Google DeepMind and Google Research have introduced WeatherNext 3, a new artificial intelligence (AI) model that updates weather forecasts every hour. It now provides weather information used in Google Search, the Gemini app, Google Maps, Google Maps Platform Weather API, and Google Earth Engine.
For ordinary users, the biggest change may be more accurate rain and snow forecasts. Google said WeatherNext 3 can improve these forecasts by up to 50% when people are planning a day or more in advance.
The improvements may be especially useful in parts of Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. Some areas in these regions have fewer weather stations or do not have access to the powerful computer systems used for local forecasting.
Traditional weather systems use supercomputers to calculate how the atmosphere may change. These systems remain important, but preparing a new forecast can take time.
WeatherNext 3 adds live satellite images to the process. The images give the model a more recent view of clouds and changing weather conditions. This allows it to prepare a new forecast every hour. Google’s previous model produced an update every six hours.
The model can also provide more detailed information for smaller areas. Temperature and moisture can be mapped in areas as small as five kilometers. Wind and other conditions near the ground can be mapped in 10-kilometer areas.
This means WeatherNext 3 may better detect differences between nearby places. One town may be experiencing rain while another town a few kilometers away remains dry. More detailed forecasts may also help people living near mountains, valleys, and coastlines, where weather can vary widely even across short distances.
The information could help farmers decide when to plant or harvest, airlines plan flight routes, and emergency teams monitor storms. Businesses can also access the forecasts through BigQuery, Google Earth Engine, Google Maps Platform, and Google Cloud Storage.
Companies do not have to install or operate the AI model themselves. They can use the weather information directly in their own services and systems.
WeatherNext 3 also provides information that can help wind and solar power operators. It can estimate wind speeds near turbines, cloud cover, and how much sunlight will reach the ground. This can help energy companies estimate how much electricity their wind and solar farms will produce.
However, the new model cannot guarantee that every forecast will be correct. Weather can still change unexpectedly. Google advises people to rely on their national or local weather agency for official forecasts, storm warnings, and safety advisories. In the Philippines, these should still come from Pagasa.
