Rain Or Shine: How Weather-Activated Billboards Are a Game-Changer for Advertisers

When weather shifts, so do buying habits. From cold snaps to heatwaves, consumers adjust their plans (and their purchases) based on the forecast.

Weather-activated billboards use that insight to trigger specific ads to play. So, when the forecast calls for rain, your ad for waterproof sneakers can pop up, as if on cue.

The smart brands know how to use weather-triggered DOOH ads to their advantage and Blindspot can make it even easier to implement them in your next campaign.

It’s a smarter way to run a DOOH ad campaign and it can drive performance, boost relevance and scale without friction.

Getting Started with Weather-Triggered DOOH

Weather-triggered DOOH isn’t complicated, at least not with us.

Blindspot makes it super easy to set up a contextual campaign in just a few steps.

It’s a smarter way to run campaigns—and it grows with you.

Real World Tips

People crave relevance. 80% of consumers say they’re more likely to notice ads that reflect what’s happening around them. And when ads feel personal, trust goes up—by as much as 35%. That’s not just good for your brand; it’s good for your bottom line.

• Know Which Weather Moves Your Market
  • Not every product or service is affected by all weather types. Does rain boost sales for your umbrellas or waterproof gear? What about curtains or sunscreen?Does heat drive demand for cold drinks or sunscreen? Focus your triggers on weather that genuinely influences your customers’ behavior.
• Test Different Weather Conditions
  • Don’t limit yourself to just rain or sun. Consider humidity, wind, pollen levels, or even sudden temperature drops. Experiment to see which triggers generate the strongest response.
• Pair Weather Triggers with Other Context
  • On that note, Combine weather data with traffic patterns, time of day, or local events for even more precision. For instance, if you’re selling a stress-reliever like a nice cold beer or a spa, showing your message when it’s both hot and at the peak of rush hours is likely to be even more effective.
• Match Creative Tone to Weather Mood
  • Sunny days call for upbeat, energetic ads. Rainy days might work better with cozy, comforting messaging. Align your brand voice to the feeling the weather creates.
• Be Ready to Pivot
  • Weather can be unpredictable. Have backup creative or flexible budgets so you can shift your campaigns on short notice without missing opportunities.

Benefits of Contextual Advertising

Contextual advertising offers several benefits that make it a standout choice for advertisers looking to boost campaign performance. By displaying ads related to the content of a web page, contextual advertising increases the chances that users will find the ads engaging and relevant. This relevance not only improves user experience but also leads to higher click-through rates and better campaign results.

Another major advantage is cost-effectiveness. Since contextual advertising doesn’t require collecting or analyzing personal user data, it reduces both costs and privacy concerns. Advertisers can reach their target audience without relying on third party cookies or invasive tracking methods. This approach also enhances brand safety, as ads are shown alongside appropriate content, minimizing the risk of negative associations.

With real-time data and insights, advertisers can make informed decisions and quickly adjust their strategies for maximum impact. In a world where data privacy is top of mind, contextual advertising offers a future-proof solution that delivers results without compromising user trust.

Numbers To Know

• A major coffee chain saw a 20% sales jump during cold snaps by running “Warm Up Here” ads.
• A sports retailer moved 15% more rain jackets with storm-triggered billboards.
• Beverage brands have reported up to 22% sales spikes during heatwaves with real-time DOOH.
• 90% of people recall weather-activated ads versus 65% for generic ones.
• A Molson Coors campaign used ice-cold imagery in their creative on hot, sunny days to increase their CTR by 89%

Want even more practical tips on how to use weather-contextual triggers to maximize your next ad’s effectiveness? Check out our helpful guide on the topic here.