How meteorologist Jane Bunn uses AI to update weather forecasts 18 times a day

Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.
Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.
Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.
Weather watchers across regional Australia will have access to cutting-edge forecasting and rainfall information in their pocket following a deal between ACM, the publisher of this masthead, and weather forecasting platform Jane's Weather.
The partnership will enhance ACM weather portal farmonlineweather.com.au with a suite of Jane's Weather services powered by artificial intelligence as well as the exclusive insights of veteran meteorologist Jane Bunn.
Jane's Weather forecasts are updated 18 times a day through a weather station network three times the size of the Bureau of Meteorology network.
"We're really excited to see the Jane's Weather AI Forecast powering farmonlineweather.com.au, with our interactive maps, warnings that clearly show if you are in the danger zone, all the long-range climate tools and the latest weather news," Ms Bunn, meteorologist for 7News Melbourne, said.
"I've always been passionate about making sure the right weather information gets through to as many people as possible, and it's thrilling to see our AI-powered weather helping Australians across the country."
The ACM network's reach will put Ms Bunn's expertise and hyper-local, AI-powered forecasts at the fingertips of more regional Australians.
Farmonlineweather.com.au is part of the ACM Agri division that includes long-standing specialist agricultural publications The Land in NSW, Victoria's Stock & Land, SA's Stock Journal, Queensland Country Life and WA's Farm Weekly.
The weather portal will integrate Jane's Weather's powerful forecasting engine, which is already used by leading farm businesses, construction companies and local councils.
Ms Bunn said her forecasts out to eight days were formulated using multiple global weather models and machine learning and were "better than other sources of weather information, especially in regional areas".
"We've been really pleased with the accuracy," she said of her service's coverage beyond the Bureau of Meteorology's weather stations.
"We have got a network of 2500 stations ... significantly more than the BOM, which helps increase the accuracy of the forecasts."
ACM chief financial officer Chris Hitch said: "As Australia's leading agricultural media network, reaching 78 per cent of Australian farmers, ACM Agri is delighted to deliver them both a new, exclusive weather column from Jane as well as access to the most thorough free forecasts via farmonlineweather.com.au".
Ms Bunn expects AI to enhance the accuracy of long-range forecasts: "With the 8-10 day forecast, the events are already happening, but longer term forecasts are a different kettle of fish. You don't know how many low pressure systems will connect with a feed of moisture. It is very complex.
"There is a lot of machine learning still to come before the AI can deep dive into the data, but we've seen great results with AI in the short-term forecast and I'd love to see that moved into the longer-term window, which is of course what farmers really want.
"AI can do things we haven't been able to with the traditional models and it is a very exciting space."
She said a key priority would be getting more data points.
"The more stations and data we have, the more complete and the more accurate our forecasts become."
Ms Bunn said her connections with the agricultural sector had played a key role in establishing her business.
"Through my work as a meteorologist I was frequently presenting at agricultural events and I was always being asked what weather app I recommended," she said.
"We'd progressed really rapidly from having a limited set of sources via the Bureau of Meteorology and the forecasts you got in the papers and on TV to having so much information out there, but there wasn't anyone collating that information and presenting it in the way farmers need.
"That is the aim of Jane's Weather, to provide that critical information in a meaningful way."
With this in mind, Ms Bunn said the service looked to survey information from a variety of different models to provide growers with an overall view of the outlook.
"We're aiming to dampen that roller coaster that goes with using just one model which may go from 50mm in the first run to 2mm the next then back up to 30mm after that, utilising a range of information gives you a clearer picture," she said.

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Our target was diesel [performance] or better. "It offers hybrid propulsion, [better] fuel economy, and the superpower of Pro Power Onboard. "It's the right time for a PHEV, and unlocking this new superpower for Ranger. This is going to show our customers the benefits of electrification without any tradeoff to what the truck is capable of." Of the three PHEV utes now available in Australia, the Ranger is the most expensive – the base XLT is priced from $71,990 before on-road costs, more than the most expensive Cannon Alpha PHEV and Shark 6. BYD has already reacted to the arrival of the Ranger PHEV, stating it's not worried about the new electrified ute. "I wouldn't say that we're worried," BYD Australia senior product planning manager, Sajid Hasan told CarExpert. "We respect them, direct competitors, but we're more focused on ourselves and working to expand the Shark 6 lineup and see where that takes us." MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford says its new Ranger PHEV ute is the 'best tool for the job', despite it failing to match key rivals on battery capacity, power, and electric driving range. Launched in the Australian market last month ahead of imminent customer deliveries, plug-in hybrid versions of the Ranger are propelled by the combination of a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder engine and a rear-mounted electric motor, producing a combined 207kW of power and 697Nm of torque. The electric motor sources power from an 11.8kWh lithium-ion battery, which caps the ute's electric driving range at a claimed 49km on the NEDC cycle. The Ranger PHEV is one of three plug-in hybrid utes now available Down Under, alongside the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV. Both Chinese rivals outgun the Ranger on power, EV range and fuel-efficiency, calling into question the competitiveness of Ford's newest model. However, Ford is hanging its hat on the Ranger PHEV's superior payload and towing capacity. All variants can tow up to 3500kg, and payloads range between 808-973kg. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Cannon Alpha equals Ford's Ranger in the towing stakes, but neither the GWM (790kg) nor the BYD (685kg) promise an equivalent payload. It's those attributes that local ute buyers value most, according to senior Ford product executive, Jim Baumbick. "We've always tried to develop the best tool for the job," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "When you talk to truck customers they want payload and towing. EV range matters, but in context when you're adding more battery you're working counter to the payload and towing. "You can increase the battery size, but then you have to increase the size of other parts to carry that weight. It's about system optimisation. We think it's the right balance for a first application." Ford is also spruiking the vehicle-to-load charging capabilities (V2L) of the Ranger PHEV. It features a pair of 15A power outlets, which allow owners to plug electrical applicances into the vehicle to use it as a generator. Ford dubs this 'Pro Power Onboard' and it offers a total capacity of 6900W, which exceeds the capacity of both the Shark 6 and Cannon Alpha PHEV. Ultimately, Ford has attempted to create an electrified version of Australia's best-selling vehicle that outperforms its diesel stablemates while staying true to the roots of the Ranger brand. "The PHEV isn't just an alternative, it can do everything the diesel can do and then some. The truck is more capable because it's a hybrid. It still does truck things but there's a new thing it can do with exportable power," said Mr Baumbick. "For us, it was about optimising the system for performance, towing and capability. Our target was diesel [performance] or better. "It offers hybrid propulsion, [better] fuel economy, and the superpower of Pro Power Onboard. "It's the right time for a PHEV, and unlocking this new superpower for Ranger. This is going to show our customers the benefits of electrification without any tradeoff to what the truck is capable of." Of the three PHEV utes now available in Australia, the Ranger is the most expensive – the base XLT is priced from $71,990 before on-road costs, more than the most expensive Cannon Alpha PHEV and Shark 6. BYD has already reacted to the arrival of the Ranger PHEV, stating it's not worried about the new electrified ute. "I wouldn't say that we're worried," BYD Australia senior product planning manager, Sajid Hasan told CarExpert. "We respect them, direct competitors, but we're more focused on ourselves and working to expand the Shark 6 lineup and see where that takes us." MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from: Ford says its new Ranger PHEV ute is the 'best tool for the job', despite it failing to match key rivals on battery capacity, power, and electric driving range. Launched in the Australian market last month ahead of imminent customer deliveries, plug-in hybrid versions of the Ranger are propelled by the combination of a 2.3-litre turbo-petrol four cylinder engine and a rear-mounted electric motor, producing a combined 207kW of power and 697Nm of torque. The electric motor sources power from an 11.8kWh lithium-ion battery, which caps the ute's electric driving range at a claimed 49km on the NEDC cycle. The Ranger PHEV is one of three plug-in hybrid utes now available Down Under, alongside the BYD Shark 6 and GWM Cannon Alpha PHEV. Both Chinese rivals outgun the Ranger on power, EV range and fuel-efficiency, calling into question the competitiveness of Ford's newest model. However, Ford is hanging its hat on the Ranger PHEV's superior payload and towing capacity. All variants can tow up to 3500kg, and payloads range between 808-973kg. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. The Cannon Alpha equals Ford's Ranger in the towing stakes, but neither the GWM (790kg) nor the BYD (685kg) promise an equivalent payload. It's those attributes that local ute buyers value most, according to senior Ford product executive, Jim Baumbick. "We've always tried to develop the best tool for the job," Mr Baumbick told Australian media at the international launch of the Ranger PHEV. "When you talk to truck customers they want payload and towing. EV range matters, but in context when you're adding more battery you're working counter to the payload and towing. "You can increase the battery size, but then you have to increase the size of other parts to carry that weight. It's about system optimisation. We think it's the right balance for a first application." Ford is also spruiking the vehicle-to-load charging capabilities (V2L) of the Ranger PHEV. It features a pair of 15A power outlets, which allow owners to plug electrical applicances into the vehicle to use it as a generator. Ford dubs this 'Pro Power Onboard' and it offers a total capacity of 6900W, which exceeds the capacity of both the Shark 6 and Cannon Alpha PHEV. Ultimately, Ford has attempted to create an electrified version of Australia's best-selling vehicle that outperforms its diesel stablemates while staying true to the roots of the Ranger brand. "The PHEV isn't just an alternative, it can do everything the diesel can do and then some. The truck is more capable because it's a hybrid. It still does truck things but there's a new thing it can do with exportable power," said Mr Baumbick. "For us, it was about optimising the system for performance, towing and capability. Our target was diesel [performance] or better. "It offers hybrid propulsion, [better] fuel economy, and the superpower of Pro Power Onboard. "It's the right time for a PHEV, and unlocking this new superpower for Ranger. This is going to show our customers the benefits of electrification without any tradeoff to what the truck is capable of." Of the three PHEV utes now available in Australia, the Ranger is the most expensive – the base XLT is priced from $71,990 before on-road costs, more than the most expensive Cannon Alpha PHEV and Shark 6. BYD has already reacted to the arrival of the Ranger PHEV, stating it's not worried about the new electrified ute. "I wouldn't say that we're worried," BYD Australia senior product planning manager, Sajid Hasan told CarExpert. "We respect them, direct competitors, but we're more focused on ourselves and working to expand the Shark 6 lineup and see where that takes us." MORE: Explore the Ford Ranger showroom Content originally sourced from: