Source: TOI
Context:
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has inaugurated India’s first “SkyCast” System at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi. SkyCast is a next-generation, integrated atmospheric remote sensing system designed for aviation weather monitoring. It brings together multiple real-time measurements of fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture, and visibility into a single, comprehensive aviation weather intelligence framework. The system has been developed under Mission Mausam, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) aimed at making India weather-ready and climate-smart through upgraded observation networks, modelling, and forecasting.
Aim:
(a) Usher India into fog-free, weather-smart aviation.
(b) Reduce flight delays, cancellations, and diversions caused by adverse weather.
(c) Maximise safety during take-off and landing, the most weather-sensitive phases of flight.
Multi-sensor integration:
| Instrument | What it does |
|---|---|
| Radar Wind Profiler | Measures wind speed, direction, and vertical motion in the lower atmosphere |
| SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging) | Uses sound waves to study wind, turbulence, and boundary-layer behaviour |
| Microwave Radiometer | Measures temperature and humidity profiles vertically through the atmosphere |
| Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) | Studies fog droplet sizes and aerosol-fog interactions |
| CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer | Uses laser pulses to map the vertical structure and density of fog and clouds |
About the News
What is SkyCast?
SkyCast is India’s first integrated aviation weather intelligence system, designed to provide real-time atmospheric data on fog, aerosols, turbulence, moisture, and visibility, helping airports and pilots make safer take-off and landing decisions.
Where has it been launched and by whom?
Launched at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi, by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, under Mission Mausam of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
What instruments does it use?
(a) Radar Wind Profiler. (b) SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging). (c) Microwave Radiometer. (d) Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS). (e) CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer.
Up to what altitude does it monitor the atmosphere?
Up to about 3 kilometres, mapping the boundary layer, wind, turbulence, temperature, and humidity in real time.
Why is GFAS especially important for Delhi?
Because Delhi’s winter fog is mixed with high levels of pollution and aerosols. The Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer can track droplet sizes and aerosol-fog interactions, which helps in understanding and forecasting the unique pollution-fog mix that affects flights.
What is the nowcasting window?
SkyCast provides precise nowcasts and real-time alerts within a 3-hour window, which is the most critical period for aviation flight planning.
Background Concepts (Q&A)
What is “Mission Mausam”, and What Does it Aim to Do?
Mission Mausam is a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) approved in September 2024, to make India weather-ready and climate-smart by upgrading its weather observation, modelling, and forecasting capabilities. The mission aims to build a world-class observation network of radars, wind profilers, balloons, ocean buoys, and satellites, deploy advanced numerical weather prediction models, and develop AI and Machine Learning-based forecasting tools to deliver hyperlocal, sector-specific weather forecasts for agriculture, aviation, disaster management, urban planning, water resources, and public health. The mission also focuses on specific weather phenomena like fog, thunderstorms, heatwaves, cold waves, and extreme rainfall, which cause major disruption and damage in India. Its implementing agencies include the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM, Pune), the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and other MoES institutions. SkyCast is one of the first major operational deliverables under Mission Mausam, focused on aviation weather.
What is the “Atmospheric Boundary Layer”, and Why Does It Matter for Aviation and Pollution?
The Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL), also called the Planetary Boundary Layer, is the lowest part of the Earth’s atmosphere, typically extending from the surface up to about 1-3 kilometres, depending on time of day, weather, and location. Above the ABL lies the free atmosphere, where conditions are less influenced by surface friction, heating, and moisture. The ABL is critical for several reasons:
(a) It is the layer where most weather phenomena affecting daily life happen, including fog, low clouds, wind shear, turbulence, and pollution mixing.
(b) Aircraft take-off and landing happen entirely within this layer, making boundary-layer dynamics central to aviation safety.
(c) Pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and SO2 mix and disperse within the ABL. In winter, the ABL becomes shallow (cold ground compresses it), trapping pollution near the surface, which is why Delhi’s winter pollution is so severe.
(d) Fog formation depends on temperature and humidity profiles within the ABL.
SkyCast’s 3-km vertical monitoring is specifically designed to map the boundary layer in detail, which is why its data is useful for both aviation safety and urban pollution management.
Practice MCQs
Q1. With reference to India’s first SkyCast System, consider the following statements:
- SkyCast has been inaugurated at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, New Delhi.
- The system has been developed under Mission Mausam, an initiative of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- It is designed to provide aviation weather intelligence by integrating multiple atmospheric remote-sensing instruments.
- The system continuously monitors atmospheric conditions up to an altitude of about 3 kilometres.
How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (e) None
Q2. Consider the following statements about the instruments integrated into the SkyCast System:
- The Radar Wind Profiler measures wind speed, direction, and vertical motion in the lower atmosphere.
- SODAR uses sound waves to study wind, turbulence, and boundary-layer behaviour.
- The Microwave Radiometer measures temperature and humidity profiles through the atmosphere.
- The CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer is used to track the vertical structure and density of fog.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q3. With reference to Mission Mausam, consider the following statements:
- Mission Mausam was approved by the Government of India in September 2024.
- It is implemented under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- The mission focuses on upgrading weather observation, modelling, and forecasting capabilities to make India weather-ready and climate-smart.
- Implementing agencies include the India Meteorological Department, IITM (Pune), and NCMRWF.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Q4. Consider the following statements about the Atmospheric Boundary Layer (ABL):
- The Atmospheric Boundary Layer is the lowest part of the Earth’s atmosphere, typically extending from the surface up to about 1-3 kilometres.
- Most weather phenomena affecting daily life, including fog, turbulence, and low clouds, occur within the ABL.
- The ABL becomes shallow in winter, trapping pollutants near the surface and contributing to severe urban air pollution.
- Aircraft take-off and landing happen entirely within the Atmospheric Boundary Layer.
Which of the above are correct? (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only (e) All four
Answer Key
- (d), All four statements are correct.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
- (e), All four statements are correct.
