PETALING JAYA: There are plans to get an improved weather forecast system which integrates the use of artificial intelligence (AI), says the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia).
MetMalaysia deputy director- general (operations) Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said the use of AI will also enable more accurate forecasts.
“Currently, we can forecast up to seven days ahead, but we are planning to procure an improved system, which incorporates AI, in the near future. This system will also allow more accurate forecasting over a longer period of time.
“MetMalaysia will always improve its equipment and weather forecast systems by adapting to the latest technologies that are on par with developed countries,” he told The Star in a statement yesterday.
The department was responding to a question on plans to improve the existing infrastructure and systems used for weather forecasts, as well as how it will be beneficial compared with the present system.
On forecasting rates, Mohd Hisham said incidents of thunderstorms and strong winds can only be identified once the early signs have been formed.
“For bigger weather phenomena like typhoon storms and monsoon surges, they can be forecast three to seven days in advance,” he said.
Mohd Hisham added that MetMalaysia will be relocating their office to Labu, Negri Sembilan, to ensure more efficient operations.
Last month, Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad urged MetMalaysia to review its standard operating procedures for weather information, advice and warnings.
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He also stressed the need to ensure updates were issued more frequently during periods of extreme weather.
“This is to ensure that the public is more aware of the current weather conditions to avoid unwanted incidents,” said Nik Nazmi.
Malaysia is currently in the intermonsoon phase and is expected to transition to the northeast monsoon in November.
The northeast monsoon, which brings more frequent rains, usually lasts until early next year.
Earlier this week, Kuala Lumpur came to a halt after a morning downpour saw numerous roads inundated by floodwaters. A landslide occurred at Taman Melawati due to the heavy morning shower.The SMART Tunnel was also closed for flood operations on Tuesday before being reopened at about 3.40pm.
The downpour also saw a kindergarten in Hulu Kelang inundated with knee-high floodwaters.Operations on the Kelana Jaya Light Rail Transit line were disrupted after tracks between the Sri Rampai and Wangsa Maju stations became flooded.
The rains also led to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul calling for a temporary halt to Parliament proceedings as several MPs were stuck in floods.
