Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Google DeepMind WeatherNext AI Predicts Hurricane Days Early
Google made a super-smart computer program called WeatherNext that helps predict the weather.
It uses artificial intelligence and learns from lots of old weather data from around the world.
One of the hardest jobs in weather forecasting is knowing when a hurricane will suddenly become much stronger.
WeatherNext figured out that a storm called Hurricane Melissa was going to become super strong.
It warned people five days early that the storm would hit the island of Jamaica.
That gave people extra time to pack up and get somewhere safe.
The model can create many different 'what-if' stories about what a storm might do next.
One report says it can make up to 1,000 of these stories, while another says it makes 50.
WeatherNext helps human weather experts make better decisions; it does not replace them.
Google also plans to share the technology so scientists worldwide can study and improve it.
Google DeepMind's WeatherNext AI model predicted Hurricane Melissa's rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane and its Jamaica landfall five days in advance.
Forecast confidence stood at 80% five days before impact and rose to nearly 100% three days before the storm struck.
The prediction marked the first time an AI weather model identified a Category 5 hurricane from such a weak initial tropical depression.
WeatherNext was named one of the top-performing individual models in the NHC's 2025 Hurricane Season Annual Verification Report.
WIRED reported WeatherNext gives forecasters about one extra day of warning and can generate up to 1,000 scenarios, while Google said the model creates 50 'what-if' scenarios.
- Who
- Google DeepMind and Google Research, whose WeatherNext AI model supported forecasters at the US National Hurricane Center (NHC).
- What
- WeatherNext accurately predicted Hurricane Melissa's rapid intensification into a Category 5 hurricane and its landfall in Jamaica five days in advance.
- When
- During the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season; the storm struck late in the season.
- Where
- Jamaica in the Caribbean, with forecasts supported by the US National Hurricane Center.
- Why
- To give authorities and residents significantly more time to prepare for a dangerous storm and reduce the human and economic impact of natural disasters.
- AI model
- WeatherNext
- Developer
- Google DeepMind and Google Research, under Google's Earth AI initiative
- Forecast lead time
- 5 days in advance at 80% confidence; nearly 100% three days before impact
- Storm
- Hurricane Melissa, Category 5
- Predicted landfall
- Jamaica
- Rapid intensification
- Sustained wind speeds increasing by at least 35 mph within 24 hours
- What-if scenarios
- 50 per Google; up to 1,000 per WIRED
- Recognition
- Top-performing individual model in the NHC's 2025 Hurricane Season Annual Verification Report
