A method, computer system, and computer program product for providing spatial weather map data to the visually impaired are provided. The embodiments may include receiving a weather map image that contains weather information and a subject of interest, wherein the subject of interest comprises a user current location, a business location, or an asset location. The embodiments may also include receiving a request from a user for current time, historical or forecast data depicted in the weather map and a request for a geo-location of the subject of interest. The embodiments may further include generating sounds corresponding with the requested weather map data, wherein the generated sounds appear to the user to originate in a particular direction and at a particular distance from the subject of interest, wherein the apparent location of the sounds correspond with a weather map feature including the location of approaching or surrounding weather.

A system for monitoring flooding can include a plurality of flood monitoring stations and at least one flood warning station in communication with each flood monitoring station. Each flood monitoring station can include at least one sensor configured to detect water level and a visual warning device to alert users of actual or predicted flooding. Each flood monitoring station can include a processor to determine a water level using the sensor and control the visual warning device. Each flood monitoring station can include a processor and a wireless communications device to communicate the water level to the flood warning station.

A system for monitoring flooding can include a plurality of flood monitoring stations and at least one flood warning station in communication with each flood monitoring station. Each flood monitoring station can include at least one sensor configured to detect water level and a visual warning device to alert users of actual or predicted flooding. Each flood monitoring station can include a processor to determine a water level using the sensor and control the visual warning device. Each flood monitoring station can include a processor and a wireless communications device to communicate the water level to the flood warning station.

A method for detecting tornadogenesis in a mesocyclone, and to monitor and track intense tornadic mesocyclones. The method includes flying a UAV above the mesocyclone for an extended period of time and detecting transition to tornadic stage. This further intensification is indicated by transition in a core structure of the mesocyclone to include the presence of an eye. The UAV can be a Global Hawk aircraft and can include a number of sensors and detectors, such as an imaging camera for providing imaging data of the mesocyclone-core structure, an infrared detector for detecting changes in heat in the mesocyclone-core structure, a radar detector for detecting wind magnitudes and direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, dropsonde sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, relative humidity and wind direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, etc. The UAV can relay the storm parameter data to a satellite for subsequent downlinking to receiving stations at the Earth's surface.

A method for detecting tornadogenesis in a mesocyclone, and to monitor and track intense tornadic mesocyclones. The method includes flying a UAV above the mesocyclone for an extended period of time and detecting transition to tornadic stage. This further intensification is indicated by transition in a core structure of the mesocyclone to include the presence of an eye. The UAV can be a Global Hawk aircraft and can include a number of sensors and detectors, such as an imaging camera for providing imaging data of the mesocyclone-core structure, an infrared detector for detecting changes in heat in the mesocyclone-core structure, a radar detector for detecting wind magnitudes and direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, dropsonde sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, relative humidity and wind direction in the mesocyclone-core structure, etc. The UAV can relay the storm parameter data to a satellite for subsequent downlinking to receiving stations at the Earth's surface.

The present disclosure generally relates to infrared cloud detector systems and methods for detecting cloud cover conditions. The infrared cloud detector system comprises an infrared sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and logic. The infrared sensor is configured to measure sky temperature based on infrared radiation received within its field-of-view. The ambient temperature sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature. And the logic is configured to determine a cloud condition based on a difference between the measured sky temperature and the measured ambient temperature.

The present disclosure generally relates to infrared cloud detector systems and methods for detecting cloud cover conditions. The infrared cloud detector system comprises an infrared sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, and logic. The infrared sensor is configured to measure sky temperature based on infrared radiation received within its field-of-view. The ambient temperature sensor is configured to measure an ambient temperature. And the logic is configured to determine a cloud condition based on a difference between the measured sky temperature and the measured ambient temperature.

An example method includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with an autonomous vehicle, sensor data associated with a target object in an environment of the vehicle during a first environmental condition, where at least one sensor of the sensor(s) is configurable to be associated with one of a plurality of operating field of view volumes. The method also includes based on the sensor data, determining at least one parameter associated with the target object. The method also includes determining a degradation in the parameter(s) between the sensor data and past sensor data, where the past sensor data is associated with the target object in the environment during a second environmental condition different from the first and, based on the degradation, adjusting the operating field of view volume of the at least one sensor to a different one of the operating field of view volumes.

An example method includes receiving, from one or more sensors associated with an autonomous vehicle, sensor data associated with a target object in an environment of the vehicle during a first environmental condition, where at least one sensor of the sensor(s) is configurable to be associated with one of a plurality of operating field of view volumes. The method also includes based on the sensor data, determining at least one parameter associated with the target object. The method also includes determining a degradation in the parameter(s) between the sensor data and past sensor data, where the past sensor data is associated with the target object in the environment during a second environmental condition different from the first and, based on the degradation, adjusting the operating field of view volume of the at least one sensor to a different one of the operating field of view volumes.

Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for monitoring and compiling weather information/data for a plurality of identified locations along a route. A central computing entity 100 may store and retrieve a weather information/data inquiry template from memory, and may populate the weather information/data inquiry template with relevant information/data identifying locations for which weather information/data is requested. The central computing entity 100 may utilize the populated inquiry template to retrieve weather information/data from one or more weather information/data sources by transmitting the populated weather information/data inquiry to the one or more weather information/data sources to cause the weather information/data sources to provide weather information/data to the one or more computer processors; and to compile the retrieved weather information/data from the one or more weather information/data sources.