Quantum-enhanced deep learning for severe weather prediction: a 10-qubit QCNN-LSTM for bow echo forecasting
Hélène Canot, Université de Bretagne-Sud, UMR 6205, Laboratoire de Mathématiques de Bretagne Atlantique, Vannes F-56000, France, Philippe Durand, Emmanuel Frénod, Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers, Département de Mathématiques et Statistiques (M2N), 292 rue Saint-Martin, Paris Cedex 75141, France
We present a quantum-enhanced deep learning framework for short-term forecasting of extreme convective weather systems, specifically targeting the formation of bow echo structures through prediction clouds. Our approach integrates a quantum convolutional neural network (QCNN) into a classical convolutional neural network-long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) pipeline, incorporating a 10-qubit variational quantum circuit executed on the lightning.qubit simulator. The model is trained using heterogeneous meteorological data (satellite images, convective available potential energy (CAPE) fields, lightning activity) from the extreme storm that hit the Corsican coast on August 18, 2022, preceding the convective event and evaluated during the critical intensification window (0700–0800 h). We compare this hybrid quantum model with classical CNN-LSTM and CNN-LSTM-Transformer architectures using three complementary metrics: Root mean squared error (RMSE), structural similarity index (SSIM), and Wasserstein distance. The quantum model demonstrates superior robustness to input noise and adversarial perturbations fast gradient sign method (FGSM), maintaining spatial coherence and stable prediction under degradation. These findings highlight the capacity of quantum circuits to encode more resilient representations for meteorological inference. This study provides a concrete application of hybrid QCNN architectures in the domain of extreme weather forecasting and lays the groundwork for future integration of topological data analysis to assess the preservation of topological features in quantum predictions.
We present a quantum-enhanced deep learning framework for short-term forecasting of extreme convective weather systems, specifically targeting the formation of bow echo structures through prediction clouds. Our approach integrates a quantum convolutional neural network (QCNN) into a classical convolutional neural network-long short-term memory (CNN-LSTM) pipeline, incorporating a 10-qubit variational quantum circuit executed on the lightning.qubit simulator. The model is trained using heterogeneous meteorological data (satellite images, convective available potential energy (CAPE) fields, lightning activity) from the extreme storm that hit the Corsican coast on August 18, 2022, preceding the convective event and evaluated during the critical intensification window (0700–0800 h). We compare this hybrid quantum model with classical CNN-LSTM and CNN-LSTM-Transformer architectures using three complementary metrics: Root mean squared error (RMSE), structural similarity index (SSIM), and Wasserstein distance. The quantum model demonstrates superior robustness to input noise and adversarial perturbations fast gradient sign method (FGSM), maintaining spatial coherence and stable prediction under degradation. These findings highlight the capacity of quantum circuits to encode more resilient representations for meteorological inference. This study provides a concrete application of hybrid QCNN architectures in the domain of extreme weather forecasting and lays the groundwork for future integration of topological data analysis to assess the preservation of topological features in quantum predictions.
Forecasting weather is critical in different application sectors and affects decision-making and resource distribution. Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models are popular, but they can be improved even further with the use of quantum computing techniques. This paper discusses a Quantum Long Short-Term Memory (QLSTM) simulated in PennyLane-based simulators. According to the experimental results, the suggested QLSTM model produced a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.009066, a test mean square error (MSE) of 0.000162, and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.999846, surpassing both quantum models and classical baselines. These results highlight the potential of quantum-assisted architectures to improve accuracy in weather prediction. The research advances weather forecasting and contributes to quantum computing applications, guiding researchers in developing precise weather prediction models and enhancing decision-making in weather-sensitive domains. The proposed 4-qubit quantum model was tested with noise models, and it demonstrated high learning efficiency and strong robustness against realistic NISQ-level noise, maintaining stable optimization and low error even under moderate perturbations. • Quantum LSTM Development: The classical LSTM was extended into the quantum domain using Variational Quantum Circuits (VQCs) for feature extraction and data compression, applied to weather prediction tasks. • Experimental Evaluation: Three QLSTM variants (4, 6, and 8 qubit) were tested on two weather datasets and compared with classical LSTM and state-of-the-art QLSTM models. • Performance and Robustness: The QLSTM models outperformed baseline models, with the 4-qubit model showing strong learning efficiency and robustness under realistic NISQ-level noise.
Forecasting surface temperatures is a crucial component of weather prediction. The discipline of temperature forecasting has recently welcomed quantum computing. We suggested a hybrid lightweight quantum convolution neural network with deep learning and quantum computing capacity, which can compete with existing best players in the field of temperature forecasting, such as CNN and LSTM, which are deep learning techniques. A quantum CNN extension is our hybrid framework. To our knowledge, this is the first hybrid lightweight multivariate forecasting system. To forecast temperatures, we use a discrete and time-window quantum encoding approach, and to validate our suggested method, we perform different experiments. The outcomes are then contrasted using a modified CNN model for discrete and time-window techniques that uses a hybrid quantum convolution neural network for the parameters of accuracy, MAPE, MAE, and RMSE. The suggested model’s overall accuracy is 99.20% compared to the CNN model’s 98.12%, and the technique is also superior in trainability and produces the lowest error values. The results section includes further information about the specific findings.
This study investigates the potential of quantum machine learning to enhance the accuracy of typhoon forecasting, with a particular emphasis on its implications for photovoltaic (PV) and wind turbine systems in the context of extreme weather preparedness. A novel approach is proposed, integrating a quantum layer into a multi-model Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) network architecture. Implemented using CUDA-Q, the quantum layer leverages quantum phenomena to process typhoon-related data more effectively. The proposed quantum-enhanced LSTM model is evaluated on a large dataset of typhoon observations. Results demonstrate that the model achieves promising accuracy in both typhoon track forecasting—yielding mean absolute errors (MAE) of 0.0188 and 0.0307 for latitude and longitude, respectively—and intensity forecasting, with MAEs of 0.0233 for wind speed, 0.0449 for wind direction, and 0.0022 for the 50-knot wind radius. This research contributes to the growing field of quantum machine learning and its practical applications, paving the way for future advancements in typhoon prediction and disaster resilience, particularly in optimizing the operation and robustness of PV and wind turbine systems in typhoon-prone regions.
Quantum Machine Learning (QML) presents as a revolutionary approach to weather forecasting by using quantum computing to improve predictive modeling capabilities. In this study, we apply QML models, including Quantum Gated Recurrent Units (QGRUs), Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs), Quantum Long Short-Term Memory(QLSTM), Variational Quantum Circuits(VQCs), and Quantum Support Vector Machines(QSVMs), to analyze meteorological time-series data from the ERA5 dataset. Our methodology includes preprocessing meteorological features, implementing QML architectures for both classification and regression tasks. The results demonstrate that QML models can achieve reasonable accuracy in both prediction and classification tasks, particularly in binary classification. However, challenges such as quantum hardware limitations and noise affect scalability and generalization. This research provides insights into the feasibility of QML for weather prediction, paving the way for further exploration of hybrid quantum-classical frameworks to enhance meteorological forecasting.
Quantum Machine Learning (QML) presents as a revolutionary approach to weather forecasting by using quantum computing to improve predictive modeling capabilities. In this study, we apply QML models, including Quantum Gated Recurrent Units (QGRUs), Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs), Quantum Long Short-Term Memory(QLSTM), Variational Quantum Circuits(VQCs), and Quantum Support Vector Machines(QSVMs), to analyze meteorological time-series data from the ERA5 dataset. Our methodology includes preprocessing meteorological features, implementing QML architectures for both classification and regression tasks. The results demonstrate that QML models can achieve reasonable accuracy in both prediction and classification tasks, particularly in binary classification. However, challenges such as quantum hardware limitations and noise affect scalability and generalization. This research provides insights into the feasibility of QML for weather prediction, paving the way for further exploration of hybrid quantum-classical frameworks to enhance meteorological forecasting.
Weather forecasting plays a critical role across various sectors, supporting strategic planning and reducing the impact of hazardous climatic conditions. However, the inherently chaotic and nonlinear nature of atmospheric systems limits the performance of conventional forecasting approaches, often resulting in prediction inaccuracies and heightened risk. This study proposes a quantum-driven predictive framework that exploits the computational strengths of Quantum Machine Learning (QML) and hybrid quantum–classical optimization to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of modern forecasting models. The framework employs Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs) combined with Variational Quantum Circuits (VQCs) to learn complex spatial–temporal dynamics embedded within large meteorological datasets. Through quantum feature encoding, key atmospheric indicators—including temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and barometric pressure—are projected into high-dimensional Hilbert spaces, enabling more expressive pattern extraction and robust predictive behavior. Simulation results reveal that the quantum-augmented approach surpasses traditional deep learning architectures in both training convergence and forecast precision when applied to extensive weather records. The hybrid design further supports scalability by intelligently distributing computational workloads between classical processors and quantum hardware. Overall, this research demonstrates the transformative potential of quantum computing in atmospheric modeling, offering a foundation for future real-time forecasting systems capable of managing the increasing complexity of global climate patterns.