One signal

The US National Hurricane Center leaned heavily on Google DeepMind’s AI weather model when forecasting Hurricane Isaias, CNN reports. The model pointed to a Category 2 storm from the first advisory, while many traditional models initially suggested a weaker storm on a different track.

CNN quotes NHC director Michael Brennan saying AI guidance has helped support more aggressive early forecasts. Forecasters still combine it with physics-based models and their own assessment, rather than handing the forecast to a machine and heading for the kettle. The report says the model’s performance in earlier storms, and training work with the Hurricane Center, helped build confidence in it.

Discuss: How much weight should forecasters give AI guidance when it conflicts with traditional models?

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