Considerations on UAS-based in situ weather sensing in winter precipitation environments

Freezing rain and freezing drizzle can produce nearly undetectable hazards, with potentially catastrophic consequences for aircraft within low altitudes (e.g., the terminal area). However, the lack of direct observations of the low-altitude freezing precipitation environment creates a challenge for forecasters, flight crews, dispatchers, and air traffic controllers. This research demonstrates how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can be designed and instrumented to create unmanned aerial weather measurement systems (WxUAS) capable of characterizing the low-altitude freezing precipitation environment and providing insight into the mechanisms that govern it. In this article, we discuss the design considerations for WxUAS-based in situ sampling during active precipitation. We present results from controlled experiments at the Oklahoma Mesonet’s calibration laboratory as well as results from intercomparison studies with collocated well-established ground-based instruments in Oklahoma and Colorado. Additionally, we explore the insights provided by high-resolution thermodynamic and cloud droplet size distribution profiles and their potential contributions to a better understanding of the low-altitude freezing precipitation environment.