As extreme weather conditions continue to become more common, it’s now more important than ever to leverage every tool available to try and predict these life-changing events. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the main tools that have been introduced into the equation as a way to improve weather analysis, and the results have been impressive. Today, multiple AI systems in operation can predict weather with a higher accuracy than previously used methods. Here’s how these AI systems can grow our understanding of hurricanes and what it means for you.
It’s Not Your Grandparents’ Hurricanes
The earth’s climate has intensified over the last few decades, and data shows this trend is set to continue. Over the last few years, several major category 5 hurricanes have caused billions in damage and injured and killed thousands. As such, the demand for accurate and more capable hurricane prediction methods has increased.
Predicting Hurricanes – Current Methods
There have been significant advancements in weather forecasting ever since the integration of computer modeling. Every year, these systems improve and today, the world enjoys a much higher level of accuracy when it comes to weather reporting than any of the previous generations could have imagined.
For example, today’s National Hurricane Center (NHC), the leading hurricane experts, can predict storms more accurately in a three-day window than systems could in 24 hours 40 years ago. Additionally, your weekly forecast is more accurate by a day. This added accuracy can be attributed to more powerful computer models that can examine lots of data and make predictions based on what the information dictates.
Damage Caused From Hurricanes
There are some downsides to the current methods used to predict hurricanes. For one, they require massive computing power and a large network of sensors and systems professionals to operate. Additionally, they are very sensitive to any faulty data such as miscommunicating sensors. Lastly, these systems are expensive to own, operate, and integrate into other networks. Thankfully, recent advancements in AI could help solve these problems and usher in a new age of hurricane awareness.
How AI Can Play a Role in Understanding Hurricanes
AI is set to play a crucial role in unraveling many of the mysteries surrounding why hurricanes form, where they will appear, and their projected paths. AI neural networks and Machine Learning protocols are both well suited to the task. In particular, AI neural networks are modeled after the human brain, allowing them to register new info and learn from it.
Predict Patterns
These AI systems are excellent at determining hard-to-see patterns. As such, they can take historical weather data, scan it for any correlations, and repeat actions. These systems are extremely thorough. They can connect patterns and see associated and related actions that a human would never be capable of noticing. As such, it can examine historical data and assemble new models based on its findings.
AI Hurricanes – Prediction System Benefits
There are many efficient AI hurricane prediction algorithms in use today and for good reasons. For one, they lower costs across the board. AI protocols can predict with high accuracy when and where a hurricane will emerge and end without the need of a meteorologist, or other expense. Additionally, AI systems can run on less computational power versus the massive systems in place today.
Accuracy
AI hurricane prediction models are far more accurate than even the best computational models in place today. These systems gain the advantage of being able to connect very hard-to-see and seemingly unrelated events to gain a deep understanding of the environment before and during hurricane events.
Better Warning Systems
This technology will help improve hurricane warning systems in the future. Every minute counts when predicting these massive weather events that can often lead to communities being destroyed and thousands left without shelter. Improved warning systems give people and businesses more time to prepare or leave the area when that’s the best option.
Damage Mitigation
Another major benefit of improving warning times is better damage mitigation. When a city knows that a hurricane will arrive with days to prepare, the government and residents can take all possible actions to mitigate risks and losses. AI systems provide this capability without increasing operating costs.
Why AI Hurricane Prediction Models are Crucial for the Global Economy
Economists understand that the weather plays a vital role in the health and capabilities of the global markets. When an industry is caught off guard by adverse weather it can result in massive losses, supply chain disruptions, and sometimes a complete failure of the markets. Advanced AI warning systems enable businesses to proactively address weather-related challenges and make informed decisions based on market dynamics.
Logistics
The logistics sector is the perfect example of a trillion-dollar industry that relies heavily on hurricane prediction software. The average product travels +1000 miles to the consumer today. As such, logistic supply lines are the lifeblood of the economy. AI systems can help to protect these networks and enable them to avoid disruption by providing early warning of hurricane threats with enough time to reroute and adjust.
Agriculture
The agricultural sector is another major component of the market that requires up-to-date weather forecasting to remain profitable. Farmers around the world understand that there are several steps they can take to minimize loss when facing hurricanes. Notably, each of these options improves as the prediction time increases. Consequently, the agricultural sector seeks to improve AI hurricane prediction models globally.
AI Systems Already Making Waves in the Weather Forecast Industry
The pivot towards AI weather forecast systems has been spearheaded by a variety of interesting projects. Each of the AI-powered prediction systems listed integrates proprietary models and data from trusted sources to improve the current hurricane early warning systems used by most people today. Here are the top AI-powered weather prediction projects you should know.
Graphcast
Graphcast is one of the best-known AI-powered weather prediction protocols available. The project entered the market in 2023. Notably, it’s an open-source protocol developed by Google DeepMind engineers. The system is extremely accurate and was programmed utilizing +40 years of historical weather data provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 reanalysis archive. This information was combined with High-Resolution Forecast (HRES) data to create a powerful AI algorithm.
Impressively, Graphcast can predict hurricane formations and landfall accurately up to 10 days in advance. The system can also predict river overflow and flood risks. For example, it successfully predicted Hurricane Lee’s landfall in Nova Scotia Canada a full 3 days before any other models.
Spire High-Resolution Forecast
The Spire AI prediction system combines a variety of real-time data that includes +100 satellite imagery, ocean wind recordings, soil moisture data, and more to accurately predict hurricanes. Spire is one of only a few AI forecast firms that offer real-time global weather prediction up to 6 days in advance.
One of the coolest things about the Spires forecast is that it’s easily integrated into other applications via an API protocol. This structure means that developers can leverage the accurate and timely weather predictions provided by the AI without the need to add additional coding to their projects. This approach has helped Spires gain positioning in the market.
Climavision
Climavision is another AI project that has raised eyebrows in the sector. The AI system integrates real-time data from weather satellites, weather stations, and ocean buoys to provide accurate hurricane warnings. This model is one of the most advanced as it also registers atmospheric pressure, temperature, humidity, and wind patterns as part of its prediction model.
Climavision engineers state that its AI is far more accurate than the current gold standard. To accomplish this task, the engineers created new AI algorithms called Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models. These systems enable anyone to access both immediate and long-term weather forecasts.
Companies that Could Dominate the AI Hurricanes Forecast Market
Several projects seek to become the main contenders in the AI weather provider race. If successful, their data would be extremely valuable to users and help position the company as the dominant force in the industry. Here’s one example that has the potential to accomplish this task.
International Business Machine ‘IBM’
IBM (International Business Machine) Corp (IBM +0.86%) is one of the most respected names in tech. The company has its hands in a variety of markets ranging from personal computers to cloud hosting and everything in between. The IBM weather forecast project has been in operation for years, with its first AI model, IBM Watson, advertising Weather Analytics in 2022.
International Business Machines Corporation (IBM +0.86%)
Recently, IBM and NASA signed a strategic partnership to develop advanced weather forecast models. The agreement provides IBM engineers with direct access to NASA’s treasure trove of weather data, enabling them to train the most powerful AI prediction model yet.
IBM is a major player in the tech market and has seen fluctuations in its stock price along with other tech stocks. However, its positioning and reputation have helped it to bounce back quickly. If IBM can create a powerful AI weather prediction model with NASA’s assistance, it could provide the firm with additional revenue streams, leading to more profit potential in the future. As such, IBM is seen as a strong addition to your portfolio.
IBM purchasing opportunities can be found through top stock brokers in your respective region.
The Future of AI Systems Used to Predict Hurricanes
The future looks bright for hurricane prediction systems. AI continues to improve, and the introduction of new types of models continues to expand its capabilities. Today’s AI system is far more capable of spotting hard-to-see patterns than the best options were years prior. As such, this new data will help shed light on hurricanes in a way that was impossible only a decade ago.
The Weather is Getting Worse, So Prediction Needs to Improve
When you examine the events of the last few years, you can see patterns forming. Hurricanes continue to become stronger and more frequent. As such, coastal regions are now facing the constant threat of annihilation from these massive storms and their subsequent flooding. AI hurricane prediction models could one day be integrated with AI search and rescue systems to help prepare for major events.
Imagine a fleet of rescue drones being deployed to a hurricane region days before the storm hits. They could then help with the search and rescue efforts while providing necessary supplies, all via an automated system that bases its focus on the areas hit hardest by the storm.
AI Hurricane Prediction is the Best Option
When you review the data, it’s easy to see that AI hurricane prediction models are the future. These systems can provide early warning while gathering real-time data that is used to improve future capabilities. Over time, these systems will recognize even more hard-to-detect patterns, which could lead to a day when humans are beyond predicting and moving on to preventing hurricanes altogether. For now, AI hurricane prediction systems provide a glimpse into a high-tech future where you gain an edge on the weather.
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