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Justine Calma
NASA tests out 3D wind profiling to improve weather forecasts.

It’s gathering “extremely precise” wind measurements using an instrument that sends out 200 laser pulses per second from an aircraft. By documenting how those pulses bounce off aerosol particles, NASA’s able to create 3D profiles showing wind speed and direction.

The hope is that this can make up for a dearth in data on winds above the surface of the Earth, which could lead to more accurate storm forecasts.

This visualization shows wind measurements gathered on Oct. 15, 2024, as NASA’s G-III aircraft flew along the East Coast of the U.S. and across the Great Lakes region.
This visualization shows wind measurements gathered on Oct. 15, 2024, as NASA’s G-III aircraft flew along the East Coast of the U.S. and across the Great Lakes region.
Visualization: NASA
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