FIFE: Standard Pressure Level Radiosonde Profiles

Over 450 radiosonde balloon flights provide atmospheric profiles interpolated to 5-millibar pressure intervals. These derived data include computed U and V wind components and potential temperature, parameters used for initializing and verifying numerical weather models. The data were collected during daylight hours at one- to three-hour intervals across multiple FIFE Intensive Field Campaigns.

Use Cases

• Initializing numerical weather prediction models based on vertical profiles of pressure, temperature, and wind.
• Verifying model output by comparing simulated atmospheric conditions against observed radiosonde profiles.
• Analyzing wind patterns using derived east-west (U) and north-south (V) wind components.
• Studying atmospheric stability and energy using computed potential temperature profiles.

Strengths

• Contains over 450 individual radiosonde flight profiles, providing a substantial observational record.
• Data are processed to a standardized 5-millibar pressure grid, facilitating consistent analysis and model comparison.
• Includes derived variables (U/V winds, potential temperature) specifically calculated for modeling applications.

Limitations

• Data were generated via linear interpolation, a method noted to introduce some errors.
• Metadata completeness is low, with column names, exact row counts, and precise temporal coverage unspecified.
• There is a conflict in reported freshness, with one source listing a 2026 update date and another a 1989 date, casting doubt on data maintenance.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from original FIFE Radiosonde Data via linear interpolation to 5-mb pressure levels.

Time Range

During the FIFE Intensive Field Campaigns (IFCs).

Freshness

1989-08-12 23:59:59.999000

Geography

FIFE study area (likely Konza Prairie, Kansas).