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We partner with global collaborators that leverage the advanced capabilities of Meteodrones to enhance local weather forecasting.
Severe weather such as thunderstorms, high winds, fog, and hail disrupts economies and threatens public safety worldwide. These local events are also the hardest to forecast, because most weather forms in the lowest layers of the atmosphere, the hardest part to observe. Meteodrones close that gap. Our patented weather drones take in situ measurements from ground level up through the layer where local weather forms, capturing high-resolution readings of temperature, humidity, air pressure, and wind speed. Fed into weather models, these measurements make forecasts measurably more accurate.
Land
12 km ・ 39'000 ft
Maximum altitude
120 km/h ・ 70 kt
Maximum wind speed
5 minutes
Maximum setup time
Versatile, Highly Capable System for Data Collection on Demand in the Field
Meteodrone Strato is designed for land operations. It can climb up to 12 km, into the lower stratosphere, measuring temperature, humidity, wind, and pressure throughout the flight. Its batteries are interchangeable, so a fresh profile can be flown whenever one is needed rather than only at a scheduled sounding. Aviation, defense, and severe-weather forecasting all depend on these altitudes, and the Strato observes them on demand.
- Model: Meteodrone Strato
- Maximum altitude: up to 12 km
- Operated by an on-site pilot
- Rated for sustained winds up to 120 km/h (75 mph)
- Operational in temperatures from –70 °C to 60 °C
- Integrated active propeller de-icing system
- Interchangeable battery system
- Wireless remote control with real-time telemetry display
- Controlled emergency descent with auto-deploying parachute
- Can be equipped with a transponder
Sea
Launch from moving vessel
Portable landing net
46 km/h ・25 kt forward speed
Capable of Launch and Landing From a Moving Vessel, Operates Under Harsh Conditions at Sea
The Meteodrone Tropo (previously the MM-670) is the go-to model for operations at sea. It launches from a moving vessel, climbs to 6 km gathering weather data, and lands back on its onboard net. With a quick battery swap between flights, a vessel can run repeated soundings throughout the day, keeping a steady stream of atmospheric data coming without waiting for resupply or a shore-based launch.
- Model: Meteodrone Tropo
- Maximum altitude: up to 6 km
- Operated by an on-site pilot
- Rated for sustained winds up to 90 km/h (56 mph)
- Operational in temperatures from –45 °C to 50 °C
- Integrated active propeller de-icing system
- Interchangeable batteries
- Wireless remote control with real-time telemetry display
- Controlled emergency descent with auto-deploying parachute
Network
Fully automated
Remotely operated
Real-time data transfer
Remotely Operated Meteodrones Enabling Routine Data Collection at Scale
The Meteobase is the ground station that lets a Meteodrone fly on its own. It launches and lands the drone, charges its batteries between flights, and holds a stable internal climate so the drone and its electronics stay within their operating range whatever the weather outside. Cameras give the remote operator a live view of the drone and its surroundings.
Because everything runs remotely, one pilot can operate several Meteobases at once, from anywhere, with no one on site. That makes it the right choice for a fixed location that needs repeated soundings, where sending a pilot to each site would be impractical. Meteomatics handles installation and flight authorization, and runs the network from its headquarters in Switzerland.
- Model: Meteodrone Tropo
- Operated by a remote pilot from the control center, no distance limit and no on-site staff required
- Radio link to the Meteodrone, internet link to the control center
- Climate-controlled housing: ventilation, air-conditioning, and heating with heated opening flaps
- Weatherproof against heavy rain, heat, hail, snow, and ice
- Protected against theft, vandalism, and external impact
- Size: 2 × 1.6 m closed, 2 × 3 m open; 1.6 m high
- Weight: 450 kg
- Runs on a standard electricity connection
Partners and Deployments
How meteorological services, defense organizations, and research institutions put Meteodrones to work in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions
Weather drones are specifically engineered for meteorological purposes. Operating within the Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, known as the boundary layer, and ascending up to 12 km, they are equipped with sensors for weather data collection, gathering key atmospheric data such as temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. The information collected by these drones is instrumental in enhancing the accuracy of weather forecast models, providing a more comprehensive understanding of atmospheric dynamics.
Made in Switzerland
Meteodrones are a product of Swiss precision and innovation. Entirely designed and engineered in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the development process of Meteodrones is an in-house endeavor from conception to final product.
Mobile weather station
We call our Meteodrones "the future of radiosondes." Each Meteodrone functions like a mobile weather station, offering numerous benefits over conventional radiosondes. Unlike these probes, which often take measurements in an uncontrolled manner due to their flight paths, our Meteodrones are capable of precise, controlled operations. They can be manually directed on-site or operated remotely, providing flexibility in data collection. This allows the Meteodrones to hover over a specific location or venture into remote areas where traditional weather stations are absent and other forms of measurement are unfeasible.
Cost-Effective and Sustainable
Meteodrones serve as a more sustainable and cost-effective method of collecting atmospheric data compared to radiosondes, as they can be deployed and reused as often as needed. Additionally, their robust construction enables operation in a variety of weather conditions, making them highly effective in capturing a wide range of local weather phenomena. This reusability and versatility underscore Meteodrones' role in promoting environmentally responsible meteorological practices.
Data Collection up to 10 km
Meteodrones can ascend up to 10 kilometers above ground to collect atmospheric weather data. Our Meteodrones can efficiently gather data both during the day and night, which is then seamlessly integrated into weather models for processing. This ensures that local weather data is consistently included in forecasts, resulting in more precise predictions.
Reliable and Continuous Weather Data
Meteodrones can remain stationary over a specific area for the entire duration of their flight. This capability allows for the continuous collection of atmospheric profiles. Furthermore, the practical design of Meteodrones, including replaceable batteries, enables immediate redeployment after a flight, ensuring an uninterrupted stream of weather data.
The raw weather data is recorded at a data rate of 4 to 20 Hz, meaning at 4 to 20 measurements per second, and stored on the integrated SD card. After a flight with a Meteodrone, the weather data undergoes evaluation and processing. It is saved in various formats that facilitate meteorologists in integrating it into their respective weather models, including time-resolved representations. Once this additional data is incorporated into the model, it enhances the accuracy of the weather forecast within a radius of up to 50 km from the starting point of the measurement flight. These measurements significantly enhance the forecasts of phenomena critical for aviation, such as fog, thunderstorms, icing, and hail.
In Switzerland and Liechtenstein, Meteomatics holds a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) permission from the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA), which allows Meteodrones to fly without the pilot keeping them in sight, including inside clouds, in fog, and at night, subject to defined conditions. Elsewhere, Meteomatics works with national aviation authorities to secure flight approvals for Meteodrone operations and demonstrations across most European countries, and can support other organizations in obtaining their own authorizations. Each approval is granted individually and carries its own limits on area, altitude, and time, depending on local rules.
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