IBM Uses a Supercomputer to Power an iPad Weather App

IBM is using an iPad to showcase Deep Thunder, a targeted weather forecasting program powered by a parallel processing supercomputer, reports TPM. The company took the program to lawmakers on Capitol Hill last Wednesday to show it off.

"When you think of supercomputing, your mind doesn't immediately jump to weather forecasting," said Michael Valocchi, vice president and partner at IBM's energy utilities division, in a briefing with TPM. "Weather forecasting doesn't sound exciting, but what we've found is that our system allows for an unprecedented granular look at incoming weather over an 84-hour period in a specific location, down to within a square mile, much more detailed than any other current weather forecast can provide."

The incredibly detailed forecast is calculated by using a combination of weather data from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, the U.S. Geological Survey, WeatherBug, and other weather sensors on the ground, including IBM's own sensors.


Unfortunately, the app isn't available to the consumer market yet but IBM is already working with cities, companies and even the Olympics to put its weather data to good use.

Read More [via CultofMac]