Summer living in northern Ontario is great...glorious sunsets, clean air, lots of outdoor activities, and evenings by an outdoor fire.
If it weren't for those pesky mosquitoes!
With mosquitoes being at the top of Canadians' minds this summer, OFF! insect repellent partnered with Google Cloud and Climate Engine to introduce OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast for predicting mosquito populations up to seven days in advance.
Here's North Bay's seven-day forecast.
See your latest local forecast here.
Dr. Tom Mascari, is the Principal Entomologist at SC Johnson.
"Prevention is the best form of protection against mosquitoes, which may carry diseases,” said Dr. Mascari. "Summer's warmth and humidity create an ideal environment for mosquitoes to thrive and while only female mosquitoes bite, they can be extremely persistent. Beyond the itchy bites, mosquitoes can transmit diseases such as West Nile virus, making it essential to protect your family during mosquito season.”
"OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast exemplifies how technology can provide essential information to help Canadians protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases and foster a more proactive and informed approach to health care," said Sam Sebastian, VP, Google Cloud Canada.
How OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast Works
The OFF!Cast Mosquito Forecast™ aggregates data from various sources to offer consumers a projection of mosquito activity in their area.
"Leveraging a secure Google Cloud environment and Google Earth Engine, the forecast integrates billions of individual weather data points," says a news release. "An algorithm, developed in collaboration with the SC Johnson Center for Insect Science and Family Health and Climate Engine experts, translates this weather data into actionable mosquito insights. The resulting seven-day forecast, colour-coded for clarity, aligns with the mosquito lifecycle, from egg laying to potential human interaction."