Subseasonal forecasting, or the ability to predict weather trends two weeks to two months in advance, is a capability highly sought after in various economic sectors, including energy, water management, and agriculture. Reliable forecasts on this scale have thus far been largely out of reach, but researchers at the U.S. National Science Foundation National Center for Atmospheric Research (NSF NCAR) are leveraging AI to see if it helps them grasp this elusive capability.

Scientists are working to identify future weather changes at national parks.

NSF NCAR scientists can address media questions about various aspects of El Niño.

Wildfires need brief-lived windows of opportunity to spread widely.

Wind is the driving force behind many damaging weather phenomena. It can fan the flames of wildfires, topple trees onto powerlines, and cause dangerous conditions for aircraft during takeoffs and landings. NSF NCAR researchers are working on a major new project to predict these small-scale wind events that have major impacts on society.