Business units

The unit produces systems for observing the weather in the upper atmosphere, such as radiosondes and dropsondes, and related ground equipment. The sounding systems collect and transmit data on pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed and direction. This information is used for daily weather forecasting. Sounding data collected over decades is also used for the study of climate change.

The unit measures and collects data on the major weather variables, i.e. temperature, pressure, humidity, precipitation, and wind speed and direction. Road and airport weather systems also collect data on the slipperiness of road and runway surfaces.

The systems can be built into reliable weather measurement networks for the needs of different areas. These networks enable the automatic collection, processing and reporting of data. Accurate and realtime weather information is required in many environmental applications such as in meteorology and hydrology and in road and air traffic.

The unit produces systems and instruments for lightning tracking and detection. These systems collect and distribute information for realtime weather observations and nowcasts. The systems can be built into networks that forecast approaching thunderstorms and track lightning strikes. Lightning detection is used in electrical power distribution, the insurance business and aviation.

The first Vaisala Weather Radar was introduced to the market in 2007, and the first deliveries took place at the beginning of 2008. The Vaisala Weather Radar business unit includes the Sigmet product line, which specializes in weather radar signal processors, application software and updates to existing weather radars.