Radiosondes are atmospheric measurement devices that transmit data via radio waves to a receiver. They measure temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and more. Radiosondes are used in weather balloons and dropped from aircraft to monitor meteorological activity and predict future weather events. They were initially developed in France in 1929 and are a key indicator in weather forecasting. Upper air readings provided by radiosondes are used in the interpretation of thermodynamics, humidity, and temperature.
A direct descendant of the historic meteorologist, a radiosonde is an atmospheric measurement device that transmits readings and data via radio waves to a receiver. Radiosondes are capable of measuring a variety of atmospheric conditions, including temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, and more. The devices are used in weather balloons to monitor these conditions and have been in common use since the 1930s.
There are several types of radiosondes, each with different measurement characteristics. An ozone probe is specifically designed to measure ozone concentration levels in the atmosphere, whereas crude probes are only intended to measure wind direction and speed over the full range of measurements provided by a radiosonde. Most radiosondes are launched from one of more than 800 licensed launch sites worldwide via hydrogen or helium filled balloons.
Some radiosondes are dropped from aircraft, most commonly when the intention is to record conditions at a specific location, such as at the center of a thundercloud. These devices are known as dropsondes. Radiosondes have been routinely used to monitor meteorological activity and to predict future weather events. Their use in weather balloons and through the launch of drop probes has provided valuable data for weather forecasting and storm activity research.
Initially developed in 1929 by Robert Bureau in France, the name derives from two features of the device: radio, for the way information is transmitted from the device, and probe, which is a French word meaning probe. The Bureau’s design was not adopted as a standard, however, although the device name stuck. A year later, Pavel Molchanov developed and released a radiosonde that transmitted its information in Morse code. Using internationally recognized on-off text code, Molchanov radiosonde readings can be easily read and understood without the need for specialist equipment or individual training. The Molchanov device was used as the standard from which all future radiosonde designs were created.
A key indicator in weather forecasting, upper air readings provided by radiosondes are used in the interpretation of thermodynamics, humidity and temperature. Readings from these upper aerial locations can indicate upcoming weather conditions. Similar measurements can be taken in the lower atmospheres to provide indications of potential tornado conditions. These tornado prediction tests are routinely conducted in and around Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA during the March and April tornado seasons of each year.
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