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Forensic Services : Our Products FORENSIC METEOROLOGYWith over 80 meteorologists, AccuWeather is the world's weather leader. The AccuWeather name is recognized by over 180 million Americans. Our meteorologists have a vast range of talents and specialties in every aspect of meteorology and weather analysis. So, when you need weather information, turn to AccuWeather. We are the weather experts!Popular Weather Analysis Products Comprehensive Site-Specific Written Report A written report, signed by three meteorologists presenting our opinion, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, as to the weather conditions at a particular place during a given time frame. Our report expresses our opinion of the weather conditions at the exact street address where the incident took place, as opposed to the nearest airport. The data used in preparation of a comprehensive site-specific report come from all available sources of weather data. This is the most detailed report available.
Site-Specific Verbal Briefing A reconstruction of the weather conditions at a particular location during a given time frame. After we have conducted our research, one of our meteorologists will discuss our findings with the client and will be available for consultation to determine the next step in the case. The verbal briefing often leads to a written report. Data for preparation of the verbal report comes from all available sources of weather data. These briefings are detailed and more specific than the regional study discussed below. Trial Testimony Our weather experts have the experience and skills to explain complex weather conditions to a jury in a way that is easily understandable. We have participated in more than 100 trials across the country for both plaintiffs and defense. Video and audio conferencing is available.
Depositions Sworn pre-trial testimony of our findings by one of the AccuWeather forensic meteorologists. A deposition can be done at the AccuWeather office or at a location of the client's choosing. Our experts combine a Ph.D. in meteorology and the Certified Consulting Meteorologist distinction to give you the best possible expert for your case. Video and audio conferencing is available.
Courtroom Graphics and Animations Graphs, tables, charts, maps, animations or other items requested by a client that are used in court in conjunction with testimony. These items are generally produced in house by the AccuWeather graphics department, whose graphics are used by hundreds of television stations and newspapers to explain the weather to the public each day.
Specialized Weather Analysis Products Custom Weather-Based Business Analysis This weather analysis encompasses a wide range of options. Our team of meteorologists study weather based business trends every day making them experts in this field. A custom weather-based business analysis can study the effects of weather variables on product sales, power usage, etc. Studies can also be performed to determine the site feasibility for the location of a ski resort or a power plant. We can also perform studies of climate trends. This analysis would be more detailed than a comprehensive site-specific report and often will include charts, graphs and tables.
Regional Report A reconstruction of the weather conditions in a particular region during a given time frame. Data for preparation of the regional report comes from all available sources of weather data. These reports are less detailed than the comprehensive site-specific report and the site-specific verbal report in that they are not site-specific but rather region-specific which is still more detailed than data from the nearest airport. A verbal briefing of our findings is available upon request.
Hourly Surface Weather Observations Hourly weather data from any official National Weather Service reporting station including any or all of the following: temperature, dew point, relative humidity, cloudcover, precipitation, snow depth, visibility, wind direction, and wind speed. These observations are decoded by a meteorologist and put into an easy-to-read chart. Each set of hourly surface weather observations is accompanied by a letter signed by one of our meteorologists explaining what the data show. Hourly surface weather observations are more detailed than any of the monthly products that are available. They are useful in many cases. These hourly observations are typically available for the airport nearest to the site in question and can cover a range of 24-hours or longer.
Doppler Radar Data Doppler radar products include wind velocity, precipitation intensity, one-hour precipitation totals, and storm total precipitation. Our experts will not just provide you with a Doppler radar image. They will study the image and provide you with a letter explaining what we see in the image to help you better understand the benefits of the Doppler radar image. Doppler radar data are useful for cases involving lightning, wind damage, motor vehicle accidents, and excessive rain, just to name a few.
Lightning Strike Data Several cloud-to-ground lightning strike products are available. The most basic products are the United States maps and the Pennsylvania and vicinity maps showing the location of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes during a calendar day. Also available are three products that give information on lightning strikes within a given radius of a site during a specified time frame. The first just tells the number of strikes. The second is a map showing the location of th strikes. The third is a listing of the exact time and distances from the specified location of each strike. Each lightning strike product is interpreted by a meteorologist and is accompanied by a letter signed by a meteorologist explaining the data. Lightning strike data is often utilized to help insurance companies settle lightning damage claims.
Monthly Weather Summary Climatological Report: A monthly compilation available from many locations nationally and internationally of daily high, low, and average temperatures, normal temperatures, liquid precipitation, snowfall, snow on the ground, heating degree days, and cooling degree days. Also presented are monthly totals and departures from normal for most of the listed weather factors. This item is obtained from the AccuWeather database. Each climatological report is examined by a meteorologist before it is sent to a client. Climatological reports are a good first step product for cases that occurred reasonably close to an observation site.
Local Climatological Data Monthly Summary: A summary of the weather conditions during a month available from 300+ United States observation sites. The Local Climatological Data Monthy summary includes daily averages, totals, and extremes for temperature, precipitation and wind, 3-hour surface observations, and hourly precipitation totals. These Local Climatological Data Monthly summaries are examined by a meteorologist before being sent to a client. Slightly more detailed than the climatological reports, the local climatological data monthly summary is also a good first step for many cases.
Cooperative Observer Report: Observations from over 8,000 sites in the United States. Cooperative observers are trained volunteer observers that fill in the gaps between official airport hourly weather observation sites. Cooperative observers take observations once a day and send their monthly observation forms to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Observations can include any or all of the following: high temperature, low temperature, average temperature, observation time temperature, liquid precipitation, snowfall, and snow on the ground. Cooperative observer reports help to fill in the gaps between official National Weather Service reporting stations. A meteorologist examines the cooperative observer reports for consistency and accuracy and includes a letter interpreting the information before they are sent to a client. Like climatological reports and local climatological data monthly summaries, the cooperative observer reports are a good first step in many cases.
Learn more about our forensic meteorology products! Forensics Department, AccuWeather, Inc. 385 Science Park Road, State College, PA 16803 Phone: 814-235-8626 E-mail: forensics@accuwx.com |