Extratropical Cyclone (Winter Storm) Models

Advance your risk management capabilities for winter storms with Verisk extratropical cyclone models.

Gain a realistic view of extratropical cyclone risk

Extratropical cyclones, also known as winter storms, are a meteorologically complex hazard with highly variable regional manifestations. Verisk models help you assess the risk, whether from a single storm or multiple storms clustered in space and time, including the most extreme events.

Understand how winter storms differ by location

Extratropical cyclones vary from place to place. Verisk models capture the considerable diversity in climate and seasonal storm intensity and frequency by region.

Consider differences in regional vulnerability

Verisk extratropical cyclone models account for the effect that regional wind hazard characteristics can have on local design levels, building code enforcement, and construction practices.

Capture the risk in the near-present climate

In a warmer climate, the area of damaging wind speeds within storms is likely to increase, and storm tracks are likely to shift poleward. Verisk models help you assess the potential impacts of seasonal variations in climate signals or for your own long-term view of climate change.

Features and capabilities

Hybrid modeling approach

Our hybrid approach leverages both numerical weather prediction (NWP), a physical model that captures the complex three-dimensional structure of winter storms spatially and temporally, and advanced statistical methods to create simulated storms grounded in reality.

Allowance for differences in regional and temporal wind vulnerability

Our extratropical cyclone models consider the effect that regional wind hazard characteristics can have on local design levels, building code enforcement, and construction practices.

Peril- and sub-peril-specific damage functions

Separate damage functions for sub-perils capture the different types of damage that ETCs can inflict. Sub-perils include wind for all models, precipitation and temperature for Canada and US models, and storm surge for Great Britain.