FIFE Radiosonde Atmospheric Profiles

Temperature Profiles: Radiosonde (FIFE) contains atmospheric profile data derived from radiosonde flights conducted during the First ISLSCP Field Experiment. The data, collected in the summer and fall of 1987 and late summer of 1989 by Dr. Wilfred H. Brutsaert, provide corrected and interpolated measurements of potential temperature and specific humidity across standard pressure levels. This dataset is hosted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Use Cases

• Analyzing vertical atmospheric stability based on potential temperature profiles.
• Studying water vapor transport and distribution using specific humidity profiles.
• Validating or calibrating land surface and atmospheric models for the FIFE study region.
• Investigating seasonal and diurnal variations in atmospheric structure during the late 1980s.

Strengths

• Data has been corrected for known sensor delays and algorithm inconsistencies.
• Measurements are interpolated to a consistent set of standard pressure levels, enhancing comparability.
• The dataset originates from an intensive field campaign (FIFE) led by a noted scientist, Dr. Wilfred H. Brutsaert.

Limitations

• The exact number of rows and columns is unknown, limiting precise assessment of dataset scale.
• Conflicting last-updated dates (1989 vs. 2026) create uncertainty about data currency and maintenance.
• Documentation and column details are sparse across all platform entries.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collection Method

Derived from radiosonde flights conducted during the FIFE campaign.

Time Range

Summer and fall of 1987 and late summer of 1989

Freshness

2026-04-09 21:49:34.234395

Geography

First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) region