New Tier-1 supercomputer accelerates weather and climate research

The new Tier-1 supercomputer Sofia, operated by the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and housed at the Nexus Datacenter in Zellik, marks a new era for weather and climate research in Flanders. With its immense computing power, Sofia will support researchers across a wide range of disciplines, from climate science to artificial intelligence and data analysis.

For climate scientists, the supercomputer is particularly valuable. As climate change increases the frequency of extreme weather events, detailed models are needed to better understand and predict them. Thanks to the high resolution of the simulations, researchers can “zoom in” locally and produce more accurate forecasts of heatwaves and intense rainfall, explains VUB Professor Lesley De Cruz.

Artificial intelligence is playing an increasingly important role in this context. Unlike the energy-intensive use of large language models, AI in meteorology can actually be more efficient. Specialized AI models can replace complex calculations and consume less energy, although they must first be trained. Powerful GPUs are essential for this training and Sofia is equipped with exactly that.

Using these GPUs, researchers are developing ultra-fast prediction models for local climate extremes. For example, an AI-based precipitation model learns from historical radar and satellite images to forecast how rainfall will evolve over the coming hours. This gives crisis managers crucial lead time to respond to impending flooding, such as during the Vesder Valley floods in 2021.

Supercomputer Sofia is part of the Flemish Supercomputer Centre and will be available to all Flemish universities, colleges, research institutions, and companies. With its sustainable design and powerful infrastructure, it represents a major milestone for research, innovation, and AI in Flanders.

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