Sample model output for temperature over Victoria.

Specialised weather forecasting service

Our specialised weather forecasts offer valuable information for industry and community.

• 31 May 2005 | Updated 14 October 2011

CSIRO'S specialised weather forecasts offer valuable information targeted at the needs of the financial and energy sectors, and for many other applications across industry.

We provide tailored forecasting products, such as weather derivatives (trades in degree days, weather futures, swap options).

We can also produce sport and recreation forecasts on such things as wind speed and direction for yacht racers, surfers and windsurfers.

CSIRO uses two models for forecasting:

• DARLAM is a regional model that has been run operationally to 500 metre resolution to provide detailed forecasts.
• CCAM is a new global model that requires only initial conditions. It can operate in stretched mode, allowing for detailed forecasts over limited regions. CSIRO has used CCAM since 1997 to provide eight-day forecasts. The model incorporates the latest land-surface scheme, which provides detailed, accurate depictions of surface conditions. CCAM has proved itself in numerous international model comparisons.

CSIRO provides the service in two ways:

• sending forecast data to clients
• leasing systems allowing the client to generate their own forecasts.

Where the system is leased, we supply training and can develop custom interfaces.

CSIRO welcomes enquiries regarding niche weather forecast services to meet other specialised needs.

Discover more about CSIRO is Understanding and predicting climate change.