EDISON — While the weather is everyone’s business, Jeff Thompson of Edison has made that business into a career with Exclusive Weather LLC.
Just as some have personal chefs and trainers, Thompson is a personal meteorologist for those who want a precise determination of conditions for a specific location, day or time.
“We’re trying to cater to more personalized meteorology services for individuals and businesses, and offer them solutions beyond the way everyone normally gets the weather,” Thompson said. “We’ve come to an age where everybody gets it via the Internet or via smartphone. … So many times you go to 10 different sites and can get 10 different forecasts, and that really doesn’t help somebody when weather is really critical to them. You waste a lot of time searching and still don’t know which is correct.”
Exclusive Weather, based in the Iselin section of Woodbridge, specializes in personalized weather forecasting and consultation to individuals and businesses to help limit weather risks, and maximize scheduling and planning efficiency. Thompson offers short- or longterm, personalized, confidential services for all budgets.
A U.S. Navy veteran with a Bachelor of Science in meteorology from Northern Illinois University, Thompson has been providing global weather forecasting, analysis and advice to businesses and traders in the commodities markets for 13 years. He expanded his services to the general public in September 2012.
According to Thompson, his services range from providing peace of mind for brides and grooms to travel planning, event planning and year-round weather services for school administrators, personal assistants, executives, celebrities and anyone with a stake in the weather.
“A personal meteorologist who has been in the field and has done this for a long time can provide you with the answers that you need very quickly, and it gives you the peace of mind to know that it’s coming from a trained professional and it’s probably right,” Thompson said.
While Thompson doesn’t guarantee that he is always correct, he said his expertise in reading the various weather models and analyzing patterns and probabilities gives his clients a more reliable determination than forecasts geared toward a more general area.
“It’s a very difficult business,” he said. “There is not 100 percent accuracy in any of the sciences, and meteorology is no exception. We are bound by the limits of our forecast models, so basically it comes down to experience looking at these models for years and years.”
Thompson noted that graphics on Internet applications can be misleading, often posting an image of a bright sun or a cloud with rain pouring down, which leads users to believe the entire day’s weather will be a certain way, even though it can change throughout the day.
He said each region goes through ups and downs, and Thompson utilizes climatology, statistics and weather patterns to advise his clients for long-range planning.
“When you get into a longer range, it’s more of a general forecast,” he said.
But as the target date gets closer, detailed accuracy is increased.
“We can’t change the weather, but your personal meteorologist can tell you what to expect and help you plan,” Thompson said.
Those planning outdoor events use his forecasts to determine if tents and umbrellas should be provided for guests, according to Thompson. One bride and groom followed his advice to set up a tent but not to put up the walls, because the winds would be calm and the showers light that day — and he was correct, he said. They were pleased to have peace of mind that their outdoor event would not be ruined, he added.
Thompson has also helped guide people stuck at the airport due to weather to find the best solution for their situation, and his forecasts have helped school administrators and business owners determine if they should close or call for a delayed opening during a weatherrelated emergency, he said.
“We don’t have a one-product-fits-all format,” Thompson said. “If a business is interested in having meteorological services at their disposal, they contact us, we meet to discuss what their needs are — and we go from there.”
Each report is personalized depending on a client’s needs, the frequency of the reports, how much detail they want and how they want to receive weather reports, such as direct contact via texts or calls at a moment’s notice.
“Our goal is to prepare you for the weather that’s coming and make it as stress-free as possible,” Thompson said.