June 28, 2024 - by Maria Grazia Giuffreda, CSCS
Together we succeed
On June 25, during a press conference broadcasted from MeteoSwiss Headquarters in Zurich and the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre in Lugano, experts from MeteoSwiss and CSCS unveiled the new ICON numerical model. The ICON model, based on the icosahedron geometric figure, represents a significant upgrade in weather forecasting capabilities for Switzerland.
The icosahedron makes the difference!
When meteorologists simulate atmospheric phenomena, they start by dividing the area of interest into a grid. In the COSMO model, each grid element was cubic, whereas in the ICON model, the grid is icosahedral based on triangles. This allows for greater detail and a better understanding of Switzerland's complex topography of mountains and valleys. Marco Gaia, Head of Forecasting and Consulting at MeteoSwiss, is even expecting the new model to allow for more detailed zooming into areas of interest.
ICON and “Alps”: A Perfect Match
The complexity of the ICON model's equations and the enormous amount of data it generates necessitate a new, flexible, and innovative computing infrastructure like "Alps" at CSCS. This powerful combination will even allow ICON to tackle new challenges, including studying climate changes over decades.
The transition to ICON marks a significant step forward in weather forecasting, leveraging advanced technology and a powerful computing infrastructure to provide more accurate and detailed forecasts.