NOAA Announces Upgrade to Super Computers

news image
Special Stories
16 Aug 2023 12:30 PM

NOAA’s supercomputer Dogwood, located in Manassas, Virginia (2023). (Image credit: NOAA)

We had the opportunity to sit down with the Director of the National Weather Service, Ken Graham to discuss the supercomputer capabilities and how it will improve forecast accuracy and decision making for the nation.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the expansion of the weather "supercomputer" this week - increasing the capacity by 20%. According to NOAA, "the increased computing power and storage will help improve forecast model guidance for years to come and allow for other weather prediction advances."

The Weather and Climate Operational Super Computing System (WCOSS) is actually two systems, the Dogwood and Cactus, located in Manassas, VA and Phoenix, AZ, respectively. The two computers are contracted with General Dynamics Information Technology (GDIT) as part of a acquisition, upgrade, products and services contract spanning 8 years with a 2 year option renewal.  

NOAA scientists expect the increase in computing power to help with more complex forecast models; the upgrade allows for 29 quadrillion calculations ... per second. This allows more data to be imputed into the computers and more data to be stored.

It is part of a plan to upgrade the U.S. "GFS" or Global Forecast System Model and make the model hirer resolution. Currently, it has a 13km resolution, the goal is to get it to 9km. Additional advancements are expected with the "radiatively active aerosols" product to better predict wildfire smoke, dust and fog.

The HRRR, or Rapid Refresh Model will also get a boost, with more forecast potentials and data included in each run of the model.

Over 20 models run on the WCOSS. There are additional supercomputers in West Virginia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Colorado that add to NOAA's fleet. According to the National Weather Service Director, Ken Graham, “This increased supercomputing power allows for upgrades to specific modeling systems that will help weather forecasters deliver more accurate weather forecasts, watches and warnings and improved certainty in a forecast.”

The latest upgrade to the WCOSS comes as NOAA advances the Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System model with the NHC. Now operational, the model aims to better predict rapid intensification and storm surge during hurricanes.

You can read the full press release here.

All Weather News
More
Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another Round of Storms Targets the Northeast

Another cold front is dropping east and will

21 Jul 2026 5:35 PM
Tropics: Tropical Storm Bertha Forms In the Atlantic,  Eastern Pacific Active

Tropics: Tropical Storm Bertha Forms In the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific Active

In the Atlantic basin, we are keeping a very

21 Jul 2026 5:30 PM
Pacific Northwest Fires Bringing Down the Air Quality

Pacific Northwest Fires Bringing Down the Air Quality

Conditions have been real dry out west. We've

21 Jul 2026 5:05 PM
Flash Flooding and Severe Weather for the Carolinas This Week

Flash Flooding and Severe Weather for the Carolinas This Week

Another stalled front in the Carolinas is for

21 Jul 2026 4:40 PM
Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

Another Round of Severe Weather for the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes

The upper-level low train continues to keep t

21 Jul 2026 1:45 AM
Air Quality Improvements in the Forecast

Air Quality Improvements in the Forecast

Wildfires burning in Northwestern Ontario, Ca

20 Jul 2026 7:20 PM
Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

Monsoon Moisture Brings Weekend Flood Threat

The monsoon has returned to the southwestern

19 Jul 2026 1:30 AM