Balloons boost climate forecasting

Data collected by the balloons is used to train AI for accurate weather forecasting

Spotted: As the climate changes, weather is becoming more difficult to predict, and in many areas – particularly over oceans and in the global South – there is a shortage of weather stations. Even in areas with plentiful in-situ weather observation stations, the cost of collecting data can be very expensive.

Now, Sorcerer is developing a global network of persistent weather balloons to provide real-time data in previously unreachable locations. Each balloon remains airborne for over six months, completing around 30 orbits of the globe. The balloons can navigate between sea level and 65,000 feet and, notably, can collect 1,000 times more data per dollar than existing systems.

Sorcerer then uses the data collected by the balloons to train AI weather models. The company claims its regional forecasts are up to 50 per cent more accurate than existing forecasts, due to their high spatial and temporal resolutions.

The company was founded this year by a team of three engineers whose experience includes aerospace and product development at decacorn companies. Sorcerer is supported by Y Combinator and has more than $5.5 million of signed Letters of Intent for the balloons and software, including with the US Department of Defense and National Weather Service, as well as the government of El Salvador.

Written By: Lisa Magloff