Computational Resources and High-Performance Computin

Improving Computational Resources to take Advantage of Increasing Weather Observations

Author
Nicholas Rodick
March 1, 2022 · 3 min read
a view of the Summit supercomputer

Over the course of the last two decades, there has been a massive push from the meteorology community to fill sizable gaps in global weather observations. This includes improving the horizontal and vertical resolution of weather observations within a particular area as a means of mitigating financial losses due to extreme weather. The world bank also recognizes the importance of improving weather observations globally by noting for every dollar invested in deploying new forms of observational data, at least twenty-six dollars in socio-economic return could be realized (World Bank, see ‘The value of Surface-Based Meteorological Observation Data: Costs and benefits for the Global Basic Observing Network’ for more information). This implies raw weather data can be turned into actionable insights critical for decision making. However, this conversion requires a large amount of computational resources. TempoQuest Inc. (TQI) offers a cost effective solution to increase computational resources that streamline the conversion process of large amounts of weather data to actionable insights. 

(in red) present day horizontal resolution that displays the aforementioned sizable gaps in weather observation data. In this case, “Upper Air Reporting” references data generated from upper-air stations over land that observe temperature, humidity, and horizontal wind profiles, with a vertical resolution of 100m or higher, twice a day or better. (World Meteorology Organization)

As shown above, without reliable weather observations; we are scientifically limited on how accurate predictions can be. With the notion that more reliable observations can help increase accuracy; these weather observations are fed into the Numerical Weather Prediction systems. The advent of significant technology advances with operating satellites, launch services and supporting infrastructure have led to an explosive rise of remote sensing data available for weather and climate technology companies globally. In order to take advantage of this data, it must be ingested into weather prediction software through data assimilation that can take a large amount of computational resources. The figure below showcases this rise along with the notable commercialization of these satellites. 

Increasing satellite launches, particularly from the commercial sector, Image Credit: Christopherson, Chandra & Quanbeck (2019).

According to a new report by NOAA’s Science Advisory Board (SAB);

“Without increased computing resources, none of the recommended new models and data assimilation that improve the forecasts will be able to run on time. … Improvements in weather forecasts are directly limited by the availability of sufficient computing resources to develop, test and operate next generation forecasting technologies.” The report elaborates, “this requires on the order of 100 times the current operational computing capacity [by 2031]”.

Source: https://www.hpcwire.com/2022/01/05/citing-shortfalls-noaa-targets-hundred-fold-hpc-increase-over-next-decade/

TempoQuest has developed AceCAST (Accelerated Forecast) that utilizes the most used weather prediction software system and deploys proprietary code to run on GPUs. Given the increase in weather observation data that require a large amount of computational resources, this is a critical time to take advantage of the software and experience that TempoQuest Inc offers.

For more technical information about AceCAST visit: https://acecast-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Anyone can try AceCAST for free for 60 days by visiting: https://tempoquest.com/acecast-registration/

#Computational Resources and High-Performance Computin #Numerical Weather Prediction and Data Assimilation #Weather Forecasting and Accuracy
Nicholas Rodick

About Nicholas Rodick

Nicholas Rodick is a dedicated meteorologist and Customer Success Manager at Spire Weather, hailing from Ballston Spa, New York, United States. With a background in meteorology, he possesses a keen focus on weather and earth intelligence, with an emphasis on leveraging emerging technologies and innovations to provide valuable insights to customers. Nicholas has a wealth of experience in the field, having worked with various organizations and projects related to weather forecasting, atmospheric research, and the application of weather data in different industries.

Having completed his Bachelor of Science in Meteorology from the State University of New York College at Oswego, Nicholas embarked on a promising career, making significant contributions to the field of weather modeling and forecasting. From his early involvement with the Lake Effect Storm Prediction and Research Center to his role as a UAS Meteorologist and Product Manager at TruWeather Solutions, he has gained valuable insights into the impact of weather on various industries, including the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry.

Throughout his career, Nicholas has exhibited strong leadership skills, as demonstrated by his experience as the Weather Forecast Leader and Co-Director at the Lake Effect Storm Prediction and Research Center. He managed a team of weather forecasters and conducted research on lake effect snow storms, collaborating with government agencies and emergency management authorities.

Nicholas's dedication to advancing weather-related technologies is evident from his involvement with TempoQuest, Inc., where he contributed to the development and marketing of GPU-accelerated weather modeling software, aiming for faster and more accurate micro weather and climate predictions.

As a Customer Success Manager at Spire Weather, Nicholas continues to drive innovation and value for the company's customers, ensuring they receive mission-critical weather data to enhance safety and optimize operations across various industries.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Nicholas is known for his public speaking skills and his keen interest in business development. He actively seeks to address customer pain points and deliver quantifiable results for clients. His passion for meteorology and space technologies makes him a valuable asset to any team seeking to incorporate cutting-edge weather solutions into their operations.

With a track record of excellence and a commitment to leveraging space-powered weather technologies, Nicholas Rodick stands at the forefront of the meteorological industry, making significant strides in providing impactful weather insights and solutions for a safer and more efficient world.

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