Observing the atmosphere at high altitudes using unmanned aerial vehicles
Monday, April 13, 2020 - 10:11
in Earth & Climate
Severe weather conditions such as low air temperatures and strong winds often bring difficulties to scientific expeditions in Antarctica. Thus, monitoring and forecasting the weather is critical. Soundings constitute one important way to observe the high-altitude atmosphere. This kind of observational data helps with analyzing and studying the atmospheric circulation and improving the accuracy of weather forecasts. In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become ideal atmospheric sounding observation platforms. European and American countries have already tried to carry out drone sounding activities over the Arctic Svalbard Islands and the Antarctic Terra Nova Bay.