Nordic cooperation is expanding

The collaboration between MET and SMHI, MetCoOp, started in 2010 and since 2014, the departments have benefited from forecasts from the same weather model. In 2017, (FMI) also joined MetCoOp. Many countries have followed the cooperation with interest and in the long run, seven North European countries will also join in a collaboration.

From 2022, the baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will also join, it might then be called UWC-East (UWC = United Weather Centers). Also from 2022, UWC-West (KNMI, DMI, Met Éireann and Veðurstofa Islands) will start joint operational production.

From 2027 UWC-East and UWC-West will be running joint production from a common data centre.

The effect is that the numerical meteorological institutes (NMSs) can jointly do what they would not get on either side: Ensure a weather-ready Nordic society, strengthen the high impact weather warnings, enhancing safety and securing life and properties for their citizens.

Computer demanding

The ten northern countries behind the project United Weather Centres (UWC) has one primary goal: to create a common weather forecasting model, to provide the best short-range weather forecasts possible.

Weather prediction requires huge amounts of expensive computing power, weather observations and research. New technology are changing the context and opportunities for weather services. Global companies with enough money to invest in High Performance Computers (HPCs) and artificial intelligence research, are able to challenge the established NMSs. Instead of working separately, ten northern countries have agreed to join their forces.

Weather forecast system MEPS

MET, SMHI and FMI use a weather model for weather forecasts that we call MEPS (MetCoOp Ensemble Prediction System). The weather model makes ensemble forecasts. This means that one starts from a composition of several forecasts and quantifies the outcome space of possible weather developments, which depends on the weather itself, rather than looking at a single forecast. Such a compilation of forecasts makes it easier to count on the probability of extreme weather.