India is at the forefront of harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance weather forecasting and address the challenges posed by extreme climate conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is spearheading the initiative to leverage AI-driven models for more precise predictions of severe weather phenomena such as floods and droughts. This endeavour comes in response to the escalating frequency of floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events in the country.
The head of the Indian Meteorological Department’s climate research and services department told Reuters that the department has used AI to generate public warnings about high temperatures. It also plans to add weather observation stations to provide village-level data to provide better weather forecasts.
AI in Weather Forecasting
The application of AI in weather forecasting holds the potential to significantly improve the accuracy of predictions, thereby enabling authorities and communities to make better-informed decisions and undertake timely preparedness measures. Traditional weather forecasting methods involve complex computations and the analysis of numerous atmospheric variables. In contrast, AI-based models offer the advantage of enhanced accuracy and efficiency in processing vast amounts of data, leading to more reliable forecasts.
The Indian government said it hopes to generate weather forecasts by integrating AI into traditional models. Saurabh Rathore, assistant professor at IIT Delhi, said, “AI models do not require the high cost of running supercomputers, and it can even run on high-performance desktop computers .”
In addition, the Met Office also stated that AI could “revolutionize” weather forecasting. According to reports, meteorological agencies around the world are currently paying attention to AI because it can reduce costs and increase speed.
Climate Resilience and Agriculture
One of the key areas where AI is being deployed in India is in enhancing climate resilience and optimizing agricultural practices. For instance, farmers in India are utilizing AI-powered weather advisory systems to make informed decisions regarding crop, nutrient, and soil management. These systems leverage AI to provide tailored weather forecasts and recommendations, thereby empowering farmers to mitigate the impact of adverse weather conditions on their agricultural activities.
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Traditional physics-based models continue to outperform AI models in certain aspects. However, the computational efficiency of AI models presents a valuable advantage. By mitigating the computational costs associated with traditional models, AI contributes to more effective and timely decision-making in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, and disaster management. Moreover, AI algorithms trained on satellite and weather data are increasingly being used to predict the impact of storms and anticipate power outages, thereby enhancing preparedness and response measures.
Limitations and Future Outlook
There are significant advancements facilitated by AI in weather forecasting. However, experts caution that the predictive power of AI-based tools may be constrained by the evolving impacts of climate change. We now have the emergence of new and unprecedented weather extremes. There are also changing dynamics of extreme weather systems. These pose a challenge to the long-term efficacy of AI-driven weather forecasting. As such, while AI continues to enhance predictive capabilities, it is essential to recognize and address the limitations.
Final Words
India’s efforts to integrate AI into weather forecasting reflect a proactive approach. It could address the mounting challenges posed by extreme climate conditions. By harnessing the potential of AI-driven models, India aims to bolster its weather forecasting capabilities. It also aims to improve climate resilience and empower various sectors to effectively mitigate the impact of extreme weather events. AI holds promise in enhancing weather predictions. However, it is imperative to continue monitoring its efficacy in the context of evolving climate dynamics.
The use of AI in weather forecasting is a promising development. It has the potential to significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of weather predictions. It could enable better-informed decision-making and more effective preparedness measures in the face of extreme weather events. India’s initiatives in this domain exemplify a proactive approach. It leverages cutting-edge technologies to address the challenges posed by climate change and extreme weather phenomena.
