Bloggers Issue Unauthorized AI-Generated Typhoon Forecasts in China
Online bloggers in China reportedly used AI weather forecast models to publish typhoon predictions and rainfall forecasts on social media platforms, charging approximately 10 yuan per prediction for certain locations. Such unauthorized weather forecasts violate Chinese meteorological law, which requires only official meteorological agencies to issue public weather warnings and typhoon forecasts to the general public.
What happened
Online bloggers in China, often identifying themselves as 'weather enthusiasts', used open-source AI meteorological models to independently publish typhoon path predictions and rainfall forecasts on social media platforms.
Some bloggers charged approximately 10 yuan per paid forecast for specific locations. The forecasts were issued as the Central Meteorological Bureau predicted typhoon 'Bavi' would strike China's southeastern coast.
Reported impact
Legal experts stated that unauthorized weather forecasts could mislead the public and cause panic or social misunderstanding.
The bloggers' information dissemination potentially constitutes a violation of the Meteorology Law.
Index analysis
AI meteorological models currently have limited spatial resolution (approximately 25 kilometers between data points), insufficient for detailed localized forecasts.
The models perform poorly on extreme weather phenomena such as extreme rainfall and extreme wind speeds, requiring further improvement before accurate deployment.
Governance controls
China's Meteorology Law explicitly mandates that public weather forecasts and disaster weather warnings operate under a unified release system, with only meteorological agencies under the meteorological authority permitted to issue such forecasts.
Article 38 of the Meteorology Law provides that illegal release of public weather forecasts or disaster weather warnings to society may result in correction orders, warnings, and fines of up to 50,000 yuan.
Academic experts noted that the law requires mandatory release by meteorological departments to prevent public confusion, and social media platforms should restrict such content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.