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● Covered by 6 sources · 6 reportsMedium impact4 neutral2 positive

Google DeepMind and Google Research Release WeatherNext 3 AI Weather Model

🔄 Updated 23d ago — new reporting from Ars Technica
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Key points

  • WeatherNext 3 is a new AI weather forecasting model.
  • It offers higher resolution and hourly predictions.
  • The model uses real-time satellite observations.
  • It has shown higher accuracy than other models.
  • WeatherNext 3 will integrate into Google products.
  • WeatherNext 3 is integrated into Google Search and Gemini.
  • WeatherNext 3 is Google's most advanced and accurate global weather AI model.
  • Other AI weather models, including WeatherNext 2, are trained on numerical weather prediction models.
  • Numerical weather prediction models have a six-hour data lag.
  • WeatherNext 3 learns directly from real-time observations.
  • WeatherNext 3 provides hourly forecasts at multiple spatial resolutions.
  • Temperature and moisture are forecast at 5-kilometer resolution.
  • Surface variables are forecast at 10 kilometers.
  • Wind speed is forecast at 25 kilometers.
  • WeatherNext 2 had a 25-kilometer grid in 6-hour increments.
  • WeatherNext 3 is released by Google DeepMind.
  • WeatherNext 3 uses sparse weather station data.
  • WeatherNext 3 forecasts 100-meter wind speeds for wind energy.
  • WeatherNext 3 forecasts cloud cover and sun radiation levels for solar farms.
  • WeatherNext 3 reduces lag time for generating new forecasts.
  • WeatherNext 3 is detailed in a white paper.

New AI Model for Weather Forecasting

Google DeepMind and Google Research have introduced WeatherNext 3, an artificial intelligence model designed for global weather forecasting. This new model aims to provide more accurate and higher-resolution predictions, particularly for rain and snowfall, by learning from real-time weather observations.

WeatherNext 3 represents an advancement in meteorology, utilizing deep learning techniques to analyze and predict atmospheric behavior. It is set to be integrated into various Google products, including Google Search, Google Maps, and Gemini, and will also be available on Google's cloud platforms for users and researchers.

Improved Accuracy and Resolution

According to Google, WeatherNext 3 offers "unprecedented resolution," producing a global picture that is five times sharper than Google's previous models. The model's ability to leverage fresher and richer observational datasets, including raw satellite data, contributes to its enhanced accuracy.

Independent evaluations by Brightband on Operational WeatherBench, a utility for comparing AI forecasts, have shown WeatherNext 3 to be the most accurate among leading contenders. It outperformed other deep-learning models from Google, Microsoft, Nvidia, and the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, as well as traditional forecasts from the US National Weather Service and the ECMWF.

Leveraging Real-time Data

A key development in WeatherNext 3 is its capability to go beyond the data typically used by most global AI models. The model learns directly from real-time observations, enabling it to provide timely and more localized predictions. This approach addresses previous challenges in incorporating real-time weather data from sources like satellites and improving spatial resolution.

Traditional weather forecasting has historically relied on supercomputers simulating atmospheric physics through complex equations. WeatherNext 3's AI-driven approach, using historical records and real-time data, offers a different method for making faster and more accurate predictions.

Impact on Google Products and Beyond

The integration of WeatherNext 3 into core Google products signifies a shift in how weather information will be presented to users. Samier Merchant, a Google senior staff engineer, noted that this marks the first time some of the core variables from such a model will power many Google products.

Beyond consumer applications, the advancements in localized and timely weather information from WeatherNext 3 can have broader implications. Accurate predictions for wind, rain, and extreme weather events are crucial for sectors such as agriculture, global supply chains, clean energy production, and national economies.

Updates

🕒 2026-09-08 · new reporting from Ars Technica
  • WeatherNext 3 reduces lag time for generating new forecasts.
  • WeatherNext 3 is detailed in a white paper.
🕒 2026-09-03 · new reporting from Engadget
  • WeatherNext 3 is released by Google DeepMind.
  • WeatherNext 3 uses sparse weather station data.
  • WeatherNext 3 forecasts 100-meter wind speeds for wind energy.
  • WeatherNext 3 forecasts cloud cover and sun radiation levels for solar farms.
🕒 2026-09-03 · new reporting from 9to5Google
  • WeatherNext 3 is integrated into Google Search and Gemini.
  • WeatherNext 3 is Google's most advanced and accurate global weather AI model.
  • Other AI weather models, including WeatherNext 2, are trained on numerical weather prediction models.
  • Numerical weather prediction models have a six-hour data lag.
  • WeatherNext 3 learns directly from real-time observations.
  • WeatherNext 3 provides hourly forecasts at multiple spatial resolutions.
  • Temperature and moisture are forecast at 5-kilometer resolution.
  • Surface variables are forecast at 10 kilometers.
  • Wind speed is forecast at 25 kilometers.
  • WeatherNext 2 had a 25-kilometer grid in 6-hour increments.

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Primary sources

arXiv 2609.03582

How outlets covered it

Google released version 3 of its WeatherNext AI weather model, which now incorporates satellite weather data, reducing the lag time for generating new forecasts. This update allows for hourly forecast frequency and improves spatial resolution, making AI weather models more competitive with traditional forecasting methods.

Google DeepMind has released WeatherNext 3, an updated AI weather model that provides more detailed forecasts by incorporating live satellite data and sparse weather station data. This update offers improved accuracy for precipitation and specific variables like wind speed and humidity, which is particularly relevant for sectors like renewable energy.

Google released WeatherNext 3, an AI weather model that uses real-time satellite data to provide more accurate and localized forecasts, particularly for precipitation. This model offers higher resolution and more frequent updates compared to previous versions, benefiting regions historically underserved by high-resolution forecasting.

Google DeepMind and Google Research have introduced WeatherNext 3, an AI model for global weather forecasting that provides hourly predictions at higher resolutions than previous models. This development matters because it offers more localized and timely weather information, which can impact various sectors like agriculture, supply chains, and energy production.

Google DeepMind and Google Research have released WeatherNext 3, a new AI model for weather forecasting that will be integrated into Google Search, Maps, and Gemini. This model has demonstrated higher accuracy than other leading AI and traditional forecasting systems, offering improved resolution and rain prediction capabilities.

Google released WeatherNext 3, an updated AI weather model that uses real-time satellite observations to provide more accurate and higher-resolution forecasts, particularly for rain and snowfall. This advancement allows for hourly predictions with improved spatial resolution, addressing gaps in areas with fewer ground-based sensors.