AccuWeather announced Oct. 12 its weather tracking tool will expand its presence to all of Central and South America, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The new offerings will allow for these areas to receive more accurate radar coverage locally, regionally and throughout the world through new radar that is a hybrid of ground-based and satellite-based radar. The technology eliminates gaps previously present in radar weather tracking, AccuWeather stated in a press release.
"We are so pleased to be extending the safety, convenience and comfort afforded by AccuWeather's MinuteCast to these new regions," AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said in the release. "This tool has proven to be one of our most popular features on our apps and on our website precisely because people find it most useful to plan before stepping out and at multiple points along their journey. Our users rely on MinuteCast to determine the best time to venture out to walk the dog, go for a run, stroll to dinner or how to dress for a sporting event, like 'futbol.' Because it's central to the interface on our free app, this tool literally puts convenience right in the palm of people's hands."
The new precipitation forecasting radar tracking will be able to show occurrences up to four hours before it happens, and comes at a critical time in Central and South America as October is known to be the rainiest season of the year for that part of the world, the release stated.
The new forecast tool will also help farmers prepare for weather to protect crops, according to the release.
"Innovation is in our DNA at AccuWeather and the expansion of MinuteCast is another example of our effort to provide people, communities and businesses with easy to use, life-saving technology wherever they are," AccuWeather Vice President of Science, Innovation and Development Scott Mackaro said. "Increasingly as volatile weather occurs, we are finding new ways to enhance people's safety and well-being by helping them stay prepared ahead of any weather situation, with pinpoint precision."