Balloons have enhanced the culture of the world in diverse ways. Not only are the gas-filled objects used for our enjoyment, the balloons are also utilized as an asset to improve the theories and forecasts of a meteorologist and scientist. The radiosonde, otherwise known as the "weather balloon", continues to be hailed by many as the most original and greatest method to improve the forecast of a meteorologist.
Believe or not, the radiosonde is used throughout a daily basis in our own backyard! Scientists, who work for the GroundWinds project at the Mount Washington Observatory's Bartlett Research Facility, releases the radiosonde into the air two to four times daily. The equipment contributes to the project by providing weather data upwards of thirty kilometers above the surface of the Mount Washington Valley. The use of the radiosonde enhances the scientist's studies of the LIDAR laser system, which is hoped to become future technology for meteorological forecasting.
The knowledge of humidity, wind speed, and temperature can become vague in areas such as North Conway. However, the utilization of the radiosonde, which is a small, lightweight box that has meteorological sensors, can diminish any uncertainty one may have. Corresponding with the midnight time in Greenwich, England, the radiosonde is launched every twelve hours. The equipment is connected to a cord, which is attached to a large parachute-like balloon.
Once lifted into the air, the radiosonde measures wind speed, dew point, barometric pressure, and the temperature. The data is viewed near real-time from a computer that rapidly reconverts radio waves into readable data. The computer enables the observer to view a vertical distribution of the readings, which is known as a sounding. Obtaining one to four hours of data, the radiosonde bursts when the balloon grows to its maximum size of approximately thirty feet in diameter. It is during this time where the balloon retreats to earth. Each launch costs an average of $500 to $1,000. Though this may seem very costly, the radiosonde remains to be one of the least expensive and most thorough weather observing equipment available.
Not only does the radiosonde advance the GroundWinds project at the Bartlett Research Facility, the equipment also helps meteorologist in their ability to forecast. Very few, if any, equipment can retain atmospheric information as high as the radiosonde is able to complete. The much-needed information gives meteorologists the insight as to what is occurring well above our lives in the Mount Washington Valley.