Re: [Phys-L] Hurricane "Sounders"

[Paul Nord <Paul.Nord@valpo.edu>]

On the recovery question, some fraction of weather balloon sondes are
recovered.  It's a little less likely if they come down in sparse
wilderness or in the ocean.  There is usually a nominal recovery fee of $30
or something like that.  A sonde that lands in the ocean is unlikely to
ever be used again.

Interesting footnote: long range weather models rely on soundings to get a
vertical profile of the temperature, moisture, and wind velocity.  There is
really no other way to collect that data.  It was once hoped that the
satellite imagery would greatly improve forecasts, but it turns out that a
picture of the top of the clouds doesn't tell you much.  From time to time
some politician sees "weather balloon launch" in the budget and makes some
statement about cutting out this antiquated method from the expenses.  And
then someone has to patiently explain that they still supply a lot of
critical data.

Paul

On Mon, Sep 2, 2019 at 3:46 PM Bob Sciamanda via Phys-l <
phys-l@mail.phys-l.org> wrote:

> THANK YOU, BRIAN!
> U R always helpful!!!!
> Bob Sciamanda
> Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
> treborsciamanda@gmail.com
> www.sciamanda.com
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 2, 2019 at 4:42 PM brian whatcott <betwys1@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> > A useful picture of a dropsonde is available here:
> > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dropsonde
> > Brian W
> >
> >
> > On 9/2/2019 3:16 PM, Bob Sciamanda via Phys-l wrote:
> > > I am intrigued by the "Sounders" that are dropped from high flying
> > aircraft
> > > into a hurricane to acquire meteorological data.
> > > Can anyone point to references re:
> > > 1) the aerodynamic details of the sounder design
> > > 2) the sensors employed
> > > 3) Are these sounders recoverable?
> > > Thanks
> > > Bob Sciamanda
> > > Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
> > > treborsciamanda@gmail.com
> > > www.sciamanda.com
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