Naver adds hiking weather forecasts for 301 mountains, by trail and start time
In short
Naver has introduced a 'hiking theme weather' service that gives ultra-short-term forecasts for 301 major mountains in South Korea based on each mountain's coordinates. Users pick a trail from Naver Map and a departure time to see how temperature, wind and precipitation are expected to change along each section of the hike. It is the sixth themed weather service from Naver, which said it now covers 868 locations in total.
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Naver has introduced a 'hiking theme weather' service that provides weather information for 301 major mountains across South Korea, the company said on October 8, ahead of the autumn foliage season. Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo reported that the service launched in September. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Instead of using forecasts for the wider administrative district where a mountain sits, the service gives ultra-short-term forecasts based on each mountain's coordinates. Users choose a hiking course registered on Naver Map and a departure time, and can then see section by section how temperature, wind and precipitation are expected to change during the hike. Asia Economy reported that Naver reprocessed Naver Map's hiking course data to match hourly forecasts. Naver said it is the first service in the country to give weather by course and departure time. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The service also shows sunrise times and seasonal scenery information such as the timing of autumn foliage and flowering, which users can use to plan hikes and outings. Newsis reported that Naver plans to extend seasonal scenery information to other themes. [ 1 , 2 ]
Hiking is the sixth themed weather service from Naver. According to Asia Economy, the company started with baseball stadiums in August last year, added theme parks and ski resorts in December, football stadiums in February and golf courses in April. Themed weather now covers 868 locations, including 495 golf courses, 30 football stadiums and 20 baseball stadiums. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Cumulative themed weather subscriptions stood at about 213,000 at the end of last month, up from about 73,000 in January. Newsis described this as a 2.9-fold increase and Asia Economy as nearly three times in eight months. Jamsil Baseball Stadium was the most subscribed location, with about 25,000 subscriptions. [ 1 , 2 ]
Kim Hye-jin, a leader at Naver, told Asia Economy that Naver Weather had developed beyond quick and accurate forecasts to offer customised weather-related information. Unlike other themes with seasonal demand, hiking draws demand all year round, she said, adding that Naver plans to add a sea fishing theme within the year to cover major outdoor activities. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The service extends Naver's themed weather offering, whose cumulative subscriptions reached about 213,000 at the end of last month, up from about 73,000 in January, according to the company's figures. Naver said it plans to add a sea fishing theme within the year to cover major outdoor activities.
Key facts
- Naver's 'hiking theme weather' service covers 301 major mountains nationwide. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Forecasts are ultra-short-term and based on each mountain's coordinates rather than the surrounding administrative district. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Users select a hiking course registered on Naver Map and a departure time to see section-by-section temperature, wind and precipitation. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The service also shows sunrise times and the timing of autumn foliage and flowering. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Hiking is Naver's sixth themed weather service, after baseball stadiums, theme parks, ski resorts, football stadiums and golf courses. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Naver's themed weather now covers 868 locations, including 495 golf courses, 30 football stadiums and 20 baseball stadiums. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Cumulative themed weather subscriptions were about 213,000 at the end of last month, up from about 73,000 in January; Jamsil Baseball Stadium was the most subscribed location with about 25,000. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Naver plans to add a sea fishing theme within the year. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The service covers 301 major mountains and uses coordinate-based ultra-short-term forecasts. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Users can check weather by section according to the hiking course and departure time they choose. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Hiking is the sixth theme in Naver's themed weather service. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Naver's themed weather covers 868 locations in total. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Cumulative subscriptions reached about 213,000 at the end of last month, compared with about 73,000 in January. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Naver plans to add a sea fishing theme within the year. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the service is the first in South Korea to give forecasts by course and departure time. This is Naver's own claim as reported; no outlet checked it independently.
- The exact launch date of the hiking service. Asia Economy and Chosun Ilbo say it launched in September, while Naver announced it on October 8; no exact day is given.
- When the sea fishing theme will launch. Naver said only that it would be added within the year.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Newsis reports Naver's launch of hiking theme weather for 301 mountains. [ 1 ]
- Asia Economy reports the launch with subscription figures and a comment from Naver's Kim Hye-jin. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the service launched in September as Naver's sixth theme. [ 3 ]
- Chosun Ilbo publishes a second report on the service. [ 4 ]