Toward Standard Radiosonde Observations of Waves and the Mean State in the 30–40-km Altitude Range Using 3-kg Balloons

Abstract

Observations of temperature and wind velocity in the 30–40 km altitude layer have been sparse since elimination of the standard rocketsonde sounding network in the 1990s. In an effort to extend the vertical range of radiosonde observations into the upper stratosphere, experiments were conducted with a 3–kg balloon at Tsukuba, Japan on November 5, 2019. Using this relatively inexpensive balloon technology, four radiosondes were launched, with two reaching above 40 km altitude. These profiles were compared with satellite and reanalysis data in the 30–40 km layer, which showed an overall good agreement and an ability of radiosondes to capture shorter vertical-scale variations. The ability to quantify gravity wave parameters from the data is described, with application to wave events detected near 38–40 km. This type of balloon will be deployed extensively in an upcoming intensive observation campaign over the Maritime Continent, which will contribute toward achieving standard radiosonde observations in the 30–40 km altitude range. This system extends the ability to provide information regarding gravity wave and planetary wave activity upward to ∼40 km.

In-situ observations in 30–40 km using radiosondes with large rubber balloons around western Pacific during YMC-BSM 2021

“…To demonstrate the usefulness of the radiosonde observation data higher than 30km, we compared the observation and the two types of reanalysis data for wind velocity and between the observation data and satellite data for temperature. Here, we used the result that the wind velocity and temperature higher than 30 km from the radiosonde observations by Kinoshita et al (2022) and correct, and discuss how the radiosonde observation data captured this structure compared with other data. Figure 3 shows the time variation of the averaged zonal and meridional wind velocities at altitudes of 30 to 40 km around the xed-point observation period.…”

“…Th is report presented the initial results of radiosonde observations using large rubber balloons on board the R/V Mirai from June to July 2021, on the basis of the ndings obtained from high-altitude radiosonde observations conducted by Kinoshita et al (2022). To demonstrate the usefulness of the radiosonde observation data at altitudes higher than 30km, we compared the radiosonde observation data and two types of reanalysis data for wind velocity and compared radiosonde observation data and satellite observation data for temperature.…”

“…However, estimating wind velocity is still challenging. Under these circumstances, Kinoshita et al (2022) conducted radiosonde observations using a large rubber balloon on a trial basis to obtain in-situ observation data with high vertical resolution in the middle and upper stratosphere. They succeeded in obtaining wind velocity and temperature data at an altitude of 40 km or higher.…”