Photo of Drone Observations being made. Observations Program, Weather Program Office

Observations help scientists understand and predict weather phenomena

They improve accuracy in modeling and bring back data from places no scientist can safely go- such as the eye of a hurricane or a mountain top.

Without accurate, precise, and targeted observations, we cannot measure or predict. We are constantly working with the scientific community to improve the scope and capabilities of our observing platforms so we can provide tools that bring back data when and where they need it for impactful forecast improvement.

Targeted Observing Platforms for Earth Science

Building Data Arrays for Forecast Improvement

The Observations Program supports research to advance and improve weather observations technology critical for the detection and forecasting of hazardous weather phenomena. The Observations Program works closely with the research and operational communities in government, academia, and private industry to develop and transition weather observing technology into operations.

The goals of the Observations program directly align with the legislation mandated by The Weather Act of 2017: advance observations to improve weather research and forecasting, particularly for high impact weather, to protect life and property. The Observations team has a strong focus on building a Climate-Ready Nation by improving environmental predictions and enhancing comprehensive observations and monitoring systems.

We support the objectives in the Priorities for Weather Research report by funding projects that aim to improve data assimilation of new observations and increase observational capabilities for weather research.

  • We provide mission enabling, foundational infrastructure to accelerate transitions of research to operations, applications, and commercialization through enterprise collaboration
  • We research and analyze new and emerging observing capabilities to upgrade legacy systems, to fill gaps in observations, and to better understand the atmosphere, specifically the boundary layer 
  • We identify the impact of various observing systems on prediction skill and forecast quality through observing system experiments (ie OSEs and OSSEs). 
  • We coordinate within and outside of NOAA to strengthen integration efforts across the weather enterprise.

What’s Happening Now

Updates & Events

Current Focus Areas

Innovative Technologies

We fund and foster technologies that push boundaries to collect critical data to advance NOAA's mission to understand and predict changes in weather.

Observational Capabilities Throughout the Weather Enterprise

We continue to invest in the research and development of observational technologies within NOAA, academia, and the private sector to advance and accelerate the goals of the weather enterprise.

Guide to Transition

We help navigate the transition of weather observing technologies into a relevant applied space. This could be an operational environment, a commercial product or service, or an application.

PROJECT VIGNETTES

A World of Possibilities
for Observational Assets

FY23 Awards Announced

11 Projects Selected for Funding

The total of funding awarded is approximately $2.5M per year for this competition. Projects may be for up to two years, with up to $300,000/year.

Have Questions?

Contact our team for questions about the proposal process.

Contact Us

Taking on Operational Challenges

Currently Funded Projects

Development and Deployment of a Sea Clutter Class

Within the Operational WSR-88D Hydrometeor Classification Algorithm

PI: James Kurdzo, MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Development and Demonstration of a Low-Cost, Standalone Mode S EHS Aircraft Derived Atmospheric Observation System

For Enhanced Weather Forecasting

PIs: Michael McPartland, Jason English, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, CIRES (University of Colorado)

Autonomous Measurements of Air-Sea Interaction from Saildrones

For Improved Hurricane Intensity Prediction

PIs: Dongxiao Zhang, Jun Zhang, CICOES (University of Washington), CIMAS (University of Miami)

Anonymization, Bias Correction, and Assimilation of Smartphone Pressure Observations

For Use in Numerical Weather Prediction in NOAA

PI: Clifford Mass, University of Washington

Analysis and OSEs of UAS observations

For improved high impact weather forecasts

PI: Nusrat Yussouf, CIMMS (University of Oklahoma)

A New Global 4-km Multi-Decadal Snow Cover Extent/Snow Water Equivalent/Snow Depth Dataset

From Blended In-situ and Satellite Observations

PIs: Peter Romanov, Cezar Kongoli, City College of New York (NOAA-CESSRT), ESSIC (University of Maryland)

Employing a combined observation and simulation- based framework

To investigate spatiotemporal variability in urban heat and associated heat advection

 

PI: Sandip Pal, Texas Tech University

Employing Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems

To Improve Situational Awareness and Operational Physics Routines Used to Predict Tropical Cyclone Structure and Intensity

 

PI: Jun Zhang, CIMAS (University of Miami)

Evaluating Impact of In-situ Observations

From Dynamically Targeted Long-Range Long-Duration Balloons

 

PI: Andrey Sushko, Windborne Systems Inc.

High-impact Observations

For Enhancing Great Lakes Snowfall Forecasting

PI: Claire Pettersen, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Improvement in NOAA Winter Weather Operations

Using In Situ Mesonet Observations

PI: Jerald Brotzge, University at Albany – SUNY

Improving Analysis and Communication of Extreme Temperatures Across the New York City Metropolis

Using a Dense Network of In Situ Observations

Nick Bassill, University at Albany – SUNY

Improving Flood Inundation Mapping

Using UAS-Based Optical Imagery

PI: Jamie Dyer, Mississippi State University

Improving Quality Control of Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor Products

From Non-Meteorological Radar Data Artifacts

PI: Jeff Brogden, CIMMS (University of Oklahoma)

Observation of Sea Level Air Pressure and Directional Wave Spectra

From Innovative Expendable Drifting Buoys

Luca Centurioni, University of California – San Diego

Particle Imaging and Ceilometer Observations

For Snowfall Properties and Blizzard Parameters

PI: Norman Wood, Aaron Kennedy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of North Dakota

Rapid Floodwater Extent and Depth Measurements

Using Optical UAV and SAR

PI: Leila Hashemi-Beni, NC Agricultural & Technical State University

Uncrewed aircraft observations to characterize the land surface

And its interaction with the lower atmosphere in areas of complex terrain for improved prediction of water and weather

PI: Gijs de Boer, CIRES (University of Colorado)

Resource Library

Take a Deep Dive into the Observations Program

Interactive Story Maps

Use of USV Saildrones to Accomplish NOAA's Mission. Transition Plan Storymap.
Use of USV Saildrones to Accomplish NOAA's Mission. Transition Plan Storymap.
NOAA WPO Observations Program: FY21 Projects
NOAA WPO Observations Program: FY21 Projects
NOAA's WPO Observations Program Overview
NOAA's WPO Observations Program Overview

Articles & Information

WPO Observations Program FY21 Funded Projects
WPO Observations Program FY21 Funded Projects
Observing Weather and Climate From the Ground Up: A National Network of Networks
Observing Weather and Climate From the Ground Up: A National Network of Networks

Workshops

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Emerging Technologies Workshop (ETW) is an event showcasing the latest innovations designed to collect, analyze, and synthesize environmental data.

The 2021 virtual workshop highlighted a wide variety of innovative technologies. Workshop attendees represented all six NOAA Line Offices in addition to stakeholders from other federal agencies, academia, and the private sector. This event aimed to improve the impact of emerging technologies through the end-to-end processes of Discovery Development, and Deployment/Transition.

View post-workshop materials >

Click to see materials from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Emerging Technologies Workshop
Click to see materials from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Emerging Technologies Workshop

We Coordinate Observations Improvement & Integration Research for the Weather Program Office

Contact Our Team

Renee Richarson
Renee Richardson

Observations Coordinator

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Segayle Thompson
Segayle Thompson, PhD

Project Manager, Phased Array Radar Acquisition

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Sandy LaCorte
Sandra LaCorte

Observations Coordinator

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Mark Vincent
Mark Vincent, PhD

Division Chief - Observations and Research Support

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