A method for detecting an ice on a road surface includes: providing a spectral imaging camera; recording a first reflectance (R1) of the surface at 0.545 to 0.565 μm using the spectral imaging camera; recording a second reflectance (R2) of the surface at 0.620 to 0.670 μm using the spectral imaging camera; recording a third reflectance (R3) of the surface at 0.841 to 0.876 μm using the spectral imaging camera; calculating an ice index based on the first reflectance, the second reflectance, and the third reflectance; providing a thermometer; recording a surface temperature of the surface using the thermometer; and detecting a presence of the ice on the surface based on the ice index and the surface temperature. A system for detecting an ice on a surface is also disclosed.

A computer system and method for improving the accuracy of predictions of the amount of renewable energy, such as solar energy and wind energy, available to an electric utility, and/or refine such predictions, by providing improved integration of meteorological forecasts. Coefficient values are calculated for a renewable energy generation model by performing a regression analysis with the forecasted level of renewable energy posted by the utility, forecasted weather conditions and measures of seasonality as explanatory variables. Accuracy is further enhanced through the inclusion of a large number of time series variables that reflect the systematic nature of the energy/weather system. The model also uses the original forecast posted by the system operator as well as variables to control for season.

Certain aspects pertain to a cloud detector comprising a first detector module directed to a first region of the sky and a second detector module directed to a second region of the sky. Each detector module has a tube enclosing one or more sensing elements. The one or more sensing elements of the first detector module are configured to take weather condition readings from the first region of the sky. The one or more sensing elements of the second detector module are configured to take weather condition readings from the second region of the sky. In one aspect, the cloud detector is configured to detect cloud cover based on these weather condition readings. In some cases, the one or more sensing elements comprise an infrared radiation detector (e.g., thermopile) for measuring infrared radiation intensity and a photosensor element for measuring sunlight intensity.

Disclosed embodiments include systems, vehicles, and methods for presenting weather conditions a traveler may encounter while traveling a route. In an illustrative embodiment, a computing device executes instructions to present an integrated route map. An input is received indicative of a trip to be made to a destination by a traveler. A store of route data for an area encompassing the trip is accessed. At least one route is identified. A weather forecasting service is accessed from which expected weather conditions are accessible for the area through the projected time. The expected weather conditions are identified for the location at the projected time. An integrated route map is displayed showing the at least one route and the expected weather conditions for the location at the projected time.

A system for collecting and distributing meteorological data is disclosed the system comprising at least two mobile meteorological stations (MMS) and each of the stations comprising at least a controller, a sensors unit that comprises one or more sensors such as temperature sensor, humidity sensor, air pressure sensor, wind speed and/or wind direction sensor, a location sensor unit and a communication unit configured to enable communication with at least one other MMS. The controller may be configured to receive meteorological data from the sensors unit and location data from the location sensor unit and to send a meteorological data and location data to the at least one other MMS.

A wireless mesh network includes a group of nodes configured to predict cloud movements based on voltage time series data. A node residing in the wireless mesh network records voltage fluctuations at a site where solar power is generated. The voltage fluctuations occur when an advancing cloud reduces solar irradiance at the site, thereby reducing solar power generation. The node correlates these voltage fluctuations with other voltage fluctuations recorded by other nodes at other sites where solar power is generated. The node computes a time offset between these voltage fluctuations that corresponds to the time needed for the cloud to advance between the different sites. Based on this time offset and the locations of the various nodes, the node estimates a wind vector. The wind vector can be used to perform near-term solar forecasting by predicting when the cloud will advance to other sites and reduce solar power generation.

An avionics computer system receives or calculates storm growth rate data, converts that data into a renderable format, and displays that data visually. The avionics computer system receives location and trajectory data, projects a future storm size/height based on the trajectory and growth rate, and determines if the storm is likely to intersect the trajectory when the aircraft is projected to reach the storm location. Certain threshold growth rates are associated with some artifice indicating the severity of the storm. The application of such artifice may be weighted according to the aircraft trajectory, estimated growth rate, and a projected proximity to the storm.

A method for automatically translating raw data into real human voiced audio content is provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method may comprise ingesting data, separating the data into or associating the data with a data type, and creating a list of descriptive data associated with the data type. In some embodiments, the method further comprises compiling audio phrases types associated with the descriptive data, associating a pre-recorded audio file with each audio phrase, and merging a plurality of pre-recorded audio files to create a final audio file.

Disclosed are a method and system for precise height positioning based on global navigation satellite system (GNSS). A precise height positioning method may include determining an orthometric height based on a barometric pressure and a temperature of a region where an unmanned aerial vehicle is located, determining a geoid height in accordance with GNSS positioning information of the unmanned aerial vehicle, and determining a final altitude based on a difference between an ellipsoidal height in accordance with the orthometric height and the geoid height and an ellipsoidal height included in the GNSS positioning information.

The systems, methods, and apparatuses described herein provide integrated weather forecast products designed to assist operations managers with operational decision-making related to a designated event or set of events. The present disclosure provides a way to process weather data from various sources and in diverse data formats containing varying spatial resolutions and temporal resolutions, in order to generate an integrated and cohesive weather projection product such that the weather projection product is continuous in both spatial and temporal domains relative to a designated event or set of events.