# WeatherNext: AI model achieves breakthrough in forecasting cyclones

Google DeepMind open-sourced WeatherNext code and weights, reporting a full day of extra cyclone lead time and 1,000-member ensembles.

- Ensemble size scaled to 1,000 members, capturing rapid intensification events like Hurricane Melissa in 2025.
- WeatherNext Cyclones runs at 28x28km resolution, 100x coarser than traditional models.
- WeatherNext 2-mini operates on a single TPU in a free public Colab notebook.
- Weather Lab refreshed with a new interface and expanded to global weather forecasts alongside cyclone tracks.

## Why it matters

Meteorological agencies, researchers, and nonprofits can now build on open-source WeatherNext models to improve cyclone forecasts and preparedness.

## Sources

- [Google DeepMind: WeatherNext: AI model achieves breakthrough in forecasting cyclones](https://deepmind.google/blog/weathernext-ai-model-achieves-breakthrough-in-forecasting-cyclones)

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Summarized by dstilled on 2026-08-06. https://dstilled.ai/story/1339456a-e4b4-463b-9eb6-31777cdc4662