Meteorological Technology International
  • News
    • A-E
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
    • G-P
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
    • R-S
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
    • T-Z
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    • April 2023
    • September 2022
    • April 2022
    • September 2021
    • Archive Issues
    • Subscribe Free!
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
  • Sign-up for Free Weekly E-Newsletter
  • Meet the Editors
  • Contact Us
  • Media Pack
LinkedIn Twitter Facebook
Subscribe
Meteorological Technology International
  • News
      • Agriculture
      • Automated Weather Stations
      • Aviation
      • Climate Measurement
      • Data
      • Developing Countries
      • Digital Applications
      • Early Warning Systems
      • Extreme Weather
      • Hydrology
      • Lidar
      • Lightning Detection
      • New Appointments
      • Nowcasting
      • Numerical Weather Prediction
      • Polar Weather
      • Radar
      • Rainfall
      • Remote Sensing
      • Renewable Energy
      • Satellites
      • Solar
      • Space Weather
      • Supercomputers
      • Training
      • Transport
      • Weather Instruments
      • Wind
      • World Meteorological Organization
      • Meteorological Technology World Expo
  • Features
  • Online Magazines
    1. April 2023
    2. September 2022
    3. April 2022
    4. September 2021
    5. Archive Issues
    6. Subscribe Free!
    Featured
    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – April 2023

    By Web TeamApril 18, 2023
    Recent

    In this Issue – April 2023

    April 18, 2023

    In this Issue – September 2022

    August 12, 2022

    April 2022 issue is now available online!

    April 12, 2022
  • Opinion
  • Videos
  • Supplier Spotlight
  • Jobs
    • Browse Industry Jobs
    • Post a Job – It’s FREE!
    • Manage Jobs (Employers)
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Meteorological Technology International
Climate Measurement

Data, collaboration and innovation key to future of US forecasting, hears Congress

Dan SymondsBy Dan SymondsMarch 30, 20233 Mins Read
Share LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email
Share
LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Email

Testifying at a US congressional hearing, Antonio Busalacchi (above), president of the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), has stressed that the future success of US weather forecasting efforts relies on increasingly productive collaborations between the triad of academic and research communities, the public sector and the private sector.

Busalacchi said, “It is important to the future success of the weather enterprise that each leg of the triad continues to grow, and that any reduction in size of any leg will negatively impact its diverse beneficiaries.”

The Environment Subcommittee hearing focused on data and innovation for predictions as the United States Congress considers reauthorization of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (The Weather Act), which aims to advance weather research, improve forecasting and expand commercial opportunities for the provision of weather data.

Busalacchi noted that he had personally witnessed the importance of the triad. During his time at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, for example, he was the source selection official for the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor satellite (SeaWiFS). This satellite mission, launched by Orbital Sciences Corporation in 1997 to provide data on the oceans to the university research community, was one of Washington’s very first data buys and an important collaboration involving the government, private sector and academic community.

More recently, the government, private sector and academic community again came together on an innovative satellite mission, the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC). The first set of six COSMIC microsatellites, launched in 2006, led to improved prediction of tropical cyclones, global weather and space weather forecasting by using GPS radio occultation techniques that UCAR had helped to develop. A second set of six microsatellites, launched in 2019 and known as COSMIC-2, is providing even more data. COSMIC has enabled private weather data companies like Spire Global to develop its own observational systems for radio occultation, Busalacchi told the subcommittee.

“This commercialization of radio occultation observational systems should be celebrated and is another fine example of how the research community, the government and the private sector can work together to drive innovation and create value together as technology development moves forward,” Busalacchi said.

The UCAR president focused much of his remarks on the importance of data assimilation — a field of data science that combines observations and computer models in ways that are vital for prediction. He noted that US weather forecasting capabilities continue to lag behind those of Europe because European forecast models are better able to utilize the data that are already available.

“Therefore, it is critical that policymakers make significant investments in data assimilation and the operational modeling and forecasting workforce to create more accurate predictive forecasts in service to society with the existing observation systems we already have,” he said.

Busalacchi also asked the subcommittee to consider the initiation of a decadal survey for the entire weather enterprise that would include a strong emphasis on data innovation for prediction. Amid the growing costs of weather disasters across the USA, a decadal process by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine would enable policymakers to set priorities to improve forecasts while recognizing current fiscal realities.

“If we do it right, we can leverage every leg of the triad to spur successful growth of the entire weather enterprise,” Buslacchi said. “If we get it wrong, we risk falling further behind with our prediction capabilities at a time when the extreme weather impacts to our nation continue to grow.”

Previous ArticleCoastal salt marshes could disappear with rapid sea level rise, warns study
Next Article FAAM Air Lab invests in electric ground support to reduce carbon emissions

Read Similar Stories

Climate Measurement

Air Canada aircraft equipped with sensors to gather climate measurements

May 30, 20232 Mins Read
Extreme Weather

Cost of weather-related disasters soars but early warnings save lives

May 23, 20232 Mins Read
Climate Measurement

IBM’s The Weather Company named world’s most accurate forecaster

May 22, 20233 Mins Read
Latest News

Vaisala celebrates 40 years of operating US lightning detection network

June 1, 2023

Celeste Saulo to become first female secretary-general of the WMO

June 1, 2023

Tomorrow.io launches first forecast plug-in for ChatGPT marketplace

May 31, 2023

Receive breaking stories and features in your inbox each week, for free


Enter your email address:


Supplier Spotlights
  • LCJ Capteurs
Latest Job Postings
  • Sailing Weather Specialist

    • Remote
    • SeaTactics
    • Part Time
  • SALES MANAGER

    • Erftstadt, Germany
    • GWU-Umwelttechnik GmbH
    • Full Time
Getting in Touch
  • Contact Us / Advertise
  • Meet the Editors
  • Download Media Pack
  • Free Weekly E-Newsletter
Our Social Channels
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
© 2023 UKi Media & Events a division of UKIP Media & Events Ltd
  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Notice and Takedown Policy

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.

CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.

Functional

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytics

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Others

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by