en.Wedoany.com Reported - Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated India's first SkyCast atmospheric remote sensing system at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, marking a significant enhancement in the country's aviation meteorological monitoring capabilities. With only 18 such integrated atmospheric remote sensing units currently operational worldwide, India becomes the 19th country to deploy this technology. The inauguration featured technical briefings and demonstrations by scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, with officials from the Ministry of Earth Sciences and the India Meteorological Department in attendance.
The SkyCast system integrates a radar wind profiler, acoustic radar, microwave radiometer, ground-based fog aerosol spectrometer, and a CL61 lidar-based ceilometer to conduct comprehensive monitoring of the boundary layer up to an altitude of three kilometers. The radar wind profiler continuously measures wind speed, direction, turbulence, vertical velocity, and boundary layer dynamics, parameters that are particularly critical during aircraft descent and landing phases. The ground-based fog aerosol spectrometer provides detailed data on fog droplet and aerosol interactions, directly impacting visibility conditions.
The system consolidates real-time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, humidity, and visibility into a unified aviation weather intelligence framework, supporting pilots, airlines, airport operators, and air traffic management personnel. SkyCast is designed to provide nowcasting and early warning services, capable of issuing advanced alerts within a short window of approximately three hours, enabling operators to make safer decisions and reduce diversions, flight cancellations, and delays. A second SkyCast facility is planned for Jewar Airport, with subsequent expansion to other airports across India.
The development of the SkyCast system is based on the Winter Fog Experiment launched at IGI Airport in 2015, which provided the foundation for the system's operational capabilities. Officials stated that as the network expands under the Mission Mausam project, the facility will enhance vertical profiling of wind, humidity, and temperature, improving forecast accuracy. Beyond aviation, SkyCast observation data will support advanced forecasting models, AI-assisted decision-making systems, urban weather forecasting, pollution management, traffic warnings, and disaster response efforts. The system is regarded as a key component in building climate-smart infrastructure and enhancing aviation resilience for both passengers and operators.
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