News 7.2.2023

Promising results of obtaining weather observations by drones

Observations by uncrewed aircraft system from a field campaign were assimilated into a high-resolution configuration of the weather research and forecasting model. Based on the results, drone observations could help to improve predictions of low-level winds and visibility.

In recent research, the impact of assimilating targeted uncrewed aircraft system observations in addition to surface observations was compared to that obtained when assimilating surface observations alone using observing system experiments for a terrain-driven flow case and a convection initiation case. Observations were done in San Luis Valley in Colorado, USA.

Researchers found that the assimilation of uncrewed aircraft system observations in addition to surface observations had a positive impact on the analyses and short-term predictions of temperature, moisture, and winds in both cases and the location and intensity of convective precipitation in the convection initiation case.

Based on the preliminary findings commercial uncrewed aircraft system observations could help to improve predictions of low-level winds and visibility constraints. This information is needed to support drone traffic management systems by providing basic meteorological observations collected while performing their primary mission.

Ultimately, the assimilation of observations from commercial drones coupled with those obtained with new drone observing networks could result in a notable improvement in the skill and reduction of uncertainty in mesoscale analyses and predictions.

Further information:

Researcher David Brus, Finnish Meteorological Institute, david.brus@fmi.fi

Scientific article is available on Monthly Weather Review.

Reference: Jensen, A. A., Pinto, J. O., Bailey, S. C. C., Sobash, R. A., Romine, G., Boer, G. d., Houston, A. L., Smith, S. W., Lawrence, D. A., Dixon, C., Lundquist, J. K., Jacob, J. D., Elston, J., Waugh, S., Brus, D., & Steiner, M. (2022). Assimilation of a Coordinated Fleet of Uncrewed Aircraft System Observations in Complex Terrain: Observing System Experiments, Monthly Weather Review, 150(10), 2737-2763. https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-22-0090.1

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