New Technique to Detect Storms, Predict Weather Changes

A woman stands in falling snow in front of an electronic sign displaying the weather forecast in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Reuters
A woman stands in falling snow in front of an electronic sign displaying the weather forecast in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Reuters
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New Technique to Detect Storms, Predict Weather Changes

A woman stands in falling snow in front of an electronic sign displaying the weather forecast in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Reuters
A woman stands in falling snow in front of an electronic sign displaying the weather forecast in Times Square in New York City on Jan. 26, 2015. Reuters

A team of researchers from the Universities of Pennsylvania in the US and Almería in Spain, and AccuWeather, Inc. has developed a new computer model that can help forecasters recognize potential severe storms more quickly and accurately.

According to the German News Agency, the new computer model relies on artificial intelligence that detects rotational movements in clouds from satellite images.

When forecasting weather, meteorologists use a number of models and data sources to track shapes and movements of clouds that could indicate severe storms. However, with increasingly expanding weather data sets and looming deadlines, it is nearly impossible for them to monitor all storm formations, especially smaller-scale ones, in real time.

The Science Daily website cited Steve Wistar, senior forensic meteorologist at AccuWeather, saying that having this tool to point the eye toward potentially threatening formations could help in making a better forecast.

In their study, the researchers analyzed more than 50,000 historical weather satellite images. In them, experts identified and labeled the shape and motion of "comma-shaped" clouds that can lead to severe weather.

Then, the researchers fed the artificial intelligence system with these images, in order to teach it how to automatically recognize and detect the comma-shaped clouds in satellite images. The computers can then assist experts by pointing out in real time where to focus their attention in order to detect the onset of severe weather.

The researchers found that their method can effectively detect pre-storm clouds with 99 percent accuracy, at an average of 40 seconds per prediction. It was also able to predict 64 percent of severe weather events, outperforming other existing severe-weather detection methods.



AlUla Launches Summer Fruits Season as Part of 'Khayrat AlUla' Initiative 

The Summer Fruits Season is one of AlUla’s most prominent agricultural production periods, with over 4,900 tons produced annually from around 216,000 fruit-bearing trees. (SPA)
The Summer Fruits Season is one of AlUla’s most prominent agricultural production periods, with over 4,900 tons produced annually from around 216,000 fruit-bearing trees. (SPA)
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AlUla Launches Summer Fruits Season as Part of 'Khayrat AlUla' Initiative 

The Summer Fruits Season is one of AlUla’s most prominent agricultural production periods, with over 4,900 tons produced annually from around 216,000 fruit-bearing trees. (SPA)
The Summer Fruits Season is one of AlUla’s most prominent agricultural production periods, with over 4,900 tons produced annually from around 216,000 fruit-bearing trees. (SPA)

The Summer Fruits Season started in AlUla on Tuesday as part of the “Khayrat AlUla” initiative implemented by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).

The initiative aims to showcase the region’s agricultural diversity and reinforce its connection to the cultural and economic identity of the area.

The season is taking place at Al Manshiyah Farmers' Market from July 22 to 28, where local farmers are presenting a variety of fruits for which AlUla is known, including mangoes, grapes, and figs.

The event also features participation from local productive families in a festive atmosphere that highlights the authenticity and economic importance of agricultural heritage.

The Summer Fruits Season is one of AlUla’s most prominent agricultural production periods, with over 4,900 tons produced annually from around 216,000 fruit-bearing trees.

The event is part of the broader Khayrat AlUla series, which includes seasons for dates, grapes, citrus fruits and honey.

These efforts align with RCU's goals to strengthen food security and develop agricultural communities in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

The season contributes to empowering farmers, expanding marketing channels for their produce, and developing sales outlets connected to visitors, fostering long-term sustainability for the region’s agricultural sector.