Access to advanced weather prediction technology varies greatly across the globe, with regions like Africa often lacking sufficient data collection and forecasting tools. This scarcity makes weather prediction a significant challenge in many African nations. To address this issue, Google has introduced its “nowcasting” weather model in Africa. The concept of nowcasting refers to short-term weather forecasting, which can greatly benefit individuals and communities who rely heavily on accurate weather predictions, particularly farmers.

Google’s model, known as MetNet, leverages artificial intelligence to enhance the accuracy and speed of weather forecasts. Unlike traditional forecasting methods that can take hours to create reliable predictions, MetNet delivers updates much more quickly. MetNet undergoes extensive training on relevant data to achieve its results, similar to how language models function. It provides short-term forecasts, allowing users to make informed decisions about when to go outdoors, plant crops, or hang laundry, based on immediate weather conditions.

The precision of MetNet is noteworthy. According to Google, it can predict precipitation with a high degree of accuracy, delivering forecasts every 15 minutes within a five-kilometer radius for the upcoming 12 hours. The rapid generation of these forecasts, often completed in under a minute, means that users won’t have to wait long for critical weather information. In Africa, residents can access this nowcasting feature through Google Search.

By using the Weather feature, they can receive timely and relevant updates about their local weather conditions, empowering them to undertake daily activities with a better understanding of what to expect from the skies.