Explore Independent Validation of Tomorrow.io’s Satellite Data
Operational since August 2024, Tomorrow.io’s growing global constellation of microwave sounder satellites has been evaluated by third-party experts, demonstrating significant advancements in global forecasting accuracy, coverage, and reliability.
About the Validation
- The Joint Center for Satellite Data Assimilation (JCSDA) – the U.S. government’s leading authority on satellite data assimilation – was tasked with independently validating the performance of Tomorrow.io’s space-based observations.
- Objective: To determine how assimilating Tomorrow.io’s microwave radiances into the JEDI-MPAS weather-prediction system affects forecast accuracy and operational stability.
- This rigorous evaluation ran from September 2024 to February 2025, using near-real-time data from Tomorrow.io’s first four satellites (TMS S1–S4).
What is JEDI-MPAS?
This validation leveraged JEDI-MPAS, a next-generation, U.S. government forecasting framework designed to evaluate the impact of new satellite data on global weather prediction:
- EDI (Joint Effort for Data-assimilation Integration) is a modern, open-source assimilation system developed by JCSDA to support NOAA, NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the Navy. Learn more here.
- MPAS-A (Model for Prediction Across Scales – Atmosphere) is a global, variable-resolution model built for advanced forecasting and research. Learn more here.
Results Summary
This validation represents the highest level of technical endorsement available for a commercial weather data source, delivered by the same institution leading next-generation forecasting system development for NOAA, NASA, USAF, and the U.S. Navy.
Forecast Accuracy Soars
Forecast skill improved measurably across all key atmospheric variables, including temperature, wind, and humidity
Consistent Global Gains
Performance gains were consistent across global domains, including data-sparse and challenging regions like the tropics
Assimilation Stability Maintained
Assimilation remained stable and repeatable throughout six months of testing
JEDI-MPAS Integration Complete
System compatibility confirmed, with full decoding, quality control, and ingestion pathways implemented within JEDI-MPAS