R.M. Young Company and Western Weather Group Announce Joint Webinar on Wildfire Forecast Intelligence for Utilities
R.M. Young Company and Western Weather Group will host a joint educational webinar titled “Powering Safer Grids with Wildfire Forecast Intelligence + Rugged Weather Hardware” on February 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM Eastern. The live webinar is free to attend with advance registration. As wildfire risk continues to grow across utility service territories, accurate forecasting and dependable environmental data have become critical to grid safety, operational planning and Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) decision-making
Webinar attendees will learn how to:
- Apply wildfire forecast intelligence to utility operations and planning
- Use seasonal and short-term outlooks to support PSPS decisions and mitigation
strategies - Understand which environmental measurements most influence wildfire risk
- Recognize why sensor accuracy, durability, and uptime are critical in high-risk
zones - Connect forecasting, field data, and operations into decision-ready intelligence
Western Weather Group will present a 2026 wildfire outlook, highlighting how seasonal and day-ahead forecasts support mitigation planning, field safety and operational readiness. R.M. Young Company will then explore the role of rugged, field-proven weather instrumentation in providing the reliable ground-truth data that forecasting and operational decisions depend on—particularly in remote and wildfire-prone environments. Designed as an educational session, the webinar will help utilities better understand how forecasting, environmental measurement, and operational workflows intersect to support safer, more resilient grids.
About the Speakers:
Austin Patrick is a meteorologist at Western Weather Group based in Chico, California. Born in north-central Ohio, he pursued his interest in weather by earning a degree in Meteorology from Ohio University,followed by a degree in
Emergency Management. At Western Weather Group, Austin creates forecasts and manages private weather station data across California and other U.S. locations, supporting clients in the utility and energy sectors. His work focuses on
helping organizations interpret complex weather conditions and make informed operational decisions.
Conor Byrne leads the engineering department at R.M. Young Company, applying over 15 years of multidisciplinary engineering expertise to weather and environmental measurement solutions. He specializes in product development
and manufacturing, particularly for critically rugged and reliable technologies. Based in Traverse City, Michigan, Conor aims to leverage his technical expertise and a passion for problem-solving to transform how utilities manage wildfire risks through advanced forecasting and sensing solutions.
About Western Weather Group:
Western Weather Group (WWG) delivers precision weather monitoring, forecasting and risk-mitigation solutions for electric utilities, agriculture, and other weather-sensitive industries. For more than 20 years, WWG has combined durable, high-accuracy weather stations with decision-ready intelligence to help clients manage risk, improve performance and meet regulatory requirements. Headquartered in Chico, California, WWG provides end-to-end weather station solutions, from design and installation to calibration, data management, and ongoing support, enabling organizations to operate safely, efficiently and with confidence.
For information about Western Weather Group, visit westernwx.com.
About R.M Young Company:
Since 1964, R. M. Young Company has specialized in the development and manufacture of professional meteorological instruments. Renowned for their performance and reliability, YOUNG’s precision weather instruments have earned global acclaim, underpinned by exceptional customer support and over six decades of innovation and expertise. From the stormiest seas to the highest mountains, they are the trusted source for accurate and dependable weather measurements.
For information about R.M. Young Company, visit youngusa.com.
