Thanks to more powerful and reliable super computers - NOAA - the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - is now using enhanced weather and marine forecast models for the Great Lakes. That means that forecasts can be extended from 36 to 60 hours into the future to better serve mariners, the shipping industry, emergency responders, water resource managers and others.

The Great Lakes Operational Forecast System is now running on the super computers. They operate around the clock, offering a more reliable computing framework to generate Great Lakes forecast models and ultimately producing more timely forecasts.

It also marks a first step toward linking NOAA's environmental modeling efforts with state-of-the art technology that paves the way for a more seamless way to deliver forecasts.