National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Excessive Rainfall and Significant Flooding in the Upper Midwest This Weekend

Heavy to excessive rainfall is expected over the weekend across eastern Iowa, northern Missouri, northwest Illinois and southern Wisconsin. Numerous flash floods, some with significant impacts, are expected in these areas. Heaviest rainfall will occur overnight Saturday and Sunday, so be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings. Read More >

Upper Air Observations


Decoded Upper Level Winds

Plotted Upper Air Soundings

GOES Derived Atmospheric Vertical Soundings

Alternate Sources for Upper Air Soundings
Ohio State

California Wind Profiler Data Can be Found Here

Why Do Forecasters Still Rely on Weather Balloons?

Twice every day, from nearly 100 locations in the United States, the National Weather Service launches weather balloons, carrying instrument packages called radiosondes. Radiosonde sensors measure upper-air conditions such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction. The data is important for aviation safety, and meteorologists use radiosonde information to prepare weather forecasts.