Google’s latest AI weather model gives you no excuse to forget your umbrella

THE NEWS

What happened

Google DeepMind and Google Research have launched WeatherNext 3, a new AI model for weather forecasting that outperforms traditional government supercomputers and previous AI versions. It offers higher resolution (5 km), hourly updates, and improved rain prediction by directly ingesting raw satellite data.

CONTEXT

Why it matters

Google DeepMind has released WeatherNext 3, a breakthrough in AI weather forecasting that outperforms both traditional government models and its own previous versions. Key improvements include: ✅ 5km resolution (down from 15-25km) ✅ Hourly forecasts instead of every 6 hours ✅ 60% better rain prediction accuracy ✅ Direct use of raw satellite data The model will soon power weather info in Google Search, Maps, and Gemini. This tech could also boost renewable energy reliability and crop yields globally.

AT A GLANCE

Key facts

• WeatherNext 3 is the first AI model to incorporate raw observational data for high-resolution global forecasts.
• The model predicts weather down to a 5 km resolution, compared to the standard 15-25 km of previous models.
• It provides hourly forecasts instead of the standard six-hour intervals.
• Evaluations show a 60% improvement in rain prediction accuracy over WeatherNext 2.
• The model beats traditional forecasts from the U.S. National Weather Service and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF).
• WeatherNext 3 will integrate into Google Search, Maps, and Gemini products.
• The technology promises economic benefits for renewable energy projects and agriculture in developing regions.