A weather-detecting device (100) can include a substrate (102) and a detection region (106) exposed to an environment within which the weather-detecting device (100) is situated when in use. An array (110) of heating elements (112) can be mounted at a first side of the substrate (102), with at least one surface of each heating element (112) in the array (110) being positioned within the detection region (106). A controller can be electrically coupled to the array (110) of heating elements (112), and the controller can individually address each heating element (112) in the array (110) to selectively pass electrical current through each heating element (112).

A method for estimating precipitation distribution for a geographical region comprising the steps of: providing precipitation data (S10) for the geographical region with a first spatial resolution for a predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2); providing first soil moisture data (S20) for the geographical region for a first point in time (t.sub.3) with a second spatial resolution, wherein the second spatial resolution is higher than the first spatial resolution, and wherein the first point in time (t.sub.3) is within the predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2); providing second soil moisture data (S30) for the geographical region for a second point in time (t.sub.4) with a third spatial resolution, wherein the third spatial resolution is higher than the first spatial resolution, and wherein the second point in time (t.sub.4) is within the predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2); calculating soil moisture difference data (S40) between the first soil moisture data and the second soil moisture data; calculating precipitation distribution data (S50) for the geographical region for the predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2) based on the precipitation data and the soil moisture difference data with a spatial resolution higher than the first spatial resolution.

A method for estimating precipitation distribution for a geographical region comprising the steps of: providing precipitation data (S10) for the geographical region with a first spatial resolution for a predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2); providing first soil moisture data (S20) for the geographical region for a first point in time (t.sub.3) with a second spatial resolution, wherein the second spatial resolution is higher than the first spatial resolution, and wherein the first point in time (t.sub.3) is within the predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2); providing second soil moisture data (S30) for the geographical region for a second point in time (t.sub.4) with a third spatial resolution, wherein the third spatial resolution is higher than the first spatial resolution, and wherein the second point in time (t.sub.4) is within the predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2); calculating soil moisture difference data (S40) between the first soil moisture data and the second soil moisture data; calculating precipitation distribution data (S50) for the geographical region for the predetermined period of time (t.sub.1, t.sub.2) based on the precipitation data and the soil moisture difference data with a spatial resolution higher than the first spatial resolution.

A computerized method of processing data for use in weather modeling is provided. The method includes receiving, from a first data source, by a first server, microwave link data including signal attenuation information. The method also includes pre-processing, in real time, by the first server, the microwave link data, thereby producing pre-processed microwave link data, The method also includes storing the pre-processed microwave link data in a first data store. The method also includes receiving, from the first data store, by a second server, the pre-processed microwave link data. The method also includes processing, on a scheduled routine, by the second server, the pre-processed microwave link data using a data transform, thereby producing first weather data.

A raindrop detection device 10 includes an LED 11, a photodiode 14, a microprocessor 20, and an LED flashing circuit 22. The LED 11 emits light in a specific direction. The photodiode 14 is disposed at a position opposite the LED 11 and receives light emitted from the LED 11. The microprocessor 20 detects raindrops that have passed between the LED 11 and the photodiode 14, according to the change in the amount of light received by the photodiode 14. The LED flashing circuit 22 controls the on and off switching of light emitted from the LED 11.

A raindrop detection device 10 includes an LED 11, a photodiode 14, a microprocessor 20, and an LED flashing circuit 22. The LED 11 emits light in a specific direction. The photodiode 14 is disposed at a position opposite the LED 11 and receives light emitted from the LED 11. The microprocessor 20 detects raindrops that have passed between the LED 11 and the photodiode 14, according to the change in the amount of light received by the photodiode 14. The LED flashing circuit 22 controls the on and off switching of light emitted from the LED 11.

A distributed weather system includes a storage, a plurality of wireless weather stations, a server, and an interface. Each of the plurality of wireless weather stations is associated with a user and has a battery, a location sensor generating location information, an anemometer generating apparent wind speed, a transmitter transmitting the location information with the apparent wind speed to a network at periodic intervals, and a receiver receiving control commands that include a length of the periodic intervals. The server receives the location information with the apparent wind speed and stores them in the storage. The interface is accessible by a mobile computer, and receives the control commands from a user and sends them to the receiver of the wireless weather station associated with the user. The interface displays a true wind speed for each of the plurality of wireless weather stations, which is calculated using the apparent wind speed, the location information, and historical location information.

A method for measuring a particles' precipitation rate includes the steps of acquiring at least one first image during a precipitation event through an image acquisition device having a sensor and lens; detecting the particles of the precipitation in the at least one first image by subtracting a background of the first image and setting a brightness threshold for detecting the particles, the particles being visible as a plurality of streaks in the image, wherein a first portion of the plurality of streaks comprises blurred streaks, and a second portion of the plurality of streaks comprises focused streaks; determining an apparent diameter and an apparent length for the plurality of streaks; estimating an actual diameter and an actual length for the plurality of streaks by resolving an equations' system having three equations and three unknowns, namely the actual diameter, the actual length and a depth position of the plurality of streaks, the depth position being the position of each particle from the lens, in which a first equation has the actual diameter as unknown in function of the depth position, a second equation has the actual length as unknown in function of the depth position and a third equation equals the theoretical terminal velocity of the particles with an estimated velocity of the particles in function of the depth position; estimating the velocity of the particles based on the ratio between a net streak length and an exposure time used to take at least one first image; estimating the particles' precipitation rate based on the actual diameter and the velocity (v).

A method for measuring a particles' precipitation rate includes the steps of acquiring at least one first image during a precipitation event through an image acquisition device having a sensor and lens; detecting the particles of the precipitation in the at least one first image by subtracting a background of the first image and setting a brightness threshold for detecting the particles, the particles being visible as a plurality of streaks in the image, wherein a first portion of the plurality of streaks comprises blurred streaks, and a second portion of the plurality of streaks comprises focused streaks; determining an apparent diameter and an apparent length for the plurality of streaks; estimating an actual diameter and an actual length for the plurality of streaks by resolving an equations' system having three equations and three unknowns, namely the actual diameter, the actual length and a depth position of the plurality of streaks, the depth position being the position of each particle from the lens, in which a first equation has the actual diameter as unknown in function of the depth position, a second equation has the actual length as unknown in function of the depth position and a third equation equals the theoretical terminal velocity of the particles with an estimated velocity of the particles in function of the depth position; estimating the velocity of the particles based on the ratio between a net streak length and an exposure time used to take at least one first image; estimating the particles' precipitation rate based on the actual diameter and the velocity (v).

The invention relates to a device for measuring rain and snow, comprising: a module for collecting water or snow; a module for measuring the level and volume of fluid; an information processing module; a heating module for collecting snow; a frame; and a photovoltaic energy module.