BOM super-computer a potential life-saver

The Bureau of Meteorology's next super-computer should improve its severe weather forecasting and may save lives.

The computer will be up to 20 times more powerful than the one it's replacing, with its capacity set to double again with a mid-life upgrade in 2018, its director says.

BOM director Rob Vertessy says the new computer vastly increases the amount of data the BOM can process, allowing it to run more of the complex weather prediction models more often.

Dr Vertessy says these models, combined with forecasters' knowledge and observations, are the basis of BOM forecasting.

The BOM now produces three-hourly forecasts for every point in a 6km grid across Australia.

Last year, it issued 400,000 forecasts and 17,000 weather warnings.

"That's only possible with a super-computer. All the leading meteorological agencies around the world, and there aren't a large number of those, require a super-computer to run their models on," Dr Vertessy told AAP.

This will be the BOM's eighth super-computer since 1988. Dr Vertessy said that model was less powerful than today's smart phones.

The new one will have the commuting power of about 25,000 desktop machines.

An in-house team is managing the project, with tenders out to purchase IT hardware and build a new data centre in Melbourne. The cost has not been finalised.

"Our chief focus will be improving our severe weather forecasts. That's the business end of weather," Dr Vertessy said.

"That's where all the damage is done. That's where people are at peril - cyclones, fire weather, gales floods, hailstorms.

"We'll be able to do a better job with those forecasts because the higher power of the machine will allow us to pick up those phenomena better."

Dr Vertessy said flourishing technology is changing the face of BOM operations.

"It allows us to re-fashion our services in a way that really resonates with our stakeholders," Dr Vertessy said.

"The public is hungry for this, and we are confident that we can deliver some exciting products in the years ahead."