Tomorrow.io’s Precipitation Insights: Comparing UP and Global Radar

At Tomorrow.io, we leverage multiple data sources to provide the most comprehensive weather information possible. The differences you may notice typically stem from comparing our Global Radar Layer to our in-house Unified Precipitation (UP) product. Here’s an overview to clarify these differences and help you select the best product for your needs.

Unified Precipitation (UP)

Our Unified Precipitation (UP) product blends quality-controlled radar data (Level 3) with satellite-based estimates to deliver reliable, real-time precipitation insights. Key features include:

• Global Coverage: Incorporates satellite data to fill gaps in areas without radar coverage.
• Accuracy: Quality-controlled, blending the best available radar and satellite data.
• Timely Updates: Refreshes every 30 seconds to ensure near real-time accuracy.

Visualizing the Precipitation Layer on the Tomorrow.io Platform

• Navigate to the "Trends" sub-tab on the Tomorrow.io platform.
• Click on the "Precip. Intensity" toggle to visualize the layer on the map (various colors):

Recommended Use:
UP is the ideal choice for most customers due to its consistent, accurate, and global coverage.

Global Radar Layer

The Global Radar Layer provides a composite of publicly available radar data (Level 2) from over 1,000 radars worldwide. While it delivers raw radar imagery, differences from UP may arise in areas where the radar layer incorporates data sources not used by UP.

Visualizing the Global Radar Layer on the Tomorrow.io Platform

To activate the layer on the map, click on the radar icon in the icon series on the map and select "Global Ground Radar":

Global Coverage of Ground Radar
The image below highlights the global coverage provided by ground radar sources. These radar sources are utilized in our Global Radar Layer, allowing us to display this information directly on the map within the Tomorrow.io platform.

Note: This visualization includes data from over 1,000 radar stations worldwide. For a comprehensive view of all radar stations, you can explore them here.

Recommended Use:
Customers with unique regional needs—such as those close to specific radar sites included in the global radar layer but not in UP—may prefer this option.

When to Choose UP Over Global Radar

In most scenarios, Unified Precipitation (UP) is the recommended product for its real-time accuracy, broad coverage, and consistent insights. However, for customers with unique radar proximity needs or specific regional preferences, Global Radar Layer can offer additional context.

NextGen™ Unified Precipitation: Advanced Capabilities 

The Tomorrow.io Global Space Precipitation product, designed for NextGen™ customers, integrates space-based data into the Unified Precipitation (UP) model. This enhancement provides several key advancements:

• Improved Accuracy: Forecast accuracy increases by 5-10%, addressing gaps in current models and public alternatives like IMERG-Early.
• Broader Coverage: Near real-time precipitation data is now accessible in areas with limited radar coverage, such as the Western US.
• Higher Resolution: The data offers a 5km spatial resolution, delivering more localized insights.
• Frequent Updates: Precipitation information is refreshed every 5 minutes to support time-sensitive decision-making.

These features are available exclusively for NextGen™ customers. For those not yet on NextGen™, the UP layer remains a robust and reliable option, with the opportunity to upgrade for additional capabilities by contacting your Account Team or sales@tomorrow.io.

Need Help?
For further assistance or questions about our Unified Precipitation or Global Radar Layer, contact us at support@tomorrow.io.