Seminar Speaker: Distinguished Alumnus-Fanglin Yang, NOAA

Bridging Tradition and Innovation: The Evolution of NOAA Global Forecast System and the Rise of AI/ML

This seminar explores the evolution of the National Weather Service medium-range weather prediction capabilities, centered on the NOAA Global Forecast System (GFS). For decades, the GFS has been the cornerstone of operational numerical weather prediction in the United States. This presentation details the historical development of the GFS, tracing its progress through advancements in dynamical cores, physical parameterizations, and data assimilation techniques that have steadily improved forecast skill. A pivotal shift in recent years is the transition from legacy frameworks to the community-based Unified Forecast System (UFS). The UFS fosters a more collaborative, transparent, and efficient development environment, accelerating the integration of research innovations into operational products. This seminar introduces recent advancements in fully coupled global Earth-system prediction systems for medium-range, sub-seasonal, and seasonal forecasting. Looking ahead, we will examine the shift toward hybrid modeling in National Weather Service operations, integrating traditional high-resolution physical models with emerging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) techniques. This evolution marks a new era in weather forecasting, enabling more accurate, timely, and actionable information to better protect life and property. 

https://illinois.zoom.us/j/87247933909?pwd=Yg9a5afZrUDAodWJBhap3HvxzMVVeo.1

Meeting ID: 872 4793 3909     Pass Code: 202496