Skyfora, a meteorological technology company developing high-resolution weather data solutions, has partnered with the New York State Mesonet (NYSM) at the University at Albany to pilot a dense atmospheric monitoring network across the New York City metropolitan region. The collaboration combines Skyfora’s StreamGNSS hardware and atmospheric processing platform, which uses existing GNSS infrastructure such as telecom networks to generate near-real-time atmospheric water vapor data, with NYSM’s observing network, deployment infrastructure and scientific expertise. More than 20 stations are already streaming data, and the partners will evaluate whether frequent, high-resolution humidity observations can improve 0–6 hour precipitation nowcasting, flash-flood and severe-weather monitoring, AI-assisted forecasting and weather intelligence for critical infrastructure. As the pilot progresses, the partners will assess the technology’s operational value and explore how dense GNSS observations could contribute to future environmental monitoring and National Mesonet capabilities across the US.
Extreme rainfall and flash flooding remain among the greatest weather-related risks facing major metropolitan areas. Atmospheric water vapor is the fuel for precipitation, and changes in its distribution often provide valuable early signals before intense rainfall reaches the ground. The collaboration will investigate how high-resolution GNSS-derived water vapor observations can complement conventional weather observations to provide earlier and more accurate situational awareness for forecasters, emergency managers and critical infrastructure operators.
Through the collaboration, Skyfora provides the StreamGNSS hardware and atmospheric processing platform, while the New York State Mesonet contributes installation sites, operational infrastructure, deployment, maintenance and complementary surface meteorological observations. Together, the partners will evaluate the performance of the observations and engage researchers and future operational users to demonstrate their value.
“Our mission as a public research university is to advance science and technology while serving New Yorkers,” said June Wang, director of the New York State Mesonet and recognized expert in hydrological applications of this technology. “This pilot project will allow us to test whether Skyfora’s technology provides significant advantages over other water vapor measurements and can help us give emergency managers the best available information on the risks to the public.”
Skyfora’s technology transforms existing GNSS infrastructure, like telecom cell towers, into a distributed atmospheric sensing network capable of producing continuous observations of precipitable water vapor in near real time. The technology complements traditional weather observing systems by significantly increasing observation density in the atmospheric boundary layer, where many rapidly developing weather events originate.
“The New York State Mesonet is internationally recognized as one of the world’s leading environmental observing networks, making it an ideal partner for demonstrating the value of dense GNSS atmospheric observations,” said Jostein Mælan, Chief Commercial Officer at Skyfora. “Together we are exploring how real-time humidity observations can enable earlier and more accurate precipitation nowcasts, helping communities, emergency managers and critical infrastructure operators gain valuable time ahead of flooding and other high-impact weather. We also believe this collaboration can help shape the next generation of AI-powered weather forecasting and contribute to future National Mesonet capabilities across the United States.”
As the pilot progresses, the partners will evaluate a range of potential applications for the technology, including 0–6 hour precipitation nowcasting, the operational use of dense GNSS signal-delay observations, flash-flood early warning and urban flood monitoring, and improved detection of severe thunderstorms and hailstorms. They will also explore how the data can support AI-assisted weather forecasting and rapid forecast updates, as well as weather intelligence for critical infrastructure such as electric utilities, telecom networks and urban hubs. The findings could also help inform the development of future National Mesonet capabilities across the United States.
The collaboration provides an opportunity to demonstrate how dense GNSS atmospheric observations can complement existing national weather observing systems and support the evolution of future operational environmental monitoring networks.
Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/skyfora-and-new-york-state-mesonet-launch-collaboration/
