NOAA Radiosonde Observations for FIFE Project

Radiosonde observations provide pressure, temperature, and humidity profiles from the surface to the termination altitude of weather balloon soundings. The dataset covers 1123 days from July 1985 to October 1988, with measurements taken at twelve-hour intervals. Data were collected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using sondes released from Dodge City and Topeka, Kansas.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical profiles of atmospheric pressure over time.
• Studying historical temperature trends in the upper atmosphere.
• Investigating humidity variations from the surface to high altitudes.
• Validating or calibrating regional climate models for the 1985-1988 period.
• Researching atmospheric conditions relevant to the FIFE land-surface experiment.

Strengths

• Dataset provides a consistent 3-year time series with 1123 days of coverage.
• Measurements were taken at a regular twelve-hour interval, supporting temporal analysis.
• Data includes profiles from two distinct launch sites (Dodge City and Topeka), offering spatial context.

Limitations

• The specific column names and data structure are not documented across any platform.
• There is a conflict in last updated metadata: one source states 2026-03 12, another states 1988-10-23.
• The total row count and file size are unknown.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Data extracted from the NOAA operational analysis system and transmitted to the FIS, collected via radiosonde (weather balloon) releases.

Time Range

1985-07 to 1988-10

Freshness

2026-03-12 22:27:07.529324

Geography

Launch sites in Dodge City and Topeka, Kansas, USA, with profiles extending vertically from the surface.