Tracking Late Season Winter Storms; Unusual Early-Season Heat Wave in the Southwest

Heavy snow and high winds continue in the Great Lakes and Northeast. A moderate atmospheric river will continue to bring heavy precipitation to the Pacific Northwest and northern Rockies. A major winter storm will develop across the northern High Plains tonight into Saturday and rapidly strengthen as it moves into the Great Lakes on Sunday. Above-average temperatures expected in the Southwest. 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.

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