RIKEN scientists are exploring ways to mitigate extreme weather events, such as torrential rain, by making small adjustments in weather systems, leveraging the inherent chaos of these systems. Led by Takemasa Miyoshi, the research is part of Japan’s moonshot-millennia program. Previously, the team used a simplified Lorenz 63 model to demonstrate that minor changes could alter weather conditions. In a new study published in Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics, they utilized the more complex Lorenz 96 model, simulating 100 years of weather data. The results showed that small tweaks, like minor changes in wind speed, could effectively prevent extreme weather events by strategically avoiding chaotic conditions. Miyoshi emphasizes the preference for minimal interventions compared to large-scale geoengineering, noting the ethical and social implications of such weather modification efforts. Future research aims to apply these methods to more realistic weather models.
