Spire's Vantage Points: February 2025
Spire Weather & Climate
Spire delivers space-based weather data. Predict market trends & manage risks with AI-driven, high-resolution forecasts.
January kicked off 2025 with record-setting weather events, including a southern US snowstorm and destructive wildfires in California. We reflect on the meteorology behind the extreme weather and offer insights for businesses to navigate such volatile conditions.?
?? Weather & Climate watch: top January events
Southern US snowstorm unleashes record cold, disruptions & losses
A historic snowstorm from January 20–22 shut down the South with record subfreezing temperatures, up to 10 inches of snow, and over 150K power outages. At least 12 deaths, economic losses in the hundreds of millions, and major business and agriculture disruptions resulted.
Storm Eowyn batters the UK and Ireland?
Hurricane-force winds up to 114 mph left over 1M homes and businesses without power, with Ireland alone seeing over €250M in damages, including to historical landmarks. Severe disruptions hit energy, transport, and logistics.
Wildfires devastate the Los Angeles area
Record-breaking heat, dry conditions, and fierce Santa Ana winds fueled catastrophic wildfires in the LA region, leaving at least 28 dead, displacing thousands, and destroying over 10,000 homes and businesses. Economic losses have been estimated at over $250B.
More key events that defined January:
Extreme winds cut power, rips roofs in Brisbane: A powerful microburst on January 23 left 10,000+ without power, ripped off a heritage venue’s roof, and unleashed 80,000 lightning strikes across Southeast Queensland. [Australian Broadcasting Corporation]
Severe winter storm slams Hawaii with hurricane-force winds: A rare winter storm pummeled Hawaii, bringing 120 mph gusts, flash flooding, and 24 inches of snow on Mauna Kea. Power outages, road closures, and flight disruptions impacted businesses statewide. [Hawaii News Now]
California mudslides disrupt business & infrastructure: Moderate rain triggered mudslides in Los Angeles, forcing evacuations, road closures, and business shutdowns. Damages were estimated in the millions due to flash floods and erosion. [The Guardian]
Deep freeze blasts the US: A brutal Arctic outbreak in mid-January plunged millions into subzero temps, with the coldest US January since 2011, leading to crop losses, and power outages impacted utilities and energy. The thermometer dropped to -9°F as far south as Wichita, Kansas. [AP News]
The Gulf Coast was buried by snow while the Midwest was spared — what happened?
A historic winter storm flipped the script on typical snowfall patterns, leaving more snow on the Gulf Coast than parts of the Midwest. With businesses shuttered, power outages, and supply chains in chaos, what can companies learn from this unprecedented event? Dive into the meteorology behind the storm and key takeaways for resilience in extreme weather.?
Storms and flooding: UK and Ireland face rising risks?
Extreme storms and widespread flooding triggered evacuations across the UK and Ireland with Storm Eowyn followed by Herminia, with major disruptions to transport, utilities, and supply chains. Spire’s Soil Moisture Anomalies reveal persistently saturated ground, heightening future flood risks. With climate change driving more severe weather, business resilience is critical. Is your business prepared? Learn more about Spire’s Soil Moisture Insights →
Meet an expert shaping AI-driven weather and S2S prediction at Spire Global?
Spire’s Senior AI Weather Scientist Dr. Nachiketa Acharya is redefining weather forecasting with AI-driven sub-seasonal to seasonal (S2S) predictions. His pioneering work transforms long-range forecasts, helping industries like agriculture, energy, and insurance make smarter decisions.
Historical perspective on Southern California’s wildfire crisis?
Spire’s Soil Moisture Insights Anomalies show how dry the soil is in Southern California compared to the 30-year average as indicated by brown shading. This has major implications in ongoing wildfire risk due to the abundance of dry fuels. On the other hand, green shading indicates areas with wetter-than-average soil moisture due to recent rainfall. ? Learn more about Spire’s Soil Moisture Insights →
AI is reshaping weather forecasting—key AMS takeaways?
Spire experts at AMS 2025 highlighted how AI is transforming weather prediction, from AI-powered sub-seasonal forecasting to high-resolution models optimizing energy and trading strategies. Discover how cutting-edge weather intelligence is shaping risk management and operational efficiency across industries.?
领英推荐
Want to talk to our experts about Spire Global’s AI models? Please contact Sarah Freeman, Spire Communications Manager, [email protected]?
DeepInsights?
A powerful suite of space-powered weather APIs and data, enabling precise operational insights. An optional Cirrus data viewer offers unparalleled extended high-resolution forecasts and real-time weather visualizations.
Cirrus Data Viewer
New visual threshold configuration
??Added layer color palette threshold controls for enhanced visual customization?
??Users can set minimum and maximum thresholds to filter data?
??Enables masking of values outside specific ranges (e.g., temperature), enhancing storytelling and data analysis?
Synchronized base map with application theme?
??Base map choice now syncs with Light/Dark mode?
??Other base map options remain unaffected?
DeepInsights
Spire High-Resolution Forecast
?Introducing four new variable bundles to enhance flexibility and meet user needs:
? Core Bundle – Includes standard fields like geopotential heights, relative humidity, and wind speed?
? Upper-Air Bundle – Focused on atmospheric data?
? Derived Bundle – Features temperature anomalies and geopotential height anomalies?
? Severe Bundle – Covers CAPE, shear, and hail size for severe weather insights?
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What this means for you:
? No impact on existing bundles or current users?
? Enables smaller, more targeted data packages for increased flexibility?
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DeepVision?
Customizable weather alert filters based on:?
? Severity (e.g., extreme vs. minor threats)?
? Certainty (e.g., observed vs. possible events)?
? Urgency (e.g., immediate vs. long-term concerns)?
?What this means for you:
? Helps declutter alerts by removing less relevant warnings
? Enhances usability and focus within weather layers?
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Enhanced administrative controls
? Improved tools for managing collection contents and properties?
? Greater flexibility for customizing data organization?
What this means for you:
? Designed to boost configurability for users?
Questions? Reach out!
If you have any questions, you can reach out to Cormac Dowdall, Weather & Climate Solutions Expert.