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Visit Weather Data
YardPilot automatically captures weather conditions when visits start, giving you valuable data for reporting and analysis.
How It Works
When a team member starts a visit, YardPilot automatically:
- Gets the property location (latitude/longitude)
- Fetches current weather from WeatherAPI.com
- Stores the conditions with the visit record
No manual entry required - it happens automatically in the background.
Data Captured
Each visit records:
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Current temperature in Celsius | 28.5°C |
| Precipitation | Rainfall in millimetres | 2.4mm |
| Wind direction | Compass direction | NE (Northeast) |
| Wind speed | Speed in km/h | 15 km/h |
| Condition | General weather description | Partly cloudy |
Viewing Visit Weather
On the Visit Detail
When viewing a completed visit:
- Open the visit from the schedule or job
- Look for the Weather section in visit details
- See captured conditions at time of visit start
In Reports
Weather data can be included in:
- Visit completion reports - See conditions for each visit
- Job reports - Weather across all visits for a job
- Export data - Weather fields included in CSV exports
Use Cases
Performance Analysis
Compare job completion times against weather:
- Did extreme heat slow down work?
- How did wet conditions affect productivity?
- Use data to adjust time estimates for weather conditions
Customer Communication
Reference weather in customer communications:
"During our visit on Tuesday, we noted wet conditions (12mm rainfall). This may affect the treatment settling time."
Dispute Resolution
Weather data provides objective records:
- Prove conditions at time of service
- Document why certain work couldn't be completed
- Support rescheduling decisions
Seasonal Planning
Analyse weather patterns over time:
- Which months have most weather disruptions?
- How does weather impact revenue?
- Plan staffing around weather patterns
Data Requirements
For weather to be captured:
- Property must have coordinates - The property needs latitude/longitude (geocoded address)
- Visit must be started - Weather captures when "Start Visit" is tapped
- Internet connection - Device needs connectivity to fetch weather
Missing Weather Data
If a visit doesn't have weather data:
| Reason | Solution |
|---|---|
| Property not geocoded | Edit property, save address to trigger geocoding |
| Visit completed without starting | Use "Start Visit" button before beginning work |
| No internet at start time | Weather cannot be captured retroactively |
| Weather service unavailable | Rare; visit still records without weather |
Privacy & Data
- Weather is public data - no personal information involved
- Data is stored with your visit records
- Only your company can see your visit weather data
- Weather provider (WeatherAPI.com) does not receive customer information
Reporting Examples
Weather Impact Report
Track how weather affects operations:
Month: November 2024
---------------------------------
Visits with rain: 23 (15%)
Visits over 35°C: 8 (5%)
Average temp: 26°C
Wettest day: Nov 12 (45mm)Visit with Weather Context
Visit: V-0234
Property: 123 Main St, Brisbane
Date: 15 Nov 2024, 9:30 AM
Weather at start:
- Temperature: 24°C
- Conditions: Partly cloudy
- Wind: 12 km/h NW
- Precipitation: 0mm
Duration: 45 minutes
Outcome: CompletedLimitations
- Weather captured at visit start only - conditions may change during the visit
- Requires geocoded properties - properties without coordinates won't capture weather
- Not retroactive - cannot add weather data to past visits
- Weather data is approximate - based on nearest weather station, may differ from exact location
Future Enhancements
Planned features for weather data:
- Weather alerts for extreme conditions
- Automatic rescheduling suggestions
- Weather-adjusted efficiency calculations for P4P
- Weather filters in reporting
Next Steps
- Schedule Weather - View forecasts when planning
- Visit Completion - Learn about the visit workflow
