Google、天気予報AI「WeatherNext 3」公開

WeatherNext 3 marks a departure from previous AI weather models, which were trained on numerical weather prediction (NWP) data from supercomputer simulations. Those simulations carried a six-hour delay, which could introduce errors for fast-changing variables like rainfall. By processing live geostationary satellite data, the new model aims to capture current conditions more accurately and update its forecasts hourly.

This shift toward higher resolution and more frequent updates directly addresses longstanding challenges in weather prediction. The model's ability to resolve narrow rain bands more sharply and predict wind speeds at 100 meters (roughly turbine height) could prove valuable for renewable energy planning and grid management. Google states that regions like Latin America, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific stand to gain the most, as high compute costs for traditional regional models have left them underserved.

The model's widespread availability across Google products, including Search, Maps, and Gemini, suggests it will have a significant reach. However, Google itself notes that the atmosphere will always be unpredictable and points users to national weather services for official warnings. The true test will be how well its promise of more accurate precipitation forecasts, up to 50 percent better when planning a day or more ahead, holds up in real-world conditions and delivers the biggest gains in those regions where predictions have historically been less reliable.