radiosondeequipped

Radiosonde-equipped is an attributive term used to describe platforms or instruments that carry a radiosonde, a small, battery-powered sensor package used to observe the vertical structure of the atmosphere. The radiosonde is typically attached to a weather balloon that lifts it from the surface through the troposphere and into the lower stratosphere, transmitting data back to ground receivers in real time or near real time.

A radiosonde collects measurements such as temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure as it ascends. Modern radiosondes also include a global positioning system receiver to determine wind speed and direction by tracking the balloon’s motion, providing a wind profile with height. Additional sensors may monitor battery status, dew-point, and, in some models, ozone or other trace gases. Data are transmitted via radio links to ground stations for quality control and ingestion into meteorological data systems.

Radiosonde-equipped launches are a core method of atmospheric observation. They are conducted by national meteorological services and research institutions, often from fixed sites around the world, with twice-daily launches common in many locations. The resulting vertical profiles, combined with surface data, support numerical weather prediction, climate monitoring, and atmospheric research. Radiosonde data are managed and shared through international networks coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization, and they play a crucial role in maintaining a detailed, global understanding of atmospheric conditions.