A new £97m Met Office supercomputer that is 13 times more powerful than the current system will help the UK better predict disruptive weather events.
The High Performance Computer (HPC), set to be operational in September 2015 and reach full capacity in 2017, will be able to use high-resolution images to predict small scale high-impact weather, such as the timing of fog over airports.
It will provide highly detailed weather information for precise geographical areas and use hourly forecast updates to better predict damaging weather such as flooding, strong winds, fog and heavy snowfall.
It is also expected to improve UK winter forecasts out to months ahead, and assess the specific regional impacts of climate change such as floods, droughts and heatwaves.
Met Office chief executive Rob Varley said the new machine, which weighs the same as 11 double decker buses, will lead to a step change in weather forecasting and climate prediction.
'The new supercomputer, together with improved observations, science and modelling, will deliver better forecasts and advice to support UK businesses, the public and government. It will help to make the UK more resilient to high impact weather and other environmental risks,” he said.
Chief secretary to the treasury, Danny Alexander, said the investment will boost regional investment and expertise in the south west through its location at the Met Office and Exeter Science Park
'This £97m investment is a crucial part of the government's wider drive to make the UK the best place in the world to do science and research,” he said.
Universities, science and cities minister, Greg Clark, said: 'I have been eager to make this happen for some time, and I am confident that the supercomputer will make this nation more resilient and better prepared for high impact weather and boost the economy - improving lives up and down the country.'
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