WKU News

Louisville-based Climate Tech Firm Will Provide Data and Expertise for Student Learning

LOUISVILLE, KY –  Western Kentucky University students now have a new chance for hands-on learning about weather and climate, thanks to technology developed right here in the Bluegrass State.

Climavision, a Kentucky company on the global forefront of weather surveillance and AI-driven weather prediction, is investing in scientific education in the Commonwealth by making some of its cutting-edge technology available to Western Kentucky University (WKU) for teaching and research.  The company will provide access to archived data from its proprietary network, free of charge.  

The partnership was born out of longstanding relationships between Kentucky State Climatologist Jerry Brotzge, who is also on the WKU faculty, and members of Climavision’s leadership team.  Brotzge also supervises Kentucky’s Mesonet program, a network of ground-based weather sensors across the state, which has made him keenly aware of the value of enhanced weather observation tools like Climavision’s radar network. 

"We think it’s critically important for students in Earth Sciences and Meteorology to be aware of the tools private industry is bringing to the table," Brotzge stated. “This partnership will allow them to work directly with the data from some of those tools, so we’re grateful to Climavision for the experience.”

The academic aspects of the partnership will include a variety of educational initiatives, such as lectures and potentially field trips, designed to give WKU students practical insights into advanced atmospheric modeling, numerical weather prediction (NWP), and artificial intelligence applications in meteorology. This collaboration is expected to open new avenues for joint research projects and grant opportunities, further enriching the academic landscape at WKU.

While initial access will focus on Climavision's extensive archive data, the partnership holds the potential for future expansion to include live data feeds - allowing students to study weather as it’s developing in the moment.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that we equip the next generation of scientists with cutting-edge tools and real-world experience,” said Climavision CEO Chris Goode.  “This partnership is about more than classroom exposure to best-in-class technology - it’s a strategic investment in Kentucky’s future workforce and in building statewide capacity for innovation, resilience, and weather readiness.” 

Students will begin accessing the data and engaging with the experts from Climavision during the 2025 fall semester. WKU’s Earth, Environmental, and Atmospheric Sciences (EEAS) Department includes over 100 environmental and atmospheric science students and is among the largest such programs in the region.

About Climavision

Climavision brings together the power of a proprietary, high resolution supplemental weather radar network with its cutting-edge Horizon AI forecasting technology suite to close significant weather observation gaps and drastically improve forecast speed and accuracy. Climavision’s revolutionary approach to climate technology is poised to help reduce the economic risks of volatile weather on companies, governments, and communities alike. Climavision is backed by The Rise Fund, the world’s largest global impact platform committed to achieving measurable, positive social and environmental outcomes alongside competitive financial returns. The company is headquartered in Louisville, KY, with research and development operations in Raleigh, NC. To learn more, visit www.Climavision.com. 

Media contact:

Bill Shory

Fleur de Lis Communications

502.974.4332

Bill@FDLComms.com