A system for modeling the evolution of a system over time using an advection-based process is provided. The system continuously evolves a probability density function (“PDF”) for a characteristic of a characteristic of the state of the system and its time-varying parameters. The PDF is evolved based on advection by solving an advection partial differential equation that is based on a system model of the system. The system model has time-varying parameters for modeling the characteristic of the state of the system. The system uses the continuously evolving PDF to make predictions about the characteristic of the state of the system.