Since the first indications came out several years ago that we might be able to use the attenuation of cell phone signals to measure precipitation near the surface at unprecedented resolution, I have been anxiously waiting further development of the idea. This week Nature (http://www.nature.com/news/mobile-phone-signals-bolster-street-level-rain-forecasts-1.21799) published a short report on the progress of one company trying to commercialize the technology. Particulars of this company aside, the fact that the use of cell phone signals to measure precipitation is mature enough that someone is working to sell the data is really exciting. For most folks, high resolution precipitation data will mean better, hyper local forecasting in locations with lots of active cell phone users. That’s exciting, but ultimately a little fleeting. I see the real promise of this technology being that it will contribute significantly to our understanding of clouds and precipitation at very small scales. A super high resolution tool has been missing from our research toolbox for too long. Better understanding of clouds will lead to better forecasts everywhere. I can’t wait.
My Tweets
Archives
- October 2024
- September 2024
- November 2023
- October 2023
- May 2023
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- July 2022
- April 2022
- February 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- June 2021
- January 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- July 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- March 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016