University of South Alabama adds Climavision radar data for weather research

The University of South Alabama is partnering with Climavision to give students and faculty access to supplemental radar data for atmospheric science instruction and research. The collaboration starts with the Fall 2026 semester and is aimed at improving storm analysis, training, and severe weather preparedness in coastal Alabama.

Why it matters: - The University of South Alabama will use Climavision radar data to improve weather education, research and hands-on training. - The partnership gives students access to observational tools used in operational forecasting. - The arrangement could strengthen local severe-weather readiness by helping future meteorologists study storms in greater detail.

What happened: - Climavision announced an academic partnership with the University of South Alabama on June 24, 2026. - The company is making proprietary radar data available for instruction and research in atmospheric science. - Climavision will also work with the university on radar site visits, guest lectures and student research projects. - Students and faculty will begin using the radar data when the Fall 2026 semester starts.

The details: - Dr. Jake Wiley, assistant professor of meteorology at USA, said the partnership will give students access to cutting-edge observational tools used by operational meteorologists every day. - Wiley said Climavision data will be incorporated into forecasting, research and classroom activities. - Wiley said the collaboration will help students analyze high-impact weather events and make real-time decisions. - Wiley said the partnership also supports research on coastal and severe weather. - Dr. Sytske Kimball, chair of the Department of Earth Sciences and director of the South Alabama Mesonet, said Climavision radars fill long-standing gaps in Alabama weather radar coverage. - Kimball said students and researchers will be able to study storms in the lowest parts of the atmosphere and combine that with Mesonet weather stations for a more complete view of storm structure. - Climavision was founded in 2021. - The company is deploying high-resolution X-band weather radars to fill gaps between federal NEXRAD radars. - The company says as many as 130 million people live in areas where the National Weather Service has limited visibility on low-altitude weather phenomena. - Climavision has already deployed nearly 30 radars. - Three of those radars cover significant NEXRAD gaps in Alabama, including one in southwest Alabama north of USA’s Mobile campus. - The Alabama Emergency Management Agency has contracted with Climavision for data from those radars. - State and county emergency managers will use the data to detect threatening weather in areas where they previously lacked visibility. - Official watches and warnings will continue to come from the National Weather Service. - Better visibility is expected to help emergency managers respond more quickly and effectively to tornadoes, hail and other severe weather.

Between the lines: - The USA partnership extends Climavision’s role in Alabama beyond emergency management and into academic training. - The university access adds a workforce-development layer to the radar network, not just a forecasting or public-safety function. - Climavision CEO Chris Goode said the company’s broader goal is to change how critical weather infrastructure is delivered and used to protect communities. - Goode said the partnership helps improve understanding of severe weather now and prepares future scientists and meteorologists.

What's next: - USA students and faculty will start working with the data in Fall 2026. - The partnership could expand research output, field experience and professional development activities tied to coastal and severe weather. - Climavision is expected to continue building out its supplemental radar network across the country. - Media can access video and stills of Climavision’s Alabama radars at the company’s media assets link.

The bottom line: - Climavision is turning its Alabama radar network into both an emergency-management tool and a university training resource.