Why is China developing its own weather data?

China aims for technological independence and national security, reducing reliance on foreign climate datasets like Europe's ERA5.

What is ERA5 and why is it important?

ERA5 is a benchmark European climate reanalysis dataset crucial for understanding trends and improving weather forecasts.

What is China's homegrown weather dataset called?

China's homegrown dataset is called CMA-RA V1.5, which has recently been made available globally.

Home / Science / China Builds Its Own Weather Data, Cuts EU Reliance

China Builds Its Own Weather Data, Cuts EU Reliance

23 Dec

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Summary

China aims to end reliance on European ERA5 climate data.
Homegrown CMA-RA V1.5 dataset now available globally.
Meteorological data is vital for China's national security.

China Builds Its Own Weather Data, Cuts EU Reliance

China is actively pursuing meteorological independence by developing its own high-value climate datasets, aiming to reduce reliance on European resources like the ERA5 benchmark. This initiative aligns with Beijing's broader goals of technological self-sufficiency and national security, particularly as artificial intelligence transforms weather forecasting capabilities.

The European ERA5 dataset, a product of complex climate reanalysis, has been instrumental for decades in understanding climate trends and managing risks like floods and wildfires. However, China perceives this dependence as a potential vulnerability, prompting a dedicated push for domestic alternatives. This move underscores the strategic importance of meteorological information.

In response, China has made its updated global reanalysis, CMA-RA V1.5, accessible worldwide. This signifies a significant step in establishing a homegrown alternative. Some Chinese AI models are already being trained on this domestic data, indicating progress in their ambition to lead in AI-powered weather forecasting.