Last updated on September 6th, 2021 at 03:43 pm
For most people, weather forecasts are simply indicators of whether they need to carry an umbrella or throw on a coat when they go outside. However, for many industries and types of individuals, weather changes and patterns have a direct impact on their lives and livelihoods.
Agriculture, for example, benefits from accurate weather forecasting because farmers can make better planting and harvesting decisions. For governments, weather forecasts factor in their budget plans and disaster relief fund allotments. Businesses that rely on clear weather (or rough weather) depend on weather forecasts to drive several of their operational processes.
From all this, it is easy to gather that accurate weather and disaster forecasting carries much more weight than we think. Artificial intelligence augments the accuracy and reliability of weather forecasting, especially given that so many details fluctuate every day and with every geographical location. It is a great fit, given the volume of data is nigh impossible to sift through with manual labor alone.
In short, the future of artificial intelligence will also see its increasing use in the weather and natural disaster forecasting domains. Here are a few more reasons why:
- Managing several sources of weather data
There are currently more than one thousand weather satellites orbiting the Earth, each sending back weather data dumps to various collection points. These data dumps are a mix of information about temperatures, cloud patterns, winds, and pollution levels. Then there are thousands of government and private weather stations around the world, each conducting their own real-time research on weather and climate. It is nearly impossible to sift through all this data manually, but AI algorithms can do it in a matter of hours.
- Sifting through multiple data categories
Suffice to say that the amount of data generated from satellites and personal weather stations is too much to fathom, and impossible for humans to sift through. However, Artificial Intelligence training can be applied to segregate and classify data from dumps, as well as to pull out key insights for analysis. This is a preliminary process in the weather prediction model, wherein AI segregates data based on indicators, flags significant shifts or patterns, and keeps data classified such that predictions are made as accurately and as scientifically as possible.
- Preparing for potential disasters
Beyond real-time predictions, AI is also used to identify patterns and prepare for natural disasters in advance, off the back of previous circumstances. It may also split this data between geographies, allowing disaster management teams to evaluate which areas will be hit the hardest and prepare for that. This data is also invaluable for civil engineering teams, architectural firms, and city planning teams who need to take weather into account when mapping out residential and commercial areas.
- Sending out warnings
Apart from predicting natural disasters, AI can also be leveraged to send out warnings to potential danger zones. This is invaluable when it comes to saving human and animal lives and generally preparing areas for the worse. Warnings can be sent out through media alerts, push notifications, and citizen broadcasts; whatever the method of delivery, AI is vital to sending such notices out in time and to the right people to curb panic and facilitate seamless planning.
Artificial Intelligence Training for Weather Forecasting
Weather forecasting teams and companies need skilled AI scientists and engineers to apply theory to practice in real-time. They need AI professionals who can create automated setups to free human minds for higher-order thinking; they also need pros who are fast on their feet and adept at creative problem-solving.
Using AI for weather forecasting is a whole new ball game – one on which many lives depend.
