On Thursday, Google announced a new advancement powered by artificial intelligence that could change the way we predict hurricanes. Weather Lab is an interactive website that shows live and historic AI weather models, including its latest tropical cyclone model, which includes hurricanes. It was developed by Google DeepMind, the company’s London-based AI research lab.
The cyclone model can predict the formation, track, intensity, size and shape of the storm. And it can create 50 possible scenarios up to 15 days ahead.
A representative for Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
How to use Weather Lab
Weather Lab’s website lets experts compare AI weather models to physics-based models from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts to get more cyclone information sooner.
If experts are able to predict the storm earlier than a physics model, the extra time could help you and experts prepare for the impact of storms, especially those that could be life-threatening.
The problem with physics-based models is that they don’t track a cyclone’s intensity or track as accurately as Google’s AI-powered model. When experts look at both types of models, “they can better anticipate a cyclone’s path and intensity,” according to Google.
The lab is running a few AI weather models in real time, but has included two years of previous predictions on the website so other researchers and experts can evaluate the models Google Deep Mind is creating. The two years researched are not specified.
Don’t ditch other weather services
It’s worth noting that the Weather Lab can be helpful for future hurricane seasons, and maybe even this one.
Weather Lab accurately predicted the paths of two 2025 cyclones, Honde and Garance. Other storm paths were accurately predicted almost seven days in advance. Google DeepMind partnered with the US National Hurricane Center to confirm that their approach and outputs were correct to make predictions.
However, Weather Lab is a research tool and even the live predictions are not official warnings. The lab still recommends relying on your local or national weather service.
Read the full article here