The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is upgrading its global weather forecasting model for the first time in 40 years. NOAA’s new model is a step into the future, utilizing better computer technology in what is called a dynamical Finite-Volume Cubed-Sphere (FV3) model. For scientists, this means better data to predict severe weather like winter storms and hurricane paths. For us, it means a more accurate daily weather forecast in terms of temperature and precipitation.
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NOAA says the FV3 model was originally developed as a tool to forecast long-range weather patterns and climate modeling over long periods of time. Recently, it has been adapted for more accurate short-term weather forecasting. A NOAA press release states: “When tested against historic weather dating back an additional three years, the upgraded FV3-based GFS performed better across a wide range of weather phenomena.”
Over the past few years, the FV3 model was tested against the existing model, and provided significantly more accurate storm prediction in events like Hurricane Florence, the January 2018 Bomb Cyclone and the March 2018 Rain Event on the West Coast.
For a full NOAA report on how the FV3 model works, check here.
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