Penn State, Climavison partner to support the next generation of meteorologists

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new partnership between Penn State and weather technology company Climavision aims to open research and training opportunities for students and faculty, and potentially help advance weather detection and warning aross the commonwealth.

Through the partnership, Climavision will provide access to its supplemental network of high-resolution weather radars. These radars are designed to cover areas not well-sampled by the existing National Weather Service network across much of the United States, according to Paul Markowski, head of Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science at Penn State. The data will be available in both real-time and historical formats, supporting a wide range of classroom, research and applied learning opportunities. Climavision’s scientists will also provide lectures, training and other support for the Penn State community.

“The Climavision radar data will potentially be a treasure trove for our students with opportunities afforded for both research and classroom activities,” Markowski said.

Climavision’s data supports a range of applications, including analysis of severe weather, precipitation, lake-effect snow, smoke plumes and other atmospheric conditions. The company owns and operates a growing network of radars across the United States designed to enhance low-level weather observations in areas where public systems have limited coverage. The company estimates about 4 million people in Pennsylvania live in these coverage gaps.

Markowski, an expert on tornadoes, said the addition of a Climavision radar near Lancaster has helped to provide a clearer picture of conditions that are often missed by more distant radar systems, and specifically has already helped with tornado detection in the Harrisburg area.

“This partnership is about putting high-quality, real-world data into the hands of the next generation of meteorologists,” said Chris Goode, Climavision’s CEO. “By providing access to real-time radar data, we’re helping students and researchers better understand how weather behaves at lower levels of the atmosphere, where impacts are felt most.”

Kyle Imhoff, Pennsylvania State Climatologist who is stationed at Penn State, already works with Climavision data through a state partnership.

“Broader University access to this data will help students and researchers, Imhoff said. “My team is already working with Climavision to incorporate its data into the Keystone Mesonet to allow for a centralized view of current weather conditions across Pennsylvania.”

Penn State is home to the highly ranked undergraduate and graduate meteorology and atmospheric science programs and forecasting platforms such as “Weather World” and the student-run Campus Weather Service. The University is also home to varied and vast weather and climate research that pulls from across disciplines.

Matthew Kumjian, a professor of meteorology who recently participated in the largest hail research project in decades, said the partnership will elevate research while helping to prepare the next generation of leaders in severe weather forecasting.

“Access to Climavision radar data and their team of experts is a unique opportunity for our students,” Kumjian said. “Such opportunities include independent research projects on different types of adverse weather that affects the commonwealth, to getting hands-on experience with data processing and visualization techniques in the classroom and making connections with colleagues in the private sector. All of these can help students prepare for their future careers.”