Brazil now has a new supercomputer that promises to dramatically increase the accuracy of weather forecasts in the country. Installed at the CPTEC (Center for Weather Forecasting and Climate Studies) in Cachoeira Paulista, São Paulo, the equipment is six times faster than the old Tupã system, in operation since 2010.
The new supercomputer processes a much larger volume of weather data in minutes, not hours, and can store 24 times more information. This will allow it to identify, for example, with accuracy down to one square kilometer, when and where rain is expected to fall.
In addition to improving forecasts, the system can save lives by anticipating natural disasters. Events like the floods in São Sebastião, São Paulo, which caused dozens of deaths in 2023, can be monitored much more accurately and in advance.
The supercomputer operates 24 hours a day, receiving data from satellites, planes, ships, balloons, and weather stations across the country. The processing will be updated every six hours, allowing it to monitor atmospheric changes in near real time.
To maintain the operation, which costs around R$6 million per year, a solar energy center was created and will begin operating in 2026, ensuring a sustainable source for the data center's high energy and cooling consumption.
In addition to daily forecasts, the supercomputer will enable seasonal forecasts to support sectors such as agriculture, energy, and public health. Agribusiness, which accounts for 23% of GDP, could benefit from more accurate alerts for crop management and protection against extreme weather events.
The new system will also help monitor fires, guide water resource management, and feed long-term climate models, essential for planning actions against climate change.
The supercomputer doesn't yet have an official name; it will be chosen by popular vote in a campaign promoted by INPE. It is expected to officially begin operating in December, marking a technological leap for Brazil.
all the content of Canal Solar is protected by copyright law, and partial or total reproduction of this site in any medium is expressly prohibited. If you are interested in collaborating or reusing part of our material, please contact us by email: redacao@canalsolar.com.br.
