Turning Planes into Weather Stations. Introducing the Next Step in Weather Forecasting

When the weather forecast is hazy at best, it’s easy to blame the weatherman. But with weather sensor technology lagging behind other technological advancements, resources used by meteorologists and weather scientists are extremely limited. In the USA, the National Weather Service has traditionally relied upon its weather balloon program which receives data twice a day from 69 locations across the country. While predictions are relatively accurate, the data can be up to 12 hours old, and hundreds of miles away from where it is required by researchers.

However, thanks to a recent partnership between Southwest Airlines and United Parcels Service Inc. (UPS), commercial aircrafts are being equipped with water vapour sensors which can transmit real-time weather data directly to the National Weather Service.

How will planes differ to traditional weather balloons?

While many aircrafts already transmit wind and temperature data to the National Weather Service, the weather sensors used by Southwest Airlines and UPS are capable of reporting on humidity too. Calculating how much moisture is in the air is crucial to storm and severe weather event predictions. These real-time data transmission from aircrafts will cover a far greater area than is currently covered by weather balloons, allowing for more informed and accurate predictions.

Speaking with Bloomberg News, senior forecaster at the National Weather Service’s office in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Richard Mamrosh said, “We have the computing power to make much better forecasts than we do. The thing that’s holding us back is the data above the ground.”

With scheduled aircraft carriers making an average of more than 25,000 flights a day (as reported by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration information), weather sensor technology aboard planes will drastically improve and even revolutionise forecasting.

Potential cost savings

In addition to improved prediction accuracy, the new vapour sensors fitted to 25 UPS jets have proved to have a potential cost-saving value too. During a recent overnight frost forecast from traditional National Weather Service balloons, UPS received more up-to-date data from their new technology which revealed that there wouldn't be frost that night in Louisville, Kentucky. As a consequence, UPS were able to order their de-icers to stand down from having to spray their aircrafts with anti-icing fluids, making a saving of tens of thousands of dollars.

American Airlines have also seen savings in the form of reduced maintenance expenses. Maintenance is often required following severe turbulence, but with new humidity sensors significantly improving storm and severe weather event predictions, the airline has perceived a reduction in expenses. In addition, there has been a decrease in injuries caused by rough weather, which in turn also offers greater safety to their customers.

Other types of forecasts…

An air pollution forecast provides information on air quality and the impact of pollutants on human health. The Met Office produces the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs’ (DEFRA) air pollution produces the forecast for the UK, which are based on a standard index to characterise air quality, the Daily Air Quality Index (DAQI). But how are they predicted? For more information, read: What Is an Air Pollution Forecast?