How AI technology is impacting hurricane forecasting
How AI technology is impacting hurricane forecasting
Publish Date: 2026-02-24 01:20:00
Source Domain: www.southcarolinapublicradio.org
With fewer than 100 days remaining before the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season, scientists at the National Hurricane Center say tropical weather forecasting is at a turning point with the growing inclusion of artificial intelligence.
While forms of AI products have existed for years, Wallace Hogsett, a science operations officer at NOAA, said the agency increased its use of newly developed tools during the 2025 hurricane season.
“Last season was all about experimentation, including first working with our partners to conduct thorough verification and testing prior to using any AI tools for operational decisions. During the season, as forecasters gained experience, NHC began integrating these new AI weather prediction (AIWP) systems as guidance when preparing operational forecasts, alongside all of the other critical tools in our toolbox,” Hogsett stated in a weather agency question-and-answer segment.
The AI products were used in conjunction with a broader toolbox that includes long-established weather forecast models, satellite analysis and the experience of veteran forecasters.
Some of the AI products evaluated included Google’s DeepMind and a system developed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.
Hogsett expects more AI tools to be unveiled in the coming years, with each undergoing extensive evaluation before being integrated into the agency’s operations.
Most AI models are trained on global weather observations collected over past decades. Once considered operational, they apply what they have learned from historical events to generate future outlooks.
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