Low-cost drone offers opportunity to expand data acquisition coverage in polar regions

The effects of climate change are being felt most acutely in polar regions. This also makes them the ideal place to study ongoing climate variability. In fact, meteorological data collected from these areas is important for operational numerical weather predictions (NWPs), a technique for predicting the weather based on mathematical modeling. Currently, the daily vertical state of the atmosphere is mainly collected by radiosondes, telemetry instruments for measuring atmospheric parameters, mounted on weather balloons. However, radiosonde networks are limited in polar regions. Moreover, they entail high operating costs in terms of sensors, energy, and human resources. Additionally, radiosondes often leave waste over the land and oceans and could be a source of pollution. It is, therefore, necessary to find a complementary way to strengthen the observing network with high-quality meteorological data for NWPs.

Fortunately, unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) or drones could potentially fit the bill. While UASs are limited to the lower boundary layer of the atmosphere, they have smaller operational costs and are easier to use. However, the quality of data collected by UASs is often reduced by radiation effects (from the sun and the drone body), the deposition of precipitation and cloud droplets, and the position of the sensors relative to wind direction.

In a recent study published in Environmental Research, Dr. Jun Inoue from the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan and Assistant Professor Kazutoshi Sato from Kitami Institute of Technology, Japan, have investigated the possibility of collecting high-quality atmospheric data using a conventional low-cost UAS equipped with a radiation shield. “Sustainable observing networks for NWPs is essential for preparing for weather disasters under the warming climate. Since the number of radiosonde observations have hardly increased in a long time because of the costs of resources, continuous observations with UASs are a highly desirable alternative to achieve sustainable development as well as meet the needs of ordinary people, such as fisherpersons, with improved forecasts,” explains Dr. Inoue. The study was made available online on December 2 2021 and is assigned for publication in Volume 205 of the journal on April 1, 2022.

In their study, the duo focused on a commercially-available drone, the DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Dual UAS (M2ED). They performed laboratory experiments to determine the horizontal distribution of wind and heat exhaust below the M2ED as a way to gauge the ideal location for the sensors. Then using 3D printing and a heat-reflecting coating, they developed a radiation shield for the sensors that maintained ventilation simultaneously. The shield additionally prevented the deposition of precipitation on the sensor.

Next, they performed field experiments on the M2ED drone and compared its performance with two other meteorologically-customized UASs, the ACSL-PF2- R-SWM and Meteodrone MM-670. This was followed by field tests on the three UASs launched concurrently with radiosondes and a comparison of their performances. The results showed that not only did the M2ED provide high-quality data equivalent to that of the two other drones, its accuracy was, in fact, comparable to radiosondes!

“Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to make the existing polar observational networks sustainable with UASs. This could significantly boost their observation frequencies and spatial coverage through citizen science programs,” says Dr. Inoue.

 Those are, indeed, some fine consequences to contemplate!

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About National Institute of Polar Research, Japan

Founded in 1973, the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) is an inter-university research institute that conducts comprehensive scientific research and observations in the polar regions. NIPR is one of the four institutes constituting the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS) and engages in comprehensive research via observation stations in the Arctic and Antarctica. It strives to promote polar science by soliciting collaboration research projects publicly, as well as by providing samples, materials, and information. NIPR plays a special role as the only institute in Japan that comprehensively pursues observations and research efforts in both the Antarctic and Arctic regions.

Website: https://www.nipr.ac.jp/english/index.html

About Dr. Jun Inoue from National Institute of Polar Research, Japan

Dr. Jun Inoue obtained a PhD in Environmental Earth Science from Hokkaido University, Japan, in 2001. He is currently an Associate Professor at the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan and a member of the Research Organization of Information and Systems. His research interests involve atmosphere–ice–ocean interactions centered on meteorology in relation to global warming and climate change.

About the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS)

ROIS is a parent organization of four national institutes (National Institute of Polar Research, National Institute of Informatics, the Institute of Statistical Mathematics and National Institute of Genetics) and the Joint Support-Center for Data Science Research. It is ROIS's mission to promote integrated, cutting-edge research that goes beyond the barriers of these institutions, in addition to facilitating their research activities, as members of inter-university research institutes.