50 years of falling

Celebrating 50 Years of Innovation in Weather Science!

In 1974, a transformation in atmospheric research was born at NSF NCAR with the invention of the wind-finding Dropsonde. Since its first deployment during the GATE field campaign, this technology has transformed our understanding of severe weather systems. For five decades, Dropsondes have been pivotal in hurricane monitoring, tracking atmospheric rivers, and other vital meteorological research.