numerical weather prediction

noun

1. a method of predicting weather through the use of high-speed computers, specifically by the time integration of the fundamental equations of hydrodynamics in a mathematically modeled atmosphere.

Word History and Origins

Origin of numerical weather prediction¹

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

First deployed during World War II to simulate nuclear weapons and artillery trajectories, nascent computers were soon adopted by meteorologists to simulate the future state of the atmosphere, creating the modern discipline of numerical weather prediction.

From Science Magazine

No one expects traditional numerical weather prediction to disappear; climate models, for example, rely on the same equation-solving paradigm.

From Science Magazine

This finding can be used to improve numerical weather prediction of nearshore cloud formation and rainfall patterns across the Hawaiian Islands.

From Science Daily

Despite the rarity of tropical cyclones reaching California, numerical weather prediction models since the storm's formation have generally shown Hilary likely to accelerate along the west coast of Baja California and pushing into Southern California.

From Salon

Conventional forecasts rely on a system known as numerical weather prediction.

From Scientific American