NOAA upgrades its global weather model

More data and a better global weather model should make for improved weather distributed to users, like this temperature gradient map.

- TIM QUEENEY

On March 22, 2021, NOAA announced that the National Weather Service (NWS) would use a new global computer model for weather forecasts. This is an “under the hood” type of improvement that most voyagers won’t see directly. If the new system works as advertised, however, voyagers should see better weather forecasts on their vessels.

NOAA says the new Global Forecast System (GFS) “will increase forecast capabilities across the U.S. These advancements will improve hurricane genesis forecasting, modeling for snowfall location, heavy rainfall forecasts, and overall model performance.”