Met Éireann has announced a new multi-million-euro academic research programme at University College Dublin (UCD) to support the further development of weather and climate services using data science and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
In direct response to the impacts of climate change, the collaboration will focus on making Ireland more weather and climate prepared, by enhancing and improving the level of information available to the public using the latest innovations in data science and AI.
The programme will involve the conducting of cutting-edge studies of high-impact weather and flood forecasting.
Met Éireann said the research and development of AI models and techniques will enable it to build on its existing state-of-the-art forecasting capabilities.
The knowledge gained will be used to train the next generation of scientists and engineers.
The Met Éireann Weather and Climate Research Professorship will incorporate a €1 million annual investment for an initial period of five years.
"This Professorship is an innovative and first-of-its-kind partnership for Met Éireann," said Eoin Moran, Director of Met Éireann.
"In doing this, we are putting Met Éireann at the forefront of technological developments that will shape national meteorological and hydrological services for years to come," Mr Moran added.
Professor Helen Roche, UCD's Interim Vice-President for Research, Impact and Innovation said the emergence of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning provides an opportunity to enhance forecasting capabilities.
"This ground-breaking partnership between UCD and Met Éireann will help produce the next generation of climate and weather scientists and help ensure that we have the tools and expertise needed to tackle the climate emergency," Professor Roche said.
