NOAA National Weather Service

Radiosonde Balloon Ascent Rates 

Below are charts that show the percentage of upper air radiosonde soundings taken during the month, by NWS station, that ascended on average below 275 meters/minute (red) and above 350 meters/minute (blue). These data are generated from the data archive the sites send to the NOAA National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) each month. 

Sites must strive to have all balloons ascend between 275 and 350 meters/minute. Ascension rates too low result in the sensors not aspirating properly and possible loss of valuable wind data if a radio-direction finding tracking system is used. Ascension rates too high increase gas costs for each flight and increase the chances of an early balloon burst.   Sites should have no more than 5 % of their monthly flights with ascent rates below 275 meters/minute or above 350 meters/minute. 

Sites with missing data archives for February, 2013

None

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