If COVID-19 hadn’t affected our daily lives enough, new research suggests the pandemic could be partly to blame for less accurate weather forecasts.
The reason? A lack of air traffic.
Aircraft typically record useful information like air temperature, relative humidity, air pressure and wind speeds along their flight path that help meteorologists with their forecasts.
But with COVID-19 leaving many airlines grounded, this information hasn’t been recorded.
The study estimates the world has 50-75% less aircraft weather readings between March and May this year, and this lack of information has led to less accurate forecasts.
The researchers say more observation sites should be introduced to prevent this problem into the future.
Interestingly, the study found before flights were grounded in February, forecasts were actually more accurate than they had been in previous years.
So, there you have it! Even if the forecast is for blue skies, you might want to get a second opinion before you put that load in the wash.
