Planette’s QubitCast: NASA’s New Weather Prediction System
A quantum-inspired AI system to transform long-range extreme weather prediction NASA Selects Planette
NASA wants Planette, a top weather intelligence business, to construct QubitCast, a quantum-inspired AI system. This innovative research could detect and anticipate extreme weather events six months or a year ahead, revolutionising long-range weather forecasting. This program was announced in late August 2025 to address the pressing demand for more accurate and timely climate intelligence.
Current weather forecasting technology limitations
Storms, heat waves, and heavy rain are often missed by modern weather forecasts. Long-term climate predictions and short-term weather outlooks differ substantially because most weather modelling systems only cover a 10-day forecast range. Many companies struggle with severe weather preparation due to this information gap.
For long-term projections, classical physics-based simulation models demand massive energy and computer resources, making them expensive and energy-intensive. High-dimensional, complicated data can overwhelm current AI models when trying to understand Earth's complex and interrelated systems, requiring more time and processing capacity. Planette CEO and co-founder Dr. Hansi Singh said “too many critical decisions are made in the dark because reliable long-range forecasts simply haven't been available” due to these constraints.
QubitCast: Next-Generation Forecasting
Planette developed QubitCast technology to circumvent these inherent limits and give essential early warning signals for severe weather with a major impact. This will improve disaster planning. QubitCast, a next-generation forecasting system, integrates physics-based models with artificial intelligence to incorporate air, ocean, and land data. In contrast to conventional procedures.
This layered modelling method aims to improve prediction capabilities beyond 10 days to one year. In long-range or subseasonal-to-seasonal (S2S) weather forecasts from two weeks to two years, the approach aims to improve extreme weather detection.
Quantum-A Inspired Edge
The inventive use of regular computers to apply quantum physics distinguishes QubitCast. Instead of quantum computing's still-emerging and often inaccessible hardware, Planette uses quantum physics-inspired methods including the ability to study several options. This discovery will improve data processing and help the organisation find hidden weather patterns, resulting in more accurate and timely forecasts.
QubitCast's “quantum-inspired” technique preserves key elements while simplifying complex material. Using less energy and processing power, the method is more effective and sustainable for long-range forecasting than earlier systems. According to Planette's Chief Technology Officer and co-founder, Dr. Kalai Ramea, “Planette is one of the first companies to take these methods beyond theory and apply them to weather and climate.”
The device is capable of “reading the entire history of Earth's systems all at once” he said. Instead of scanning year after year and missing important details, Dr. Ramea said their method allows them to “spot anomalies, those needles in the haystack that signal extreme weather events, much faster and more accurately than traditional AI models ever could, while using far less energy”. Finding hidden patterns in Earth's systems' interconnections improves extreme weather detection and warnings.
Extended Benefits and Uses
Such accurate, long-term forecasting affects numerous businesses. According to Dr. Hansi Singh, “QubitCast changes that equation by making subseasonal-to-seasonal forecasting not just more accurate but practical to deploy at scale when making highly consequential decisions,” emphasising the technology's importance. By enabling proactive planning rather than reactive responses, QubitCast's improved lead time should empower many businesses. For instance:
Farmers may better predict weather and optimise crop rotations.
Emergency Management: Allocating resources and raising alerts before significant weather events like hurricane seasons could help emergency management prepare.
Energy: Energy companies might improve system stability and predict weather-driven demand swings.
By delivering earlier and more actionable warnings, this capability should boost resistance to severe weather events.
Innovation financing and context
NASA SBIR funds this huge project. Planette previously received a Phase I SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop NIVA, its AI model for Earth system study. Planette just launched Eddy, a public platform that provides free long-range weather forecasts, demonstrating their commitment to creating weather intelligence technology for the public.
In many areas, quantum-inspired and quantum technologies are becoming more prominent. QubitCast fits into this trend. Microsoft is speeding up its quantum-safe security transition, DARPA awarded Q-CTRL $24.4 million for quantum navigation technology, and AMD and IBM partnered to create quantum-centric supercomputing. Planette's QubitCast shows how quantum physics' conceptual power can open up new possibilities for crucial applications like weather prediction, pointing to a future with better decision-making and improved climate readiness.
