What's the fastest way to send data between two points? You might think of fiber optic cables, but HFT firms found a way to break that limit. They've been trading at the speed of light.

By using a network of microwave links, HFT firms can transmit stock prices between the CME and various esat coast exchanges within 2-3 ms instead of 6-7 ms with fiber optic.

However, this network can only work when its links are unimpeded. Like a microwave heating water in your food, precipitation interacts with the microwave signals, rendering them useless.

HFT Forecast uses forecasts from NOAA and overlaps that data with HFT microwave links sourced from FCC filings. Enough rain between critical towers, and traders must fall back to the slower fiber speeds.