For years, weather forecasting faced a significant gap in data collection from the lower atmosphere, specifically from 50 to 20,000 feet above ground. This region is vital for understanding the onset of fog, storms, smoke spread, and hazardous low-level winds. However, improvements are on the horizon, thanks to the integration of drones into weather observation.
Drones Transition to Operational Use in US Weather Forecasts
Meteomatics, a weather intelligence company, has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enhance weather forecasting capabilities. This collaboration will provide operational drone data to the National Weather Service, marking a significant advancement in meteorological practices.
Enhancing Atmospheric Data Collection
The Meteodrones will capture intricate atmospheric information, which will be incorporated into daily weather forecasting efforts. This initiative is part of the National Mesonet Program, with KBR acting as the prime contractor and Synoptic Data facilitating the integration of drone data into NOAA’s systems.
- Meteodrones collect vertical profiles that include temperature, humidity, and wind measurements.
- These high-resolution observations are crucial for identifying the formation of thunderstorms, understanding fog duration, and predicting winter storm precipitation types.
- Drones enhance awareness of smoke distribution and air quality issues.
Shifting to Operational Use
The new initiative builds on previous research conducted by NOAA to assess the efficacy of drones in real-world conditions. In June 2024, the National Weather Service began a pilot study using drones for atmospheric research at North Dakota’s GrandSKY Flight Operations Center. This project successfully gathered data up to nearly 17,000 feet, focusing on improving forecast accuracy.
Now, the transition from research to operational use is underway. Under the National Mesonet Program, Meteomatics will conduct regular drone flights from its Meteobase in Oklahoma until April 2026. These centralized operations allow for efficient management of multiple drone locations.
The Importance of Improved Data
Collecting data at crucial altitudes is expected to lead to more reliable forecasts and timely warnings. This enhancement is particularly vital for sectors such as aviation, agriculture, utilities, highways, and emergency management.
- The National Mesonet Program aggregates information from over 35,000 observing platforms across all 50 states.
- Drone observations aim to fill significant data gaps in the existing weather observing system.
Meteomatics CEO Martin Fengler emphasized the role of public-private partnerships in advancing national weather observations. Meanwhile, Synoptic Data President Ashish Raval highlighted the need for high-quality, low-latency data for immediate use by NOAA and the National Weather Service.
As evidenced by KBR’s National Mesonet Program manager, Ellen Cousins, the integration of drone data represents a major advancement in vertical profiling within the US weather observation framework. The enhanced clarity afforded by these developments is essential for forecasters and the millions of Americans relying on timely weather warnings, especially as extreme weather patterns become more frequent.
