Sky Motion Research has released the latest iteration of its proprietary nowcasting technology, integrating worldwide ground-level observations for maximum accuracy. The release sets a new precedent for weather applications by allowing users to benefit directly from crowdsourced ground observations. The technology is available to consumers through a mobile app for iOS devices, while businesses can integrate the nowcasting data via an API, also recently released.

While Doppler radars have been traditionally relied on by weather organizations to track and predict the whereabouts of precipitation clouds, they provide little insight as to whether precipitation will reach the ground. Equipping SkyMotion users with a worldwide weather crowdsourcing platform circumvents this current technological limitation and offers an unprecedented level of accuracy. Following several years of R&D, Sky Motion Research has devised new algorithms that analyze and absorb user-submitted ground observations to feed them into SkyMotion‘s hyperlocal, minute-by-minute nowcasts.

Here’s the full list of changes in this recent update:

• Brand new slick design
• SkyMotion Observer: cool new feature for storm chasers, weather enthusiasts or anybody who wants to submit ground-level observations
• Storm, hurricane and tornado alerts
• Ads can be removed through in-app purchase
• Get first-glance view of nowcasts, hourly, daily, and weekly forecasts in a single swipe
• Condition highlights: dramatic changes in weather conditions now glow for your convenience
• Improved precipitation prediction for rain, snow, freezing rain, ice pellets and hail
• Be the first to share nowcasts on Facebook and Twitter
• iPhone 5 & iOS 6.1.2 Compatible

The crowdsourcing platform also benefits from inheriting the large database of users who have downloaded previous versions of SkyMotion.

“We’re addressing issues that have plagued weather forecasting for decades. It’s a giant leap from the general city forecast we’ve relied on for the last 30 years. We’re covering all angles by providing hyperlocal, minute-by-minute forecasts that factor in ground observations,” said Sky Motion Research CEO, Maxime Julien . “This is the future of weather forecasting.”

Currently available in North America, Sky Motion Research will rely on its worldwide ground observations platform to progressively deploy its nowcasting technology in new countries.