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Real-time lightning & severe weather detection
Lightning detection with global coverage, in real time — Xweather detects the precise time and location of over 2 billion lightning events per year, with high location accuracy even over remote areas.
Lightning safety for business
- Real-time Accuracy
- Global Coverage
- Developer-Ready
Lightning safety for business
From aviation to energy, protect what matters most. Access proven strategies, solutions, and industry insights to safeguard your operations.
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Learn about the science and technology of lightning detection and analysis, powered by the world’s leading lightning detection network.
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Discover key insights into global lightning activity, including strike density, frequency, and seasonal patterns.
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Challenges we help solve
Rapidly changing weather conditions create operational risks, reduce efficiency, and expose critical systems to new vulnerabilities.
Unpredictable Variability
Fast-changing conditions make operational planning more complex and less reliable.
Asset Exposure to Events
Storms, heatwaves, flooding, and icing increase damage risks across infrastructure.
Limited Real-Time Visibility
Fragmented or delayed data prevents teams from reacting quickly to emerging threats.
Disruptions & Delays
Weather-driven interruptions impact performance, scheduling, and service quality.
Manage Climate Exposure
Protect and optimize portfolios with industry-focused intelligence
Manage Climate Exposure
Protect and optimize portfolios with industry-focused intelligence
Manage Climate Exposure
Protect and optimize portfolios with industry-focused intelligence
Xweather solutions
What you get with Xweather
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Customizable alerts & forecasts
Forecast alerts for lightning, hail, and wind — with Xweather Protect you can get notified up to 60 minutes ahead when lightning is forecast near your assets; hail and wind alerts add extra layers of safety and protection.
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Real-time lightning & severe weather detection
Lightning detection with global coverage, in real time — Xweather detects the precise time and location of over 2 billion lightning events per year, with high location accuracy even over remote areas.
Real-time lightning & severe weather detection
Lightning detection with global coverage, in real time — Xweather detects the precise time and location of over 2 billion lightning events per year, with high location accuracy even over remote areas.
Real-time lightning & severe weather detection
Lightning detection with global coverage, in real time — Xweather detects the precise time and location of over 2 billion lightning events per year, with high location accuracy even over remote areas.
Real-time lightning & severe weather detection
Lightning detection with global coverage, in real time — Xweather detects the precise time and location of over 2 billion lightning events per year, with high location accuracy even over remote areas.
Security and quality built in
Certified to industry standards, ensuring trusted data, safe operations, and reliable performance.
ISO
27001
Subtext can goes here in a few lines.
ISO
9001
Subtext can goes here in a few lines.
SOC 2
Subtext can goes here in a few lines.
Test-drive the world's most advanced Weather API — free for 30 days
Energy traders and analysts can now look further ahead with 30 days of early access to daily updated subseasonal forecasts, reports, and data feeds.
Multiple forecast models and probabilistic ranges highlight the most likely outcomes and the risks that matter most.
Receive fresh, detailed insights every day—covering the entire U.S. and all EIA regions—so critical information is always at your fingertips.
Example request
Response
Global lightning coverage from a single source
The Xweather Lightning Network combines proprietary lightning detection networks with private member networks to deliver complete global coverage from a single source.
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NLDN
The National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) is a Vaisala-owned precision lightning detection network that covers the continental United States. In operation for over 40 years, the NLDN detects lightning with a median locational accuracy of 84 meters.
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GLD360
GLD360 is a Vaisala-owned long-range detection network capable of locating lightning anywhere on the planet with a median accuracy of 1 km. As the only truly global network, GLD360 delivers the most consistently accurate and reliable worldwide lightning data.
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Member networks
Member networks are owned by private organizations. Built with Vaisala sensors, these precision networks contribute regional data to the Xweather Lightning Network in exchange for enhanced performance, range, and accuracy.
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Power your next innovation with Xweather
From predictive insights to live data streams — integrate Xweather into your apps, platforms, and products.
Reliable detection of defects and assets
Powered by computer vision, RoadAI detects multiple distresses, fixes, and road assets. Work with asset-specific data or overall road surface condition ratings.
Distress detection
RoadAI identifies major road distresses—from cracking and potholes to fretting, settlement, edge deterioration, and bleeding—across a full range of severities.
CrackingPotholesFretting
Fix detection
Identifying patching and crack sealing repairs to show exactly where fixes were made and how they’re performing.
PatchingCrack sealing
Asset detection
Detecting road assets—from signs and markings to guard rails, lighting, and drainage—for a complete, accurate inventory.
Traffic signsLine markingsSurface markings
Build with the power of weather
Integrate precise, hyperlocal weather intelligence into your apps, maps, and platforms with Xweather APIs.
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Power your applications with the most reliable, enterprise-ready weather API available—trusted by businesses and governments worldwide.
Industry-leading documentationRobust integrations
Get startedEverything you need to build
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Weather API
A real-time weather-intelligence platform delivering hyperlocal forecasts, observations, and risk insights for trading, utilities, energy.
Xweather lightning data in press
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Frequently asked questions
With wireless NB-IoT connectivity and battery power, AtmoCast sensors are easy to install in any location. Our experts will assist you with site selection. Mounting a sensor takes only 15 minutes with the included accessories and standard hardware. Onsite activation is simple with the Vaisala Xcast Connect mobile application.
0 billion+
data points processed daily
0 countries
with live global coverage
0 + clients
across energy, finance, and mobility
0 + years
of weather data and innovation
Real-time route forecasting and automated alerts minimized risks across European operations.
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Matt Stead
Co-founder, and Chief Product Officer, Eologix-Ping
Continuously assess your road network
As a leading pavement management software, RoadAI provides the tools and data you need to make effective decisions.
- Data collection
Collect data with smartphone whenever and wherever you drive.
- Efficient analysis
Fast, objective, and transparent analysis with same-day delivery of results.
- Road network overview
Up-to-date data of your entire road network with video footage you can refer back to at any time.
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Powered by observations from your local sensors
Step-by-step wizards
Your weather data and mapping quick-start assistant, no matter your coding experience.
Extensive library of layers
Generate powerful visuals with unique layers, with options for forecasts and up to 30 days of historical weather.
Map builder
Quickly and easily create custom maps: Use Map Builder to combine map size, location, base layers, weather layers, overlays, and layer options.
Step-by-step wizards
Your weather data and mapping quick-start assistant, no matter your coding experience.
Safety and comfort
Find safer, more efficient routes and reduce drive time by using road weather data to avoid roads with poor driving conditions.
EV range and efficiency
Calculate EV range more accurately by factoring in the current and forecasted weather and driving conditions.
ADAS and AD
Reduce the risk of accidents and increase system availability with real-time information about road surface conditions beyond the vehicle’s line of sight.
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Subseasonal Energy Trader Report launched at NAEMA
Energy traders and analysts can now look further ahead with 30 days of early access to daily updated subseasonal forecasts, reports, and data feeds.
Multiple forecast models and probabilistic ranges highlight the most likely outcomes and the risks that matter most.
Receive fresh, detailed insights every day—covering the entire U.S. and all EIA regions—so critical information is always at your fingertips.
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Maria Johnson
Founder of The weather Company
Wind farms
Wind Farms stats and insights
Lightning risk at the world’s busiest airpots
Lightning flashes near airports put lives and equipment at risk. With more than 100,000 commercial flights worldwide every day, and 2024 passenger numbers surpassing pre-pandemic levels, precise and reliable lightning detection is critical for minimizing delays while keeping passengers and airport ground crews safe.
We analyzed a decade of lightning activity to estimate the impact of lightning risk at the world's 20 busiest airports.
Kyle Field
Texas
159298
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Arkansas
131144
Tiger Stadium
Louisiana
128820
Cotton Bowl
Texas
124940
EverBank Stadium
Florida
117677
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Oklahoma
117585
AT&T Stadium
Texas
114374
Raymond James Stadium
Florida
93629
Hard Rock Stadium
Florida
90073
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Mississippi
82140
Country
Average annual minutes with lighting risk (2016-2025)
Kyle Field
Texas
159298
Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium
Arkansas
131144
Tiger Stadium
Louisiana
128820
Cotton Bowl
Texas
124940
EverBank Stadium
Florida
117677
Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
Oklahoma
117585
AT&T Stadium
Texas
114374
Raymond James Stadium
Florida
93629
Hard Rock Stadium
Florida
90073
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Mississippi
82140
Country
Average annual minutes with lighting risk (2016-2025)
Doak S. Campbell Stadium
Florida
75094
NRG Stadium
Texas
67146
Bryant–Denny Stadium
Alabama
55914
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Florida
54991
Legion Field
Alabama
52026
Nissan Stadium
Tennessee
49986
Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
Texas
49066
GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
Missouri
44026
Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Georgia
37863
M&T Bank Stadium
Maryland
36184
32
At Orlando International Airport, each lightning event lasts about 32 minutes on average.
357
Singapore Changi Airport faces 357 lightning events per year, totaling 9,903 minutes and affecting around 1.1 million
2,994
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport records 2,994 minutes of lightning risk annually.
5.6
Los Angeles International Airport experiences only 5.6 lightning events per year.
From invisible problems to actionable insights
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Collect
Sensors, satellites, radar, and IoT devices continuously stream live atmospheric data — from the surface to the stratosphere.
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Analyze
Advanced AI models process, clean, and interpret weather data to detect patterns, predict events, and model risk.
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Visualize
Data is transformed into intuitive visual layers — interactive maps, dashboards, and APIs for instant understanding.
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Act
Actionable alerts, automation triggers, and API integrations deliver forecasts directly into your workflows.
Industries we power
From energy and agriculture to transport, fintech, and insurance— we bring you weather intelligence that transforms how you run your business.
Mobility and infrastructure
Power your mobility operations with precise, hyperlocal weather data and industry-proven solutions. From flight planning to winter road maintenance, Xweather brings you real-time insights to improve safety, minimize delays, and optimize efficiency at every step.
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Energy and utilities
Weather shapes every part of the energy sector, and your operations need reliable, field‑tested weather intelligence to stay ahead. Xweather delivers precise forecasts, severe weather alerts, and unmatched historical data to help renewable energy companies, investors, and utility operators to protect infrastructure, optimize performance, and get the best return on investment.
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Finance and insurance
Our road weather data is under constant scrutiny by Xweather science teams and our customers. We continuously improve our proprietary forecasting models by validating the data against ground-truth measurements from road weather sensors and stations.
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Impact
Road weather data for assisted and autonomous driving
Xweather provides precision road weather for developing and enabling assisted and automated driving systems. Our end-to-end offering includes everything from predictive data-as-a-service to hardware for ground-truth observations of road surface conditions. We support ADAS and AD technology throughout its development lifecycle from early validation to performance testing and on to production.
Increase system availability
We extend the weather-specific ODD of ADAS and autonomous vehicles with real-time and predictive road weather data—helping teams test, optimize, and select routes that stay reliable in any conditions.
Improve safety performance
We extend the weather-specific ODD of ADAS and autonomous vehicles with real-time and predictive road weather data—helping teams test, optimize, and select routes that stay reliable in any conditions.
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Driver trust
We extend the weather-specific ODD of ADAS and autonomous vehicles with real-time and predictive road weather data—helping teams test, optimize, and select routes that stay reliable in any conditions.
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Increase system availability
We extend the weather-specific ODD of ADAS and autonomous vehicles with real-time and predictive road weather data—helping teams test, optimize, and select routes that stay reliable in any conditions.
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Partner
Leading ADAS and autonomous driving developers.
Challenge
Onboard sensors couldn’t reliably detect or anticipate hazardous road and weather conditions, limiting system availability and reducing safety performance.
Solution
Xweather provided precise, real-time and predictive road weather intelligence — road friction, road surface condition, road temperature, and hazard forecasts — extending perception beyond the vehicle’s sensors.
Impact
Higher ADAS/AD availability in adverse weather
Fewer disengagements and safer driving behavior
More reliable decision-making across autonomy stacks
Related products
Insights & Reports
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Your first integration
MapsGL SDK
A real-time weather-intelligence platform delivering hyperlocal forecasts, observations, and risk insights for trading, utilities, energy.
MapsGL iOS SDK
A real-time weather-intelligence platform delivering hyperlocal forecasts, observations, and risk insights for trading, utilities, energy.
Integrate and innovate
Xweather Protect delivers an all-in-one solution for weather risk management, real-time storm monitoring, and alert automation for all your locations worldwide.
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Wind farms interview
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Marty Kausa
Founder of The weather Company
Wind farms interview
Today we’re talking about transmission lines — a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and modern communication. To begin, could you explain in simple terms what a transmission line is?
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Marty Kausa
Absolutely. A transmission line is a specialized structure designed to carry electrical energy or signals from one point to another efficiently. It’s more than just a wire — it’s a controlled pathway that manages voltage, current, and electromagnetic waves over distance. We use them in power systems, telecommunications, and even in high-frequency circuits inside devices.
Today we’re talking about transmission lines — a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and modern communication. To begin, could you explain in simple terms what a transmission line is?
Marty Kausa
Absolutely. A transmission line is a specialized structure designed to carry electrical energy or signals from one point to another efficiently. It’s more than just a wire — it’s a controlled pathway that manages voltage, current, and electromagnetic waves over distance. We use them in power systems, telecommunications, and even in high-frequency circuits inside devices.
Today we’re talking about transmission lines — a fundamental concept in electrical engineering and modern communication. To begin, could you explain in simple terms what a transmission line is?
Marty Kausa
Absolutely. A transmission line is a specialized structure designed to carry electrical energy or signals from one point to another efficiently. It’s more than just a wire — it’s a controlled pathway that manages voltage, current, and electromagnetic waves over distance. We use them in power systems, telecommunications, and even in high-frequency circuits inside devices.
State lightning capitals in 2025
A state lightning capital is the city, town, or landmark in each state that saw the most lightning in 2025. The table shows the locations with the highest density, which is the number of lightning events per km² for each capital.
Alabama
Windham Springs
553
Arizona
Canyon Day
83
Alaska
Anderson
12
Arkansas
Hazel Valley
815
California
Mt. Shasta
82
Colorado
Leader
246
Connecticut
Lake Waramaug State Park
55
DC
somewhere in SE side of DC
81
Delaware
Cannon
78
Florida
Placid Lakes
527
Shady Grove, Oklahoma
In 2025, Shady Grove, Oklahoma, takes the title of US lightning capital. For the past four consecutive years, a town in Texas or Florida was at the top of the list.
Rosston, Texas
Located north of Dallas, and famous for being a rendezvous point for the outlaw Sam Bass in the 1870s, Rosston saw more lightning than any place in Florida.
Hazel Valley, Arkansas
An unincorporated community in Northwest Arkansas ranked third in lightning density in 2025; lightning was its main attraction last year—the welcome sign might as well read: “Population: small. Strikes: 815.”
Total lightning density
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#1 by count
Polk Country, Florida, saw 851,938 lightning events in 2024
#1 by density
Walker County, Texas, saw 318 lightning events per km2 (825 per square mile)
Helpful resources
Learn more about related offerings
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Use cases
In-vehicle infotainment for safety and comfort
Xweather supports innovation in connected-car experiences with timely information about air quality, weather, and road conditions that improves road safety, travel efficiency, and driver awareness.
0 planets
with Vaisala technology
0 planets
with Vaisala technology
0 +
weather stations worldwide
0 billion
lightning events detected
What are we counting when we count lightning?
Our lightning detection network distinguishes between in-cloud pulses and cloud-to-ground strokes.
In-cloud lightning
In-cloud lightning consists of electrical pulses connecting positive and negative regions within or between clouds, often spanning hundreds of kilometers.
Cloud-to-ground lightning
A lightning stroke is a rapid discharge between cloud and ground—the bright, visible strike—and several can occur within one flash.
Total lightning
Xweather detects and classifies individual pulses and strokes within both in-cloud and cloud-to-ground flashes—a comprehensive method known as total lightning detection.
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Offerings
WeatherDesk
A real-time weather-intelligence platform delivering hyperlocal forecasts, observations, and risk insights for trading, utilities, energy, agriculture, and commodity markets. Helps teams anticipate market-moving weather events and respond faster.
Lightning API
Real-time and historical lightning intelligence to assess asset risk, monitor outage potential, and guide maintenance or dispatch decisions. Strike location, severity, and timing help teams quickly validate faults and optimize restoration efforts.
Road Weather API
High-resolution, predictive road-surface and weather data for logistics, fleet operations, and energy asset management. Enables safer routing, operational planning, and weather-related risk reduction.
Predictive Weather Insights
Sector-specific forecasts — including wind, temperature, precipitation, and extreme-weather indicators — tailored to energy demand modeling, renewables forecasting, and commodity price movement.
Air Quality API
Global air-quality data and pollutant forecasts designed for utilities, infrastructure operators, and environmental compliance teams. Supports regulatory reporting, health-risk monitoring, and operational adjustments.
Severe Weather Alerts
Automated, location-specific alerts for storms, wind, hail, temperature extremes, flooding, and other hazardous events. Enables operators to act early, protect assets, and trigger response workflows with confidence.
Built for every use case
From APIs to AI forecasting, Xweather delivers the data and tools that power smarter decisions across industries.
Built for Real-World Impact
Applications
Xweather Applications deliver ready-to-use solutions for industries — from road safety to energy management — powered by live weather and environmental intelligence.
Data That Sees Ahead
Weather Intelligence
Our Weather Intelligence platform provides APIs, analytics, and AI-driven forecasts that help you predict, prepare, and perform better — anywhere on Earth.
Fortune 100 companies rely on Xweather
Previous reports
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The Annual Lightning Report. Total lightning statistics for 2024
Go to report)
The Annual Lightning Report. Total lightning statistics for 2023
Go to report)
The Annual Lightning Report. Total lightning statistics for 2022
Go to reportWeather data in action
Xweather products drive innovation across energy, finance, mobility, agriculture, and more — turning weather insights into operational advantage.
The intelligence behind your weather advantage
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Protect
Xweather Protect delivers an all-in-one solution for weather risk management, real-time storm monitoring, and alert automation for all your locations worldwide.
Be the first to know what the weather has in store
Xweather Protect
Severe weather monitoring and alerts
Weather risk management, real-time storm monitoring, and alert automation for all your locations worldwide with Xweather Protect: all in one powerful interface.
WeatherDesk
Weather risk exposure analytics
In trading and utilities, speed of reaction is everything. Anticipate and mitigate the impacts of changing weather conditions with global weather forecasts and observations.
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RoadAI
Road asset inventories four times faster and at half the cost
Powered by computer vision and a robust methodology, RoadAI reliably assesses road surface condition, providing you with accurate, up-to-date road asset information faster, more frequently, and at a fraction of the cost of traditional surveys.
Powerup
Renewable energy generation hedging
Understand production from individual farms to analyze and address risk by structuring hedges to address volume, shape, and price cannibalization. Xweather Powerup is an unmatched tool to manage your renewable energy financial risks.
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Weather-powered energy decisions
Stay ahead of shifting conditions with intelligence that strengthens reliability, boosts efficiency, and protects critical infrastructure.
Additional resources
Superior weather intelligence for every market and mission
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Solutions powered by Xweather
From predictive insights to real-world impact — Xweather delivers weather intelligence that helps industries adapt, optimize, and protect what matters most.
Risk & safety
Get real-time alerts, storm forecasts, and impact intelligence that enable faster, safer decisions across every site and operation.
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Keep fleets moving through any condition
Predict road hazards, optimize logistics, and reduce weather-related delays with AI-driven route forecasts and live data feeds.
Balance power and predict demand
Forecast energy generation, consumption, and outage risks with precision weather data tailored for renewable and grid systems.
Top dates for lightning in the continental US in 2025
Lightning is seasonal in the United States. In 2025, the peak day came on April 5, right in the middle of a multi‑day severe‑weather outbreak from April 2–6 that brought tornadoes and sustained heavy rain to at least 10 states in the southern and Midwestern US, along with widespread flooding. Earlier in the season, a major mid‑March outbreak produced over 100 preliminary tornado reports from March 14 across parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, including several EF3–EF4 tornadoes.
Winter break
Six days in January saw no detected lightning across the continental US. A striking difference to 3 months later, when the peak for the year topped out at more than 3 million total lightning events on April 5th.
The unlucky one
On January 22, the only cloud-to-ground lightning stroke across the entire continental US hit a radio tower in Tallahassee, FL.
Haunted skies
The Northeastern states experienced an electrifying Halloween, as all 12 cloud-to-ground strokes across the continental US on October 31 were located in upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
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Core stats
Lighting highlights 2025
When lightning hits your bottom line
From grounded aircraft to damaged wind turbines, the cost of lightning strikes adds up fast. But what if you could anticipate every storm? From real-time alerts to proactive prevention, Xweather helps you protect what matters most.
0 billion+
data points processed daily
0 countries
with live global coverage
0 + clients
across energy, finance, and mobility
0 + years
of weather data and innovation
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Xweather vision
Weather data for software-defined vehicles
Changing weather and road conditions affect the performance and efficiency of vehicle systems. Our technology helps you mitigate weather-related risks, optimize vehicle systems, and leverage opportunities for new innovation.
Changing weather and road conditions affect the performance and efficiency of vehicle systems. Our technology helps you mitigate weather-related risks, optimize vehicle systems, and leverage opportunities for new innovation.
Changing weather and road conditions affect the performance and efficiency of vehicle systems. Our technology helps you mitigate weather-related risks, optimize vehicle systems, and leverage opportunities for new innovation.
Product and highlight
Accurate EV range and improved efficiency
Xweather goes beyond generic weather data, providing dedicated atmospheric and road surface parameters for modeling rolling resistance and aerodynamic drag to predict EV range.
Accurate EV range prediction
Enhance the driver experience with accurate, weather-aware EV range prediction that accounts for current and forecasted conditions.
Optimize drivetrain to extend range
Use current and forecasted weather data to optimize thermal management of the battery, power train, and cabin leading to improved efficiency.
Reduce range anxiety
Build driver trust and confidence with accurate range prediction. Provide enhanced route planning options that highlight the most efficient routes.
US states ranked by lightning activity
Tools Behind the Solutions
Energy
Let weather work for your grid
Unlock reliable forecasts that turn uncertainty into advantage. Whether you’re preparing for peak demand or protecting assets from severe weather, Xweather gives you the clarity to act early, save resources, and keep your network running smoothly.
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Mobility & Infrastructure
Let weather work for your grid 2
Unlock reliable forecasts that turn uncertainty into advantage. Whether you’re preparing for peak demand or protecting assets from severe weather, Xweather gives you the clarity to act early, save resources, and keep your network running smoothly.
Finance and Insurance
Let weather work for your grid 3
Unlock reliable forecasts that turn uncertainty into advantage. Whether you’re preparing for peak demand or protecting assets from severe weather, Xweather gives you the clarity to act early, save resources, and keep your network running smoothly.
Industrial and field operations
Let weather work for your grid 4
Unlock reliable forecasts that turn uncertainty into advantage. Whether you’re preparing for peak demand or protecting assets from severe weather, Xweather gives you the clarity to act early, save resources, and keep your network running smoothly.
Webinars and demos
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On-demand: We are a turning point for renewable energy...is your portfolio ready?
Explore the forces transforming the renewable energy landscape in our on-demand Xweather webinar. As wind and solar rapidly gain ground and market conditions accelerate, new opportunities are emerging—alongside heightened volatility and growing weather-driven risk.
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