Disaster forecast system supported by YNU computer turned on

The Yunnan Regional Rapid Assimilation Forecast System – supported by the Yunling No 1 business host computer at Yunnan University's Advanced Computing Center – recently began operating, providing high-resolution weather forecasts with a lead time of six hours.

Yunnan University, or YNU is located in Kunming – capital of Southwest China's Yunnan province. The new system offers precise data support for short-term weather warnings, particularly for severe convective weather.

It is said to mark a significant step forward in enhancing flood control and disaster prevention efforts in the region.

The system generates a high-resolution forecast. [Photo/ynu.edu.cn]

The achievement comes in the wake of extensive collaboration between Yunnan University, the Yunnan Meteorological Bureau and the Guangdong Meteorological Bureau.

Yunnan province, located on a low-latitude plateau, features complex terrain and diverse climatic conditions. Localized and sudden weather events frequently occur – such as heavy rain and severe convections, that pose serious threats to people's safety and property due to related disasters like flash floods and landslides.

The newly operational system is designed to meet the disaster prevention and mitigation needs of mountainous plateau regions.

It balances short-term and near-term forecasting requirements, updates four times daily and overcomes key technical challenges in Yunnan's meteorological forecasting.

In high-impact weather forecasting, the system can serve as a crucial decision-making tool. For instance, during Tropical Storm Yagi, which moved westwards and affected Yunnan in 2024, the system provided valuable guidance in predicting rainfall distribution and movement trends, significantly improving the accuracy of the forecasts.

The new system is believed to represent a milestone in Yunnan's meteorological capabilities – strengthening the province's ability to monitor, predict and respond to extreme weather events, ultimately safeguarding lives and property.