Scientists have created an AI system that predicts red tide blooms along Southwest Florida’s coast with striking precision. The system scans waters from Venice to Estero Bay each week, giving officials time to plan for these toxic outbreaks.

Miles Medina of Ecco Scientific built this prediction tool. “What we set out to do was try to develop a model that could take in data, environmental data, in real time and produce a forecast of when red tide would be showing up,” Medina said per WINK News.

Tests show the system works well. Short-term predictions hit 73% accuracy, while month-long forecasts reach 84%, which is far better than previous methods.

The AI tracks red tide intensity from baseline to critical levels above 1 million cells per liter. Based on current data, the system warns of severe conditions approaching the region by late October 2025.

Eric Eikenberg from the Everglades Foundation points to practical benefits. “It provides water managers with a new tool in the toolbox to potentially make decisions on how Lake Okeechobee is going to be managed,” Eikenberg said.

The 2018 15-month bloom inspired the AI model. 

Local residents welcome the advance notice. Tourist Brenda Tremblay shared her experience: “When it’s here, you get a little tickle in your throat and a little cough. That would be so great if we knew when it was coming, or, you know how severe it was going to be.”

State wildlife officials now check these forecasts regularly. Plans are in motion to watch the entire Gulf shoreline.

“Predicting a red tide doesn’t mean we can stop it, but at least we can see it coming and try to prepare,” Medina said. This warning system helps shield communities from the worst impacts on tourism, fishing, and local economies.