AccuWeather, which claims to be the world’s “most accurate” and “most used” weather source, recently launched its AccuWeather API “in collaboration” with API3, a first-party blockchain oracle solution, providing a Web3 wrapper that enables Web API providers to offer AccuWeather’s weather data “directly on-chain.”
The deal empowers AP13 “to deliver the most accurate weather forecast and warning data to decentralized applications (dApps) to benefit users and community members.”
By running its own oracle node, AccuWeather will further “establish itself as a foundational data provider in the developing dApp space through direct interaction with decentralized developers and data consumers, demonstrating the value, impact and breadth of weather data across various platforms and applications.”
The technology’s first-party architecture also “offers easily scalable solutions as AccuWeather looks to increase data production and delivery to users and communities.”
AccuWeather’s partnership with API3 creates “a new opportunity to control its own oracle node that serves data to end-users.”
The newly accessible direct-to-consumer connection “is another significant step forward for AccuWeather as an … innovator and as it establishes its presence in Web3.”
With API3’s Airnode, the AccuWeather API will seamlessly “provide Web3 developers with its numerous weather-related endpoints.”
This data can be “leveraged across a number of dApps serving user needs including:”
For data consumers, the first-party oracle model “offers improved user transparency; data is delivered directly from one reputable source versus an intermediary providing aggregated information from anonymous origins, and lower costs for data consumers due to fewer entities involved in the information exchange process (intermediary, additional API providers).”
AccuWeather SVP of Business Development, Paul Lentz, said:
“The application and use of AccuWeather’s weather data, leveraged independently on an API oracle, has the potential to make lasting impacts through a range of industries and even in emerging markets. As one of the first major weather data and forecast providers to enter the blockchain space, we have a unique view into the demand and usage of the marketplace which puts us on a strong footing as we explore new opportunities for growth and how we can better serve users.”
Heikki Vänttinen, co-founder of API3, remarked:
“As legacy organizations and new projects alike turn to blockchain technology to enhance or innovate processes, the need for transparent and reliable data has increased tremendously, and AccuWeather is a prime example of commitment to bringing value to the decentralized space – straight from the source, directly to dApps. We look forward to seeing the positive impacts of the AccuWeather API across all sectors, from insurance to lifelike experiences in the metaverse.”
As noted in an update shared with CI, 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 the AccuWeather.com® website and AccuWeather mobile application, as well as radio, television, newspapers, and the 24/7 AccuWeather Network channel and AccuWeather NOWTM streaming service.”
AccuWeather For Business “serves more than half of Fortune 500 companies and thousands of businesses globally. ”
AccuWeather “produces and distributes news, weather content, and video for more than 180,000 third-party websites.”