Behind the scenes of a rain alert.
“Rain starts in 17 minutes” doesn't come from a single source. Behind the curtain, live data streams, physical models and AI work together. Here's the whole process, step by step.
The sky is watched second by second
The Watchman never sleeps. Live radar imagery, satellite data and atmospheric signals (cloud development, lightning activity, humidity and wind profiles) are collected simultaneously. We never trust a single source: every signal is cross-validated against the others.
- Live radar: instant position and intensity of rain cells
- Satellite: cloud development and direction of movement
- Atmospheric signals: lightning, humidity, wind and more
Cells are tracked, their future computed
The position, speed, direction and growth/decay trend of every rain cell is continuously computed with physical-mathematical models. We use short-term forecasting (nowcasting) methods proven in the academic literature: where is the cell heading, will it grow on the way, will it dissipate?
- Cell tracking: every cloud cluster's route is mapped
- Physical models: speed, direction and development computed numerically
- Academic methods: techniques validated by international research
AI interprets like an expert
Raw computation isn't enough — the sky is complex. The AI layer merges all sources and computations into a single picture, like an expert meteorologist: it distinguishes growing from decaying cells, filters misleading signals, and decides whether rain will actually fall on your spot.
- Conflicting signals resolved with expert logic
- Misleading echoes and noise filtered out
- Decision: start time + intensity + confidence level
Right on time — and only when needed
When rain approaches your spot, the notification arrives: when it starts, how intense it will be, and how confident the system is. For nearby cells you get a start-time estimate up to 45 minutes ahead; for cells still far away you get early information on their position, direction and development, without a time yet — both live radar and AI analysis feed this alert. Driving? The notification also lands on your Android Auto screen. No spam — the Watchman only speaks when it has something to say.
- Start-time estimates up to 45 minutes ahead for nearby cells
- Early info for distant cells: position, direction and development
- Intensity + expected duration; notifications on the Android Auto screen
It learns from every rain.
The system never stands still. The outcome of every alert is measured: did the rain really start, how accurate was it? Missed and mistaken cases are analyzed; with an AI-driven improvement loop and the world's latest academic research, its accuracy keeps growing. Good today — better tomorrow.