A private sector weather forecaster has started a three-week service for its customers, principally farmers and builders. WeatherCall Plus claims improved computer models make it possible to predict weather patterns over a longer period than was previously judged possible.
Mr Tom Higgins, WeatherCall's chief forecaster, said yesterday the three-week forecast could not be relied upon to the same extent as forecasts for shorter periods, but he believed the predictions were sufficiently accurate to warrant making them available commercially.
Mr Tom Sheridan, of Met Eireann's commercial department, said the most powerful computer model available in the world for weather forecasting could not give an accurate forecast beyond, at most, seven days.
Mr Higgins said: "Of course, we'll get it wrong sometimes, but I believe we'll get it right more often than we'll get it wrong.
"And when you talk about weather predictions that go out to three weeks, that's some achievement."
Mr Higgins, who is based in Manor Kilbride, Co Wicklow, said his commercial operation was hindered by a refusal of Met Eireann to sell him services. He said he was buying forecasting services from the British Met Office and the US National Weather service.
WeatherCall Plus is available by dialling 1570 122 944. Calls are charged at £1 a minute.