A new forecasting system for sudden localized downpours is being tested primarily in the central Tokyo metropolitan area.
Developed by a group of researchers from Riken and other institutes, the system is said to use high-performance weather radar and a supercomputer to predict rain within about 30 minutes by observing and analyzing rain clouds, rainfall and other weather conditions.
The group aims to put the system into practical use in five to 10 years.
The Japan Meteorological Agency currently provides rainfall forecasts based on hourly updated weather data. However, as clouds that produce heavy rain develop in just a few minutes, improving forecasting techniques had been a challenge.
Using cutting-edge radar at Saitama University in Saitama City, the new system is designed to observe rain clouds and other weather conditions within a 60-kilometer radius every 30 seconds. The data are then analyzed immediately on a supercomputer operated by the University of Tsukuba and other institutions to forecast local heavy rains within about 30 minutes.
The group is testing the system through Sept. 5 to confirm the accuracy of its predictions and solicit feedback from users. Rainfall forecasts made under the system are available on Riken's website (https://weather.riken.jp/) and on the 3D Amagumo Weather smartphone app.
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