FIDIC Unforeseeable Climatic Conditions Claims
Objective weather evidence for FIDIC Clause 8.5 claims. Statistical foreseeability analysis using 45+ years of historical data. Global coverage for international projects.
Understanding FIDIC Clause 8.5
Under FIDIC, contractors may claim extensions of time when encountering "Unforeseeable" climatic conditions that adversely affect the works. The key test is whether conditions could have been foreseen by an experienced contractor at the time of tender.
This foreseeability test is inherently data-driven. An experienced contractor would be expected to review historical weather records for the site location. If actual conditions fall well outside the historical distribution, they are demonstrably unforeseeable — and WeatherWise provides the objective data to prove it.
What Counts as Unforeseeable Climatic Conditions
The FIDIC foreseeability test asks whether an experienced contractor could have anticipated the conditions based on available data.
Statistically Rare Rainfall
Rainfall events that fall outside the historical distribution for the site and season. WeatherWise quantifies exactly how rare the event was relative to 45+ years of records.
Unprecedented Wind Events
Wind speeds or sustained wind events that exceed what historical records would indicate as foreseeable for the location and time of year.
Extreme Temperature Events
Heatwaves, prolonged freezing, or temperature swings that fall well outside the historical norm for the region, especially on tropical or arid-region projects.
Tropical Storm and Cyclone Events
Severe weather systems on international projects where the intensity or timing departs significantly from historical patterns at the site location.
Unusual Seasonal Patterns
Monsoon seasons that arrive early, last longer, or are more intense than historical records indicate. WeatherWise tracks seasonal patterns across decades of data.
Compound Weather Events
Combinations of weather variables — such as heat and humidity, or rain and wind — that together create conditions outside what historical data would suggest as foreseeable.
How WeatherWise Supports FIDIC Claims
From objective historical baselines to dispute-ready evidence packages for international projects.
Historical Baseline
Establishes the objective baseline from 45+ years of ERA-5 data at your site coordinates, defining what an experienced contractor could foresee.
Statistical Analysis
Quantifies the rarity of actual conditions against the historical distribution, demonstrating that weather fell outside the foreseeable range.
Impact Assessment
Links weather events to affected activities, demonstrating how unforeseeable conditions adversely impacted the works and caused delay.
Evidence Reports
Professional PDF reports formatted for FIDIC dispute resolution, including DAAB proceedings and international arbitration.
Evidence Requirements for FIDIC Climatic Claims
The key evidence elements needed to support a FIDIC unforeseeable climatic conditions claim.
Proof of Unforeseeability
Objective data demonstrating that conditions fell outside what an experienced contractor could reasonably have foreseen. WeatherWise provides the statistical analysis against 45+ years of data.
Objective Weather Data
Reliable, site-specific weather records from a recognised data source. WeatherWise uses ERA-5 reanalysis data — the gold standard for historical climate records.
Historical Comparison
Clear comparison of actual conditions against the historical record for the site. WeatherWise provides visualisations and statistics showing where actual conditions fall in the distribution.
Impact on Works
Evidence that the climatic conditions adversely affected the works. WeatherWise links weather events to activity-specific thresholds and programme impact.
Timely Notification
FIDIC requires timely notice of claims. WeatherWise alerts flag adverse conditions as they occur, supporting compliance with notification requirements under the contract.
Global Coverage
FIDIC contracts are used worldwide. WeatherWise provides data for any location on Earth, with the same 45+ year historical baseline regardless of geography.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Book a demo and we'll walk you through it.
What constitutes "Unforeseeable" climatic conditions under FIDIC?▾
How does WeatherWise test foreseeability?▾
Does it work for international projects?▾
What FIDIC editions are covered?▾
Can I generate reports for adjudicators?▾
Explore More
Start Building Your FIDIC Evidence Trail Today
No card required. Global coverage with 45+ years of historical climate data at any site location.