Justification for high-ascent attainment for balloon radiosonde soundings at GRUAN and other sites

Fujiwara, M., Sun, B., Reale, A., Cimini, D., Larosa, S., et al. (2025). Justification for high-ascent attainment for balloon radiosonde soundings at GRUAN and other sites. Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, doi:https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2919-2025

Title Justification for high-ascent attainment for balloon radiosonde soundings at GRUAN and other sites
Genre Article
Author(s) M. Fujiwara, B. Sun, A. Reale, D. Cimini, S. Larosa, L. Borg, C. von Rohden, M. Sommer, R. Dirksen, M. Maturilli, Holger Vömel, R. Kivi, B. Ingleby, R. J. Kramer, B. Demoz, F. Madonna, F. Carminati, O. Lewis, B. Candy, C. Thomas, D. Edwards, Noersomadi, K. Shimizu, P. Thorne
Abstract We assess and illustrate the benefits of high-altitude attainment of balloon-borne radiosonde soundings, up to and beyond 10 hPa level compared to, for example, 30 hPa, at operational stations and at sites of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) Reference Upper Air Network (GRUAN). We first discuss technical challenges and the possible solutions for balloon soundings at these higher altitudes. Then, we assess the role of high-ascent radiosonde measurements in climate monitoring and various process studies, contributions to satellite calibration and validation, and impacts on numerical weather prediction systems. The analysis herein shows that the extra costs and technical challenges involved in consistent attainment of high ascents are more than outweighed by the benefits for a broad variety of real-time and delayed-mode applications. Consistent attainment of high ascents should therefore be pursued across the GRUAN network and the broader observational network.
Publication Title Atmospheric Measurement Techniques
Publication Date Jul 7, 2025
Publisher's Version of Record https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-2919-2025
OpenSky Citable URL https://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7377f49
OpenSky Listing View on OpenSky
EOL Affiliations ISF, ISFSEC

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