The program allows for a time synched upper atmospheric “snapshot” across the entire globe as soundings are typically launched at a specified time. These worldwide soundings are then ingested into the various global and synoptic scale forecast models as a main source of information for the various forecast models to initialize off of and produce forecasts for meteorologists and various other users. These soundings are also used extensively as a real-time data source as well, as the information can be plotted on various thermodynamic diagrams such as Skew-T log-P Diagrams and Stuve Diagrams providing valuable information to meteorologists. Atmospheric soundings are also used extensively for air pollution models and climate research. For more information about the history of upper-air observations please click here: History of Upper-Air Observations. Click here for Historical Photo’s.

Map of CONUS Upper-Air Observing Stations

SkewT log-P Diagram with additional sounding data and calculations

Courtesy: NOAA/NWS - Storm Prediction Center

Across the entire planet twice a day at midnight and noon Zulu time ( Greenwich, England), weather balloons with radiosondes attached under them are launched to sample the global atmosphere. For NWS WFO Reno our weather balloons and radiosondes are launched at 4am and 4pm Pacific daylight savings time and at 3am and 3pm Pacific standard time. These flights are launched in all weather conditions ranging from blizzard conditions to high wind to temperatures over 100 degrees 365 days a year including weekends and holidays. The only real exception or delay of a flight would be when convective activity, like a thunderstorm, is present over or near the weather station. It is also important to note that “Special” soundings may be flown for various reasons which can include research, or when rapidly changing conditions are present in the atmosphere, or when severe weather is expected in a region.

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