New supercomputer to boost Australia's weather forecasting capabilities

11/06/2014

Australians will benefit from enhanced forecasting services provided by the Bureau of Meteorology with the acquisition of a new supercomputer scheduled to begin operation in mid-2016.

The new supercomputer announced in the Federal Budget will ensure the continued and improved delivery of forecast and warnings services. Procurement of the new supercomputer will begin before the end of this year.

The Australian community relies on the Bureau to deliver accurate and timely information on a daily basis, particularly during events where life and property are at risk.

The new supercomputer will enable the Bureau to provide more accurate and localised weather information, such as the location and timing of severe thunderstorms and cyclones, improved timing and direction of wind changes in fire weather, and better flood warnings.

This increase in computing capability will also offer the Bureau additional processing power and the ability to run the complex mathematical models used to forecast weather at a higher resolution, as well as more frequently.

Like all ICT infrastructure, supercomputers have a limited operational life. This will be the eighth replacement since the Bureau’s first supercomputer was commissioned in 1988.

Improvements in the forecast services of the Bureau will better inform emergency services and the community in making important decisions regarding safety, resourcing and response strategies during severe and extreme weather events.

The new supercomputer will enable the Bureau to deliver improvements to forecasts and warnings incrementally over the five-year lifespan of its operation.