AI-driven nowcasting at NIWA

Short-term weather prediction in real time

We are pioneering the use of AI to develop impact nowcasting. Our innovative approach combines extensive real-time data with AI technology to provide highly accurate and timely weather forecasting to help communities and industries prepare for and respond to adverse environmental conditions. 

What is Nowcasting? 

Nowcasting is distinct from traditional weather forecasting. It involves using the most recent observations at a site to generate a short-term prediction in real time.  

Nowcasting goes beyond traditional forecasting by not only predicting environmental conditions but also assessing their potential impacts. This involves analysing how weather events such as storms, heavy rainfall, or extreme temperatures will affect specific areas of our environment, enabling more effective decision-making and risk management. 

Since physics-based models are often too slow to accommodate rapidly arriving observations, deep learning offers an ideal alternative, providing fast, on-the-fly predictions with minimal computational delay. 

Our AI plus data-driven approach  

The nowcasting system integrates vast amounts of real-time data from various sources, including radar, satellite imagery, and ground-based observations. Our AI models analyse these data to identify patterns and trends, enabling us to predict weather conditions with accuracy and speed. 

Key benefits 

  • Enhanced accuracy: Our AI models continuously learn and improve. 
  • Timely updates: With real-time data processing, we provide up-to-the-minute weather information, helping you stay prepared. 
  • Sector-specific insights: Our nowcasting capabilities support a wide range of sectors, from disaster management to urban planning to energy and infrastructure planning. 
  • Robust deployment on advanced infrastructure: with a range of operational platforms from NIWA’s advanced supercomputing platforms through to commercial cloud services, we can integrate robust and cutting edge AI in your decision making processes.