NOAA Selects Tomorrow.io for Weather Forecasting Infrastructure
Key Points
- Contract accelerates Unified Forecast System development via open science
- Tomorrow.io provides software infrastructure and high-performance computing
- Integration of MPAS replaces standalone models for better predictions
Editorial Deep Dive & Context
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has selected Tomorrow.io to provide contracting support for the Earth Prediction Innovation Center (EPIC), which serves as the backbone of NOAA’s operational weather forecast modeling suite. This contract advances NOAA’s effort to accelerate the development of the next-generation Unified Forecast System (UFS) through open science. Established in 2019, EPIC fosters collaboration among academia, public agencies, and private industry to transition research innovations into operational models used by the National Weather Service. While EPIC handles management and scientific innovation, Tomorrow.io is responsible for software infrastructure, engineering, user support, and high-performance computing initiatives. The partnership aims to integrate the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) into the UFS, replacing standalone models with a unified framework to predict atmospheric movements ranging from local thunderstorms to global patterns. NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs emphasized leveraging public, private, and academic sectors to cement U.S. leadership in weather prediction. Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service, noted this supports the Weather Service’s transformation effort to ensure resilience against extreme weather. The initiative aligns with the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 and the 2018 Drought Information System Reauthorization Act, prioritizing improved forecasting to protect life and property
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