Better weather forecasts? Drones could be the key

In order to predict how the weather will change, an accurate picture of what's happening now is needed. While current conditions at the surface are well known thanks to weather stations, there are significant gaps in the data higher up in the atmosphere. Unmanned aerial vehicles, better known as drones, could help fill in those gaps significantly.

Dr. Jamey Jacob from Oklahoma State University is leading the charge on bringing drones into the field of meteorology. He joins the podcast this week to talk about what kind of data drones can collect and the advantages they have over weather balloons and airplanes. He also discusses the current limitations and what will be needed before they can be used on a large-scale to improve weather forecasts.

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About the Across the Sky podcast

A weekly podcast discussing all things weather and climate. The podcast is hosted by the meteorologists of the Lee Weather Team:

Matt Holiner of Lee Enterprises' Midwest group in Chicago, Kirsten Lang of the Tulsa World in Oklahoma, Joe Martucci of the Press of Atlantic City, N.J., and Sean Sublette of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia.

The Lee Weather Team hosts a fast-paced weekly podcast that tackles hot topics (and cold!) plus what’s trending in meteorology, science and climate. The show isn't limited to hard science as our hosts and guests tug at your emotions from stories out in the elements. The Lee Weather team features Matt Holiner of Lee Enterprises' Midwest group in Chicago, Kirsten Lang of the Tulsa World in Oklahoma, Joe Martucci of the Press of Atlantic City, N.J., and Sean Sublette of the Richmond Times-Dispatch in Virginia.