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The data sources

Weather forecasting relies on a variety of data sources, which must be accurate and reliable in order to provide relevant information on future weather conditions.
April 20, 2023
3-5 minutes

Weather forecasting is made possible by a variety of data sources, each of which provides essential information for understanding future weather conditions. These data are collected from ground-based weather stations, weather radars, satellites, weather balloons, ocean buoys and other sources.

Ground-based weather stations are one of the most important sources of data for weather forecasting. They are strategically located and measure a variety of parameters including temperature, air pressure, wind speed and direction, humidity and precipitation. Ground-based weather stations can provide real-time and continuous data, which is essential for understanding rapid changes in weather conditions.

Weather radars are also important tools for collecting weather data. They are used to detect rain, snow and thunderstorms, and can provide information on wind speed and direction. Weather radars are usually located in high places to provide a clear view of the area.

Satellites are another important data source for weather forecasting. They can provide real-time weather images and track large-scale weather systems. Satellites can also provide information on surface temperatures, cloud cover and precipitation.

Weather balloons are meteorological measuring instruments that are used to measure the properties of the atmosphere. Sounding balloons are equipped with sensors to measure temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed and direction, humidity and other parameters. Data collected by weather balloons are used to validate data from other data sources and to improve weather forecasting models.

Ocean buoys are measuring devices that float on the ocean surface and measure seawater properties such as temperature, salinity, and wave height. These data are important for forecasting coastal weather conditions and for predicting tropical storms.

Finally, data from social networks and mobile apps are also increasingly being used for weather forecasting. Users can share photos and videos of local weather conditions, which can help meteorologists understand local weather conditions.

In conclusion, it should be noted that weather forecasting relies on a variety of data sources, which must be accurate and reliable in order to provide relevant information on future weather conditions. However, these sources have certain limitations that can compromise their accuracy. In the next article, we will take an in-depth look at the challenges facing weather data sources, as well as ongoing efforts to improve the accuracy of weather forecasts.

Parameters measured by the various data sources cited.