Information About the Upper Air Program Can be Found Here
Why Do Forecasters Still Rely on Weather Balloons?
Twice every day, from nearly 100 locations in the United States, the National
Weather Service launches weather balloons, carrying instrument packages
called radiosondes. Radiosonde sensors measure upper-air conditions such
as atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction.
The data is important for aviation safety, and meteorologists use radiosonde
information to prepare weather forecasts. Details...