Boost of £1.2bn to improve forecast

A new supercomputer designed to improve severe weather and climate forecasting is to receive £1.2 billion from the government towards its development.

The technology will be managed by the Met Office, with the aim of offering more sophisticated rainfall predictions and better forecasting at airports.

Data collected by the powerful device will also be used to help more accurately predict storms, select the most suitable locations for flood defences and predict changes to the global climate.

According to the government, the supercomputer is expected to be the world’s most advanced of its kind dedicated to weather and climate.

The Met Office’s current supercomputer – due to reach its end of life in late 2022 – is in the top 50 of the world’s most powerful computers, with enough storage to hold more than 100 years’ worth of HD films.

“This investment will ultimately provide earlier, more accurate warning of severe weather, the information needed to build a more resilient world in a changing climate and help support the transition to a low-carbon economy across the UK,” said Professor Penny Endersby, Met Office chief executive.

The supercomputer is expected to cost £854 million, with remaining funds set to go towards investment in the Observations network and programme offices from 2022-32.

“Over the last 30 years, new technologies have meant more accurate weather forecasting, with storms being predicted up to five days in advance,” said Alok Sharma, Business and Energy Secretary.