Met office to get new super computer

The weather people are to get a brand new super computer to better predict how our weekends will be.

More importantly, it will allow the Bureau of Meteorology to provide more detailed forecasts more often.

That will improve forecasting to better support responses to natural disasters and deliver better information for the public and industries which need reliable weather forecasts.

The government isn't saying what it will cost for commercial reasons, probably because it's currently negotiating with vendors.

Some of the cost will be met from existing bureau resources.

It will replace an older computer which is expected to reach end of life in mid-2016. It's planned the new machine will be in place in 2018-19.

The bureau might be getting a new computer but they're also being whacked for $10 million of savings over four years, starting with $600,000 in 2014-15.