Novel Personal Thermal Comfort Models for Weather-Ready Decision-Making

In this Phase II project, we will demonstrate a prototype in an operationally-relevant environment for Climatize®, a cloud-based software platform with the novel capability to determine and deliver user-specific thermal comfort information for weather-ready decision-making. People and organizations in a Weather-Ready Nation adapt to weather changes and environmental events with resilience. A challenge of building a Weather-Ready Nation is delivering actionable information that is meaningful based on users’ unique physiology, psychology, behavior, and location. For the first time, outdoor enthusiasts and workers will receive weather forecasts personalized through the lens of thermal comfort, the state of mind and physical sensation associated with the thermal environment. This shift in perspective surpasses hyperlocal forecasts by putting each consumer at the center of the weather universe. Climatize has the potential to unlock valuable benefits consistent with NOAA’s long-term goals, objectives, and science and technology focus areas, such as new opportunities for citizen science, reduced injury and loss of life, a more productive economy, and more resilient communities adaptive to their environment.