EXPERIMENT 3: WEATHER
Our third experiment, inspired by an emailed query, will investigate 7-day weather forecasts. High/low temperatures and condition forecasts shall be recorded seven (7) days in advance from three separate internet weather resources (AccuWeather, MSN Weather and The Weather Channel). These values will then be compared to the National Weather Service’s official records for that day. A survey of five far-flung US locations will hopefully aid us in the following questions:
What percentage of 7-day forecasts are accurate?
Are large metropolitcan areas more accurately served than small rural districts?
Is there an accuracy bias in terms of geographical region within the US?
Which internet weather service most accurately predicts the weather seven (7) days in advance?
Is there any use-value to the 7-day forecast? At Rare Knowledge Unlimited, it is not as if we plan our wardrobe a week early and then hold ourselves to sunny-skies-wear when it is very obviously pouring cats and dogs. What purpose, then, does the 7-day forecast serve? It is highly plausible that such data exists to instill confidence in the specific weather service. Some providers even offer “Month” forecasts. We seek to discover if these services are founded in science or sheer elemental prophecy.