NOAA Radiosonde Observations: 1989 FIFE Study Atmospheric Profiles

396 days of radiosonde data from 1988-1989 were collected for the FIFE study, launched from Dodge City and Topeka, Kansas. The dataset contains vertical profiles of pressure, temperature, and humidity from the surface to the sounding termination point. These observations are used as input and verification for numerical weather models due to their horizontal stability.

Use Cases

• Initializing numerical weather prediction models based on vertical profiles of pressure, temperature, and humidity.
• Verifying simulation outputs from atmospheric models using observed upper-air data.
• Studying atmospheric stability and boundary layer processes for the FIFE study area.
• Analyzing seasonal variations in atmospheric profiles over a 13-month period.

Strengths

• Contains 396 days of observations, providing a substantial temporal sample for analysis.
• Covers a 13-month period from October 1988 to October 1989, capturing seasonal cycles.
• Data is associated with the well-documented FIFE (First ISLSCP Field Experiment) project.
• Available on multiple authoritative platforms (Data.gov, NASA Earthdata), indicating vetting and reuse.

Limitations

• Column names and exact data structure are not specified in any source, complicating direct use.
• Conflicting 'last updated' metadata between platforms (1989 vs. 2026) creates uncertainty about provenance.
• Sparse technical documentation regarding data formats, units, and quality control procedures.

Provenance

Source

National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), collected for the FIFE study.

Collection Method

Radiosonde observations launched from Dodge City, KS (337 km from FIFE area) and Topeka, KS (68 km from FIFE area).

Time Range

October 1988 through October 1989.

Freshness

Last updated metadata conflicts: one source lists 1989-10-31, another lists 2026-03-13.

Geography

Launch sites: Dodge City and Topeka, Kansas, USA. Data is considered applicable to the FIFE study area in Kansas.