Key facts
- Drones can gather detailed weather data in the atmospheric boundary layer.
- Meteomatics' Meteobase system features an automated drone launched from a weather-resistant base station.
- The drone automatically returns to the base for recharging and data download.
- The system can perform multiple flights daily to monitor changing weather conditions.
- This technology could replace traditional weather balloon launches.
Weather research in the atmospheric boundary layer, the region from ground level up to a few thousand meters, has traditionally relied on instrumented weather balloons. However, these balloons are subject to wind drift and utilize non-renewable helium. Aircraft are also an option but are costly.
Meteomatics has advanced the concept of using drones for this purpose with its Meteobase system. This setup includes a ground-based station that automatically launches and recovers a drone. The drone executes pre-programmed flights to collect data at different altitudes before returning to recharge and download its findings. The Meteobase then transmits this data to researchers.
The base station is designed to be highly resistant to weather conditions and maintains an optimal temperature for the drone. It is capable of conducting multiple missions per day, allowing for continuous monitoring of dynamic weather phenomena such as fog, icing conditions, or approaching weather fronts. This automated approach presents a potential replacement for the more labor-intensive and expensive methods associated with traditional balloon launches.