NOAA

For decades, weather forecasters have had a blind spot. It sits in the lower atmosphere — roughly from 50 feet to about 20,000 feet above the ground — where many of the most disruptive weather events actually begin. That’s where fog forms, storms organize, smoke spreads, and low-level winds turn dangerous. And until now, it’s been one of the thinnest areas in the US weather observing system.

That’s starting to change, thanks to drones.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is deploying advanced weather drones to gather upper air observations and determine their usefulness in weather forecasting.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Verizon Frontline have signed a new three-year R&D agreement to find faster ways to use drones and share footage of damage caused by severe storms like tornadoes or hurricanes.