How meteorologist Jane Bunn uses AI to update weather forecasts 18 times a day

The Advertiser

6 hours ago

Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.
Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.
Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.
Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.