Offaly weatherman set to launch series of innovative services

Offaly native Cathal Nolan, founder of the popular online forecast service, Ireland's Weather Channel, is preparing to launch a range of innovative services.

Launching on Monday, September 1, the new offerings will include a subscription service for followers and a personalised forecasting service tailored to business owners and farmers. These services will deliver localised weather forecasts to assist with seasonal planning, events, and day-to-day operations.

Nolan founded Ireland's Weather Channel 13 years ago as an alternative to the national service Met Éireann. Now, with the backing of an investor from the West of Ireland, the channel is preparing to expand significantly.

“Our new subscription service will be predominantly for anybody who's been a follower of our channel for the last 13 years,” Cathal said.

“It’s an extra layer for those who want to support us, and it’s also aimed at members of the agriculture community, the sector most impacted by severe weather conditions.”

Alongside the subscription model, the channel is introducing a personalised forecasting service geared at businesses and event organisers.

“This service will provide really localised forecasts and conditions. For businesses, we’re able to offer the most competitive prices for private forecasting in Ireland, while giving clients real security in terms of how the weather will impact their operations.”

Cathal added that while Ireland has been behind on persoanlised forecasting, he hopes his new services will bring the country up to scratch with the global market.

"In most of the countries there are domestic weather services that operate privately. Ireland is probably an exception, we will be the first to be an independent forecast service. We have seen it work very successfully in other countries, especially in the US and UK, and we're looking forward to bringing those services to Ireland."

One of the most exciting additions is Ireland’s first storm-chasing vehicle, developed in partnership with a specialist vehicle manufacturer.

“It will be fully equipped with weather instrumentation to broadcast live from inside some of the very worst conditions,” Cathal said. “We’re essentially taking you into the heart of the storm without any of the concern for the general public.”

The vehicle will also provide valuable data to help insurers, builders and communities prepare for future storms.

“We’ll take that vehicle into the very worst conditions to ensure that future infrastructure is based on the most accurate readings of extreme Irish weather.”

Subscribers can also expect daily studio-quality forecasts, monthly newsletters, educational insights, exclusive weather warnings, and access to a new biweekly podcast.

“We really are dealing with a very established platform in Patreon, so there’s security there for anybody wishing to sign up, it’s tried and trusted,” Cathal said.

“Pricing will range from €4.99 per month for those on annual subscriptions up to €7.99 for month-by-month users, but it will be no more than that.”

He emphasised that the subscription fee will support the continued growth of Ireland's Weather Channel, ensuring followers receive the best weather information possible.

“Many people have supported Ireland's Weather Channel from the beginning, and this is just another option for those who are interested.”