Microsoft expands AI model Aurora to improve global weather forecasts
Open-source Aurora allows national meteorological services and researchers to tailor forecasts to local environments, supporting disaster preparedness and resilience.
Extreme weather displaced over 800,000 people worldwide in 2024, highlighting the importance of accurate forecasts for saving lives, protecting infrastructure, and supporting economies. Farmers, coastal communities, and energy operators rely on timely forecasts to prepare and respond effectively.
Microsoft is reaffirming its commitment to Aurora, an AI model designed to help scientists better understand Earth systems. Trained on vast datasets, Aurora can predict weather, track hurricanes, monitor air quality, and model ocean waves and energy flows.
The platform will remain open-source, enabling researchers worldwide to innovate, collaborate, and apply it to new climate and weather challenges.
Through partnerships with Professor Rich Turner at the University of Cambridge and initiatives like SPARROW, Microsoft is expanding access to high-quality environmental data.
Community-deployable weather stations are improving data coverage and forecast reliability in underrepresented regions. Aurora’s open-source releases, including model weights and training pipelines, will let scientists and developers adapt and build upon the platform.
The AI model has applications beyond research, with energy companies, commodity traders, and national meteorological services exploring its use.
By supporting forecasting systems tailored to local environments, Aurora aims to improve resilience against extreme weather, optimise renewable energy, and drive innovation across multiple industries, from humanitarian aid to financial services.
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