Microsoft has a new machine learning tool to improve weather forecasts

<figure> <img alt="Art depicts palm trees over an image of a swirling tropical storm." data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/02/STK438_CLIMATE_CHANGE_G.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;crop=0,0,100,100" /> <figcaption> </figcaption> </figure> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Old-school physics-based weather forecasting and even new AI models typically become less reliable beyond two weeks, a problem Microsoft claims to have solved using machine learning.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Researchers with the company say they've found a new, cost-effective way to make more accurate weather forecasts two to six weeks in advance - allowing farmers and emergency responders to plan ahead with greater certainty. The findings were <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-11126-x">published</a> today in the journal <em>Nature</em>, and the tool is now <a href="https://github.com/mouatadid/pbc">open-source software</a>.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">Microsoft joins <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/988921/weather-forecast-ai-model-google-satellite-update">Google</a>, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-26/nvidia-launches-ai-technologies-to-aid-weather-forecasting?embedded-checkout=true">Nvidia</a>, and other <a href="https://www.fastcompany.com/91548095/ai-just-changed-everything-about-how-we-forecast-the-weather">companies developing AI tools</a> for weather forecasting. Instead of creating a new standalone weather …</p> <p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/science/1011127/ai-weather-forecast-microsoft">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>