Can WindBorne Observations Improve Forecasting?

Why Weather Data Is Still Incomplete

Weather forecasts depend on good data. However, much of the atmosphere remains poorly measured. This is especially true in areas such as the ocean, polar regions, and remote locations.

Most tools collect data only at the surface or for short periods. Traditional weather balloons rise once and then disappear. This leaves large gaps in the data that forecasting models rely on.

 What WindBorne Observations Is

WindBorne Observations is a global data collection system developed by WindBorne Systems. It is built around a network called Atlas, which uses long-duration weather balloons.

The system focuses on three main ideas:

• Continuous measurement instead of one-time sampling
• Coverage in hard-to-reach regions
• Real-time data delivery to weather models

The goal is to observe the atmosphere more often and in more places

How the Balloons Collect Data

Each balloon is lightweight and powered by solar energy. Once launched, it moves up and down through the atmosphere instead of rising only once.

The process is simple:

1. The balloon changes altitude through different air layers
2. Sensors measure temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind
3. Data is sent in real time
4. The balloon stays active for weeks

This allows each balloon to collect many profiles instead of just one.

Autonomous Movement and Control

The balloons do not float randomly. Software controls their altitude by using natural wind patterns.

This allows the system to:

• Stay longer in areas with limited data
• Improve coverage over oceans and remote regions
• Increase the usefulness of each flight

By moving with the wind, the system remains efficient and low-energy.

Why This Data Matters

Weather systems change vertically, not just at ground level. Better vertical data helps models understand how storms form and move.

Improved observations support:

• More accurate short-term forecasts
• Earlier warnings for severe weather
• Safer aviation and maritime planning
• Better long-term climate analysis

More data leads to more reliable decisions.

Scaling the Network

WindBorne Observations is designed to scale to thousands of balloons operating at the same time. This level of coverage matches global recommendations for improved atmospheric observation.

As the network grows, weather models gain access to richer and more consistent data.