Institutions responsible for meteorological research in the Philippines have initiated collaboration with US-based meteorology company Atmo for development of AI-powered weather forecasting. The move is aimed at strengthening the country’s resilience against weather threats.
The Philippines ranks first as the most vulnerable country to climate-related risks according to the World Risk Index. With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense, there is an urgent need to enhance disaster preparedness efforts in the country.
As climate patterns grow increasingly unpredictable, traditional methods alone may not be sufficient to mitigate risks effectively.
AI-powered forecasting is gaining ground
Traditional weather prediction relies on solving complex differential equations that describe atmospheric physics, such as the flow of water and air. In recent years, emerging machine learning models which are assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) have become still more competitive with traditional numerical methods.
Two institutions within the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are responsible for meteorological research in the Philippines. These are DOST-PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) and DOST-ASTI (Advanced Science and Technology Institute).
“This collaboration (with Atmo Inc., ed) is a call to move beyond the possibilities in the fields of weather science and technology. Together, with the help of artificial intelligence, we will ensure that the Philippines is not only prepared for the challenges of today but also empowered to face those of the future,” said DOST-ASTI Director, Dr. Franz A. De Leon, at a signing ceremony initiating the project.
Protecting lives and infrastructure
As part of the partnership, Atmo Inc. obtains access to historical meteorological data for the country. These data are used to train the AI-powered model.
“The data-sharing agreement we signed today established the necessary framework for secure and responsible data use, reinforcing our shared commitment to scientific innovation and national resilience. Together, we are setting a new standard in meteorology – harnessing cutting-edge AI meteorology technology to protect lives, safeguard infrastructure, and build a more weather-resilient future,” said Atmo Inc. President and CEO, Alexander Levy.
Also in the joint project, scientists from DOST-PAGASA and DOST-ASTI are equipped with knowledge and skills to maximize the potential of the AI-powered forecasting system. Further, they will evaluate the performance of the AI-powered model against the numerical models which are currently in use.
The text is inspired by the article “DOST-ASTI, DOST-PAGASI partner with Atmo Inc. for AI-powered weather forecasting” by Angel Kristine Namuco at the DOST-ASTI website.
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