WeatherRisk and Weatherzone Partner with Earth Networks to Enable Superior Severe Weather Detection and Alerting in Taiwan

Joint venture leverages Earth Networks’ lightning detection capabilities to create advanced nationwide Taiwanese lightning network

Germantown, Md., Taipei, Taiwan and North Sydney, Australia – March 21, 2017 — Earth Networks, WeatherRisk and Weatherzone,  today announced a joint venture between WeatherRisk and Weatherzone to create a first of its kind next generation lightning detection network in Taiwan using Earth Networks’ global lightning detection technology. The announcement was made ahead of InterMET Asia 2017, a leading global weather and climate industry conference and exhibit focused on mitigating and managing the risks of extreme weather and climate change.

The joint venture between WeatherRisk, Taiwan’s leading commercial weather information provider and Weatherzone, Australia’s leading commercial weather information provider, focused on developing a new lightning network in Taiwan anchored by Earth Networks’ advanced lightning detection capabilities via its Global Lightning Network. The new Taiwanese network deployment is underway and lightning data will become available in the next two to three months.

With 1,500 sensors in more than 90 countries, Earth Networks Global Lightning Network is the most extensive and technologically-advanced lightning network in the world. Its ability to monitor in-cloud lightning enables forecasters to generate faster, more localized storm alerts and warn of other forms of severe weather such as tornadoes, downbursts and flooding rains – in turn setting it apart from other lightning networks. Lightning data from the network is fundamental to the real-time identification of thunderstorm occurrence, location, coverage, intensity and trends. This information can greatly aid companies trying to manage operational risk and protect assets.  It will enable government agencies to better monitor the environment and protect lives and property.

“The new lightning network offers WeatherRisk customers – as well as other corporate, government and consumer users – throughout Taiwan severe weather warning and lightning detection capabilities beyond what is currently available,” said Jim Anderson, SVP Global Sales, Earth Networks. “Deploying this network for Taiwan builds upon Earth Networks’ existing lightning networks in Japan, Cambodia, Australia and throughout APAC. We are thrilled to work with two leading weather information providers to improve safety and reduce risks.”

Charles Solomon, CEO, Weatherzone, added, “Lightning strikes remain a leading cause of storm-related deaths in Asia and exact a devastating toll on business operations every year. We’ve seen how effective our lightning detection network has been at home in Australia and look forward to working with our long-standing partner, Earth Networks, and now WeatherRisk to bring this much-needed technology to Taiwan.

Dr. ChiMing Peng, CEO, WeatherRisk, said, “We are always looking for ways to provide our customers a superior desktop and mobile experience when it comes to valuable weather information and warnings that can keep them safe and reduce business risk. This joint venture and launch of the most advanced lightning network in the region helps us fulfill that mission.”

In December Earth Networks announced a significant expansion of the Earth Networks Global Lightning Network (ENGLN) – delivering unprecedented long-range global lightning detection capabilities for businesses and government to mitigate financial, operational and human risk. And to help organizations better leverage this weather data, Earth Networks also recently launched Sferic Maps and Sferic Mobile – advanced weather visualization, decision support and collaboration products that automate decisions surrounding severe weather situations and enable communication with their teams to prepare for disruptive events.

About Earth Networks

Earth Networks has been Taking the Pulse of the Planet® for more than 20 years. We help organizations mitigate financial, operational and human risk by providing environmental intelligence from the world’s largest hyperlocal weather network. Schools, airports, sports teams, utilities and government agencies rely on our early warning solutions to safeguard lives, prepare for weather events and optimize operations. Companies across all industries use our weather data to automate decisions regarding risk management, business continuity and asset protection.

About WeatherRisk
Founded in 2003, WeatherRisk is Taiwan’s first weather company providing weather risk management, weather intelligence data and meteorological services to businesses, media outlets and weather professionals.

About Weatherzone
Weatherzone is Australia’s largest private weather service, established in 1998. Our company is made up of a team of highly qualified meteorologists who understand the effect the weather has on the day to day operations of businesses of all kinds. Our focus is giving you the information you need to manage your business effectively and efficiently by offering you solutions that are innovative, tailored, flexible and responsive.

For more information on Weatherzone’s capabilities, visit http://business.weatherzone.com.au/

Media Contact:
Brian Lustig, Bluetext PR for Earth Networks
+1 202.469.3608
brian@bluetext.com