The Central Weather Bureau’s (CWB) computing capacity will be five times faster and more powerful than at present once forecasting technology and equipment are upgraded, bureau officials said yesterday.
Europe’s weather computing ability is 24 times faster than that of Taiwan, while the US’ computing ability is 11 times more powerful. Even China’s ability is 1.7 times stronger than Taiwan’s, said Chen Chia-ping (程家平), deputy director of the CWB’s computer center.
The bureau announced on Friday that it would invest NT$1.9 billion (US$59 million) over the next six years to strengthen forecasting technology.
The upgrading plan has been mooted by the bureau since 2007, but took on greater urgency after criticism by President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) over inaccurate rainfall forecasts prior to the arrival of Typhoon Morakot and the massive precipitation it brought that devastated southern Taiwan, Chen said.
The government took the brunt of the blame for failing to respond promptly and efficiently to the disaster, but some officials felt meteorologists could have provided more timely rainfall forecasts.
“The new equipment is expected to enable our meteorologists to provide much more timely and long-range rainfall projections,” Chen said.
The number of areas covered by weather forecasters and monitoring stations will also be increased from the current 22 cities and counties to 300 townships nationwide once the upgrading of engineering is completed, he added.
The bureau currently begins forecasting the path of tropical storms approaching Taiwan five days in advance, which will be increased to seven days in advance once the upgrade has been completed.
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