Google introduces WeatherNext 2

Google announced the rollout of WeatherNext 2, its latest artificial‑intelligence weather model, across a suite of products. The system will appear in Search, Maps, Gemini, Pixel phones, Google Earth Engine, and BigQuery, giving users faster and more precise forecasts.

Speed and accuracy improvements

According to Google, WeatherNext 2 generates forecasts up to eight times faster than the previous AI model while delivering higher accuracy for key variables such as temperature and wind. The model can predict 99.9 percent of these variables and can produce hundreds of potential outcomes from a single starting point in less than a minute using a TPU chip—an operation that would normally take several hours on a traditional supercomputer.

Technical approach

The new system relies on a Functional Generative Network (FGN). Unlike older AI weather models that required repeated processing, the FGN injects targeted randomness into each input, allowing WeatherNext 2 to generate many different outcomes in a single step. This efficiency enables hourly forecasts up to 15 days in advance.

Enterprise and industry focus

Google is marketing WeatherNext 2 to both consumers and businesses. The company highlights interest from sectors such as energy, agriculture, transportation, and logistics, where one‑hour‑step forecasts can support more precise decision‑making. An early‑access program is available for customers who want custom modeling capabilities.

Competitive landscape

Google acknowledges competition from other organizations developing AI weather models, including the European Centre for Medium‑Range Weather Forecasts, Nvidia, and Huawei.

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