Challenge
Thunderstorms constitute the most dangerous weather phenomena for aviation. Especially in data-poor regions (e.g. Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea) without weather radar coverage a forecast of the exact location, height and time of occurrences of thunderstorms as well as lightning, icing, hail, turbulence, and downdrafts continue to be a challenge for pilots. Modern civil and military aviation, however, need precise weather hazard information in order to plan in advance and enable the mitigation of weather hazard effects.
Optimized route planning esp. for unmanned aircraft (such as NATO-AGS, HAPS), for sensitive cargo and refuelling as well an improved recognized air picture can be enabled by satellite based thunderstorm detection and nowcasting up to one hour. In addition this weather hazard data can be integrated with other aviation weather data based on spatio-temporal data cubes.
Strategic flight planning around thunderstorms (source: Cb-global by WxFUSION)
Thunderstorms around Sigonella NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (source: Cb-global by WxFUSION)
