The program evaluates providers using the ForecastWatch Awards Accuracy Score, a 0-to-100 scale that allows for reproducible year-over-year comparisons. To qualify, companies must submit 12 continuous months of data, with no entry fees or pay-to-play rankings involved in the selection process. CEO Eric Floehr noted that the move bridges the gap between measuring internal performance and providing consumers with clear confirmation of excellence.

Winners are categorized by market, region, and specific metrics like temperature or wind speed. For the 2026 inaugural class, Microsoft claimed top honors for 1-7 day consumer forecasts across all three monitored regions—North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Meanwhile, enterprise-focused firms like DTN and Wettermanufaktur dominated specialized categories, such as 24-hour wind and temperature projections. The full list of recipients is available on the company’s website, establishing a new independent benchmark for the industry.