Tomorrow.io to bring AI-powered weather forecasting to Filipino farmers

TOMORROW.IO, the global weather intelligence leader, headquartered in the United States, and a technology provider of U.S. agencies NOAA, NASA, and Department of Defense, has partnered with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) to help farmers adapt to volatile and challenging climate conditions and boost productivity using Artificial Intelligence in the Philippines.

WEATHER INTELLIGENCE LEADER Tomorrow.io is a global leader in weather-based satellite technology. PHOTO FROM TOMORROW.IO

In collaboration with the Department of Agriculture (DA), the partnership aims to transform how weather forecasting supports farming by leveraging Tomorrow.io's AI-driven models and proprietary network of low-orbit satellites. These satellites enable micro-weather forecasting at the plot level, allowing them to deliver precise and timely agronomy advice, such as when to apply pesticides or delay irrigation based on incoming rainfall.

"The Philippines, with its geographically complex archipelago and remote farming communities, faces unique weather forecasting challenges that traditional ground-based systems alone cannot address," said Shimon Elkabetz, co-founder and CEO of Tomorrow.io. "Our proprietary space-based satellite constellation was purpose-built to fill those coverage gaps and provide high-resolution, real-time weather intelligence across the country, even in the most hard-to-reach and underserved areas."

This joint effort comes at a critical time, with the southwest monsoon (habagat) already starting to affect various parts of the country, signaling the arrival of the rainy season.

MEASURING TROPICAL CYCLONES Super Typhoon Man-Yi: TMS temperature channels can be used to measure the warm core temperature of a tropical cyclone and infer its intensity. PHOTO FROM TOMORROW.IO

In 2024 alone, the agriculture sector suffered P57.78 billion in damages due to weather disturbances, affecting over 1.4 million farmers and fishers. It resulted in the loss of 2.19 million metric tons of production across nearly 1 million hectares, based on data from the DA's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center. These figures underscore the urgent need for climate-resilient practices and more effective forecasting tools.

"As the only global provider of this type of space-based weather technology, Tomorrow.io ensures truly national coverage. This allows for faster, more accurate early warnings, empowering farmers and local industries to make informed decisions during severe weather events," Elkabetz added.

By providing accurate, location-specific weather data, the initiative enables farmers to make informed decisions, manage inputs more efficiently, mitigate weather-related losses, and enhance yields even under increasingly unpredictable conditions.

REAL-TIME RESULTS Super Typhoon Man-Yi: Tomorrow-io produces real-time temperature and humidity profiles derived from microwave sounder data, with an accuracy of

Tomorrow.io collects global, high-resolution atmospheric data through its proprietary satellite constellation, which physics-based and AI-powered models then process to deliver highly accurate forecasts. This intelligence is then translated into predictive insights via a scalable software platform, enabling proactive risk management across multiple industries.

The weather forecasting firm's technology has already been tapped in various global development efforts, including with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation programs in Africa. In the Philippines, the licensing agreement allows Tomorrow.io to extend its services beyond agriculture to other critical sectors, such as shipping and aviation, where real-time weather data is vital for safety and efficiency.