Weather Data to Forecast Maps

Weather stations and satellites collect observations from around the world. Supercomputers turn those observations into many simulated futures, which are combined into forecast maps.

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Age 17: open this week

In the picture

Satellite dish: incoming worldwide weather observations
Server racks: supercomputer running the forecast model
Rotating globe: current state of the atmosphere
Stacked translucent maps: forecast maps for future weather
Branching light paths: many possible simulated futures

Examples

A five-day rain forecast for a city comes from many model runs, not one.
A hurricane track map shows a cone where the storm may go.

Key takeaways

More observations improve the starting point for a forecast.
Ensembles show uncertainty by simulating many possible futures.

Carry on in the app

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