Google launches advanced AI system for faster and more accurate weather forecasts

Google has introduced a new artificial intelligence-powered weather forecasting system designed to provide faster more detailed and accurate predictions around the world.

Google has introduced a new artificial intelligence-powered weather forecasting system designed to provide faster more detailed and accurate predictions around the world.

Developed by Google DeepMind and Google Research Weather NeXT 3 is described as a next-generation global weather forecasting model that uses artificial intelligence to improve the speed and quality of weather predictions.

According to the details, Weather NeXT 3 uses live imagery from geostationary satellites along with data collected from weather stations on the ground. The system reduces reliance on traditional numerical forecasting methods, which can be slower and require significant computing resources.

The new model is capable of producing updated weather forecasts every hour. It offers a spatial resolution of up to 5 kilometres, providing considerably more detailed information than its predecessor. More frequent updates could help users and authorities better monitor rapidly changing weather conditions including storms weather fronts and other severe events.

Weather NeXT 3 also provides high-resolution information about temperature and humidity near the Earth’s surface at a resolution of up to 5 kilometres while wind measurements are available at a resolution of up to 10 kilometres.

One of the key improvements is rainfall forecasting. According to Google, the system can reduce error metrics for important rainfall prediction measures by up to 50% compared with traditional numerical weather models.

The technology could also support the growing clean-energy sector. Weather NeXT 3 can provide specialised information for grid operators and renewable-energy companies, including wind speeds at the height of 100-metre turbines cloud conditions at different altitudes and solar radiation levels.

Google says Weather NeXT 3 is already being integrated into several of its products and services, including Google Search, Gemini, Google Maps, Google Maps Platform Weather API and Google Earth Engine.

The update is also expected to improve forecasts used for planning a day or more in advance. Google says users could see up to 50% greater accuracy in rainfall predictions with the biggest benefits expected in regions where weather forecasts have historically been less reliable.