In "Welcome Back, Mone," there is a scene where the weather forecast is reported on the news, but have you ever wondered how a weather forecast is made? A weather forecaster who is in the same grade as Mone has prepared a quiz about weather forecasts!

Which of the following is necessary for a weather forecast? Difficulty level: ★★☆☆☆(2/5)!

• 
  リ モ コ ン
  Incorrect
• 
  Color contact
  Incorrect
• 
  Supercomputer
  Correct answer

  Weather forecasts start with calculating atmospheric conditions (wind, clouds, temperature, etc.) using a computer. Predictions based on these calculations are sometimes called "numerical forecasts." Daily weather forecasts are made based on the results of numerical forecast calculations!

  
  

  By the way, the computers used in numerical weather forecasting are not like the ones you might have at home. They require very advanced computing power to handle huge amounts of equations and data. A home computer would definitely crash... (laughs)

  Also, there is a time limit for calculations(※), so you can't take your time with the calculations.
  (※)For example, there is no point in announcing a 12 o'clock weather forecast at 13:XNUMX.

  That's where supercomputers, or "supercomputers," come in. Numerical forecasts are carried out by fully utilizing the capabilities of supercomputers.

  Have you heard of "Fugaku"? As of November 2021, it is a Japanese supercomputer that has been ranked number one in the world for four consecutive periods (according to the "TOP11" list). We often hear that it is being used in research related to the new coronavirus.

  As the accuracy of supercomputers increases, more calculations can be performed faster, which is expected to lead to more reliable weather forecasts. Currently, research is being conducted to improve the accuracy of numerical forecasts using Fugaku. We look forward to seeing advances in weather forecasting in the future!

  [Sources and References]
  Japan Meteorological Agency, "What is Numerical Forecasting?" Accessed May 2021, 5
  https://www.jma.go.jp/jma/kishou/know/whitep/1-3-1.html

Akira Yamamoto

Ever since I was a child, I have spent my days gazing at the sky, feeling the wind blowing in my eyes, and feeling snow falling on me. Before I knew it, I was in the world of meteorology. I spend my days trying to explain meteorological phenomena with the help of physics, mathematics, and computers. I like mid- and high-latitude atmospheric dynamics, and my hobbies are running and traveling. I think I was in the same class as Monet. I'm a weather forecaster. I'm in my first year of doctoral studies at the University of Tokyo Graduate School.

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