine called the “JD Powers of weather prediction.“ In that study, the most complete analysis of forecast accuracy available, AccuWeather ranked first in statistical forecast accuracy in all categories examined in the study – temperature, precipitation and wind speed verified, further validating AccuWeather’s superiority as the most accurate provider of weather forecasts and warnings.

Other key findings in the Kantar report: 

• AccuWeather/ABC forecasts offer more details for greater safety. They provided details about expected road conditions during snow and ice events 4 times more often than the other stations examined; details about the formation of black ice from fog 3 times more often that the other stations; and details about severe weather impacts in the viewing area 25 percent more often than the other stations. 

• AccuWeather/ABC forecast offer better details on weather impact on viewers’ activities. They provided details regarding the visibility and impact to travel due to foggy conditions 3 times more often; details about expected travel conditions or delays twice as often; details about how to dress for the forecasted weather twice as often; details 48 percent more often regarding the weather conditions for a specific event such as a local football game or parade; and information 76 percent more often on relative humidity for better health management. 

AccuWeather’s leadership in forecast accuracy is the foundation on which all its innovative products and services are built. The patented AccuWeather MinuteCast® forecast, for example, gives users precipitation forecasts up to two hours ahead with precise minute-by-minute start and stop times for every address. And in addition to hour-by-hour forecasts, AccuWeather offers forecasts that extend farther into the future than any other source, all the way up to 90-day forecasts that are highly popular with users who like to plan ahead. 

These added benefits, explained Myers, coupled with AccuWeather’s better descriptions and emphasis on how the weather will impact peoples’ lives and activities, make AccuWeather’s forecasts even more valuable. 

AccuWeather's proven Superior Accuracy™ is achieved by exclusive patented technology, the largest collection of global forecast models and data, leading-edge predictive AI and machine learning, and the best IP and procedures developed and refined over the company’s 58-year history, combined with the most talented and experienced group of meteorological forecasters anywhere. AccuWeather employs more than 100 expert meteorologists who work as forecasters as well as throughout other parts of the company. 

Click here for more information on Kantar study methodology or to read the full report.

About AccuWeather, Inc. and AccuWeather.com — AccuWeather, recognized and documented as the most accurate source of weather forecasts and warnings in the world, has saved tens of thousands of lives, prevented hundreds of thousands of injuries and tens of billions of dollars in property damage. With global headquarters in State College, PA and other offices around the world, AccuWeather serves more than 1.5 billion people daily to help them plan their lives and get more out of their day through digital media properties, such as AccuWeather.com and mobile, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the 24/7 AccuWeather Network channel. Additionally, AccuWeather produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites. Among AccuWeather’s many innovative and award-winning features available free to the public are MinuteCast^® Minute by Minute™ forecasts with Superior Accuracy™. Furthermore, AccuWeather serves more than half of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses globally. Dr. Joel N. Myers, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, established AccuWeather in 1962 and is considered the “father of modern commercial meteorology.” Dr. Myers, a leading creative thinker and visionary, has been named “the most accurate man in weather” by The New York Times and one of the top entrepreneurs in American history by Entrepreneur’s Encyclopedia of Entrepreneurs. 

AccuWeather, RealFeel, WinterCast, and MinuteCast are all registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature, AccuWeatherIQ, AccuWeather RealImpact, AccuWeather RI, AccuWeather MinuteCast, AccuWeather Network, Minute by Minute and Superior Accuracy are all trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All other trademarks, product names and logos are the property of their respective owners. 

The AccuWeather app for Android phone and tablet users is free at the Google Play store. The AccuWeather iOS app is free at apps.apple.com. Visit accuweather.com for additional information. 

About Kantar -- Kantar is the world’s leading evidence-based insights and consulting company. We have a complete, unique and rounded understanding of how people think, feel and act; globally and locally in over 90 markets. By combining the deep expertise of our people, our data resources and benchmarks, our innovative analytics and technology, we help our clients understand people and inspire growth.

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