Weather drones can be more efficient than traditional methods of meteorological data collection such as weather balloons. Meteorological drones are more manoeuvrable, can resist sudden changes in wind better and are thus better equipped to capture data in vertical columns, which is essential for weather forecasting.
Meteorological drones can also be used to take measurements close to buildings and structures, and in urban environments as well as in harsh offshore environments. In addition to forecasting, weather drones may also be used for storm and hurricane tracking and prediction, long-term data gathering for climate change research, and a wide range of other applications.
Scientific Research and Meteorological UAV by Black Swift Technologies
Explore Black Swift Technologies’ SØ UAS, which provides cost-effective, autonomous storm data collection, advancing tropical cyclone research and improving forecasting in hazardous environments
NASA's Alta X quadcopter has completed testing in Montana for applications in micrometeorology using two sensors, a radiosonde and a LI-COR LI-560 Trisonica anemometer
AOML partnered with Black Swift Technologies, among other companies, to set new records in tropical cyclone research that enhances hurricane forecasting and understanding
LI-COR's TriSonica® Mini Wind and Weather Sensor was mounted on two UAVs and employed by the University of Kentucky to measure atmospheric boundary layer changes during a solar eclipse
Researchers from NOAA deployed Black Swift S0 drones during Hurricane Helene to gather key atmospheric data, enhancing the understanding of the storm's structure and aiding forecasting efforts
NOAA and Black Swift Technologies successfully deployed four Black Swift S0 drones into the heart of Hurricane Ernesto, setting new records in hurricane data collection and enhancing forecast accuracy
Platform Aerospace’s long-endurance UAS totaled more than 65 hours in the Arctic Circle to measure environmental conditions and validate aircraft icing detection systems & mitigation
Working with the Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), Meteomatics will install 30 of its autonomous weather drones, or "Meteodrones," across Norway to forecast weather accurately
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