New UAE supercomputer to predict extreme weather and plan cloud seeding
“The supercomputer can also improve current cloud-seeding efforts within the UAE by using AI to predict the best place and time for seeding…”
October 18, 2021 | Kelly Clarke | The National News UAE |
“A supercomputer is being built to help the UAE’s national forecaster to predict weather patterns more accurately and improve cloud-seeding missions.
The high-performance computer, named Atmosphere, will allow meteorologists to better gauge how and when extreme weather will affect the region.
Developed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, it will process data up to 600 per cent faster than the current prediction software used by the National Centre for Meteorology.
In only one second, Atmosphere can process millions of calculations and will allow forecasters to issue instant weather warnings to air traffic control and police.
“The system will be finished and operational by end of year,” said Omar Al Yazeedi, director of research, development and training at the NCM.
“[Atmosphere] will allow us to run numerous weather-prediction systems. These systems can calculate and perform complex calculations in order to give us an outlook on how the weather will be in five days, 10 days, even longer lead times if necessary.
“With the previous system we had some limitations. Depending on the computing power you have, you can either do daily operations or research. You cannot do both at the same time.
“With the new system there is enough computing power that you can run multiple systems and carry out scientific research.”
New UAE supercomputer to predict extreme weather and plan cloud seeding